10 Best Highlighters 2023 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Anastasia Beverly Hills has gained a bit of a cult following in recent years. In fact, the brand's Sugar Glow Kit has become one of the beauty industries' most loved palettes due to the versatility of its shimmers.  

A product that certainly lives up to the hype, this highlighter is comprised of 4 pink-toned luminescent pearls which can be used on the eyes, face and body. Another bonus is that each shimmer is on a removable magnetic pan, meaning that you can customise your palette!

Laura Mercier is known for their ‘undetectable’ makeup, and the Face Illuminator highlighter is no exception! The finely-milled metallic pressed powder is infused with prismatic pigments for multi-directional light dispersion, which creates a three-dimensional shine. 

With an exceptionally high quality you can detect in both the process and the product, the powder compact feels silky smooth to the touch and never chalky or dry. And with a range of 7 different shades to choose from, there’s a colour for everyone!

If you want an all-over flattering luminous glow, then this is the highlighter for you. This highlighter gives you a soft and subtle glow, for those no make-up, make-up days. It's also available in 4 shades, so there is something for a vareity of skin tones, from light to dark. 

It has a quick drying and vegan formula, which you can use as a glowing base under your foundation or the classic way on top to highlight your cheeksbones, nose, cupids bow or even your decolleté. 

Available in three rich and luxurious golden shades, Bobbi Brown’s Highlighting Powder is our top pick for dark skin. Pearl pigments gently reflect light for a shimmering effect that’s ideal for strobing. And not only can you skip over the bronzer, but you’ll be able to define the high points of the face while avoiding harsh lines.

Be aware that Bobbi Brown products are highly pigmented so you’ll want to start off fairly light and build up gradually. As well as this being a worthy investment, this means you'll also be able to use this highlighter as a metallic eyeshadow!

Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Beauty Light Wand uses an ingenious cushion-tip applicator that dispenses the product evenly for flawless all-in-one application and blending. It's designed to mimic candlelight for a flattering, soft-focus finish à la Hollywood’s golden age. 

Another convenient product suitable for both daytime and evening, the Beauty Light Wand comes as part of a range including bronzer and blusher shades, the likes of which you may wish to try together. 

Shiseido’s Aura Dew Highlighter is one of the best products for glamorous, evening looks. Inspired by the twinkling lights of Tokyo’s skyline, multi-dimensional glittering pigment pearls are suspended in a transparent base to keep you sparkling for up to 12 hours. 

Despite only coming in three shades, it’s one of the better options for highlighting medium and dark skin tones. Best of all, a little goes a long way, and we love that this product won’t sit in fine lines or cake, so it's great for mature skin, too. 

Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat Complexion Highlighter is our favourite product for precision application. The soft, brush-tipped pen is incredibly easy to use and great for brightening the corners of the eyes, or contouring along the cupid’s bow for a delicate, lip-plumping effect! 

While it’s perhaps not ideal for larger areas, such as the forehead or cheekbones, it’s perfect to take with you for a quick touch up during the day. It is also the perfect size, to slip into your bag. 

With the tagline ‘Supermodel in a Bottle’ the High Beam highlighter is one of Benefit’s most beloved flagship products. A good choice for a wide range of long-lasting daytime looks, it’s best used for achieving a youthful, dewy appearance. It’s compact, simple to apply and a little goes a long way.

Disappointingly, this particular product is only available in one universal shade – a light pinkish hue – that makes it only really suited to certain pale and medium skin tones. So if you have a darker skin tone, you may want to have a browse of our other recommendations.

Fenty Beauty's Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter is available in five different shades and is designed to create a high-shine and radiant finish. Apply directly to bare skin underneath your foundation for a healthy glow, or on top for more intense radiance. 

This highlighter has plenty of pigmentation so you won't need much to achieve a radiant glow. It also is a buildable shimmer which makes this product perfect for anyone who is looking to achieve a subtle glow or wants to create a more full glam look. 

Clinique’s Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlighter is a great option for bare-faced beauty – if you’re not a fan of foundation, you can use this cream stick highlighter to add depth and dimension to the face without it feeling heavy or overly made-up. 

Despite the baby pink hue, this highlighter appears sheer when applied making it suitable for both fair and some medium skin tones. While it may be a little too unassuming for some tastes, it’s hydrating, blendable and lasts all day.