10 Best Drugstore Highlighters 2024 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

The Makeup Revolution Soph X Highlighter Palette is a fantastic mix-and-match product that lets you experiment with 8 different shimmering shades. Inside you’ll find 3 pressed powders and 5 creams in a variety of hues to complement all skin tones.

With some of the most pigmented formulas on the list, this is a very practical and economical choice, and the perfect match for those who prefer more dramatic or creative looks. Have a go at blending them together for your ideal colour match, or double up as an eyeshadow! 

The Liquid Chrome Highlighter Drops from Sleek are not only affordable, but they come in 3 blendable shades to suit a variety of skin tones. These liquid droppers are great for creating a custom glow – try adding them to your foundation for a subtle shimmer, or mix them together to create your own unique shade!

Droppers can be a little tricky to master at first so if it's your first time using one we suggest adding a small amount onto a sponge applicator or brush rather than directly onto the face. They're well worth the effort, though! 

E.l.f cosmetics are known for their high-quality, affordable, and cruelty-free makeup that's available in a full spectrum of colours and shades. Infused with hydrating ingredients including vitamin E, jojoba, rose hip, sunflower, apricot, and grape oils their baked highlighter is one of our top picks for dry skin.

Available in three shades to best compliment medium and darker skin tones, apply dry for sheer coverage or use with a damp brush or sponge applicator for a more vibrant effect!

If you've considered giving strobing a go, check out L’Oreal Paris' Infallible Strobe Highlight Stick. The application stick helps you distribute pigment directly onto the areas you wish to highlight, perfectly defining features without the need for harsh contouring shades.

Part of L'Oreal's Infallible Shaping Stick range, this and the rest of the family have an exquisite creamy texture that simply melt into the skin for easy blending. And the price is pretty appealing, too! 

Sleek MakeUP has you covered when it comes to fab cosmetics designed for a wide range of skin tones. Their highlighting palette comes in four variations featuring a hand-picked selection of complimentary shades for pale, fair to medium, medium and dark skin respectively.

The 9 gram palette is also very travel-friendly and comes with a mini brush and mirror for those quick top-ups after a flight, during the day or on a night out. For a little extra drama, layer over Sleek’s Highlighting Elixir!

Bourjois Sculpt Light Highlighter is one of our favourites for adding a finishing touch to your makeup. For a subtle shine that won’t run the risk of looking greasy, dot a couple of pumps onto the high points of the face and blend out using fingers or a brush.

For people who don’t really do makeup, or those searching for a suitable highlighter for work, look no further – it’s so sheer we consider it one of the few universal shades that actually works on all skin tones!

L'Oreal Paris’ Glow Highlighting Drops come in two luxurious shades, Champagne and Bellini, for golden gods and goddesses everywhere! A little goes a long way with these, and when mixed in with your moisturiser they can also be applied to the clavicle and décolletage for an all-over glow.

Plus, these drops are infused with nourishing coconut oil for smoother application and blending. While this is a real bonus for dry, mature and combination skin types, those with oily skin may want to give this one a miss as oil-based products can have pore-clogging effects.

This cream based and long-lasting highlighter from Revolution comes in 3 different shades, making it suitable for a variety of skin tones. If you are looking for highlighter which you can use throughout the day as a top-up, this is a great choice as it will give a glossy and illuminated glow in a way which is subtle yet vibrant. 

Packaged in a travel-friendly retractable case as well as being easy to apply means that this product is great for on-the-go. Notably, some customers have stated that this product does work better on bare skin rather than make up, so you may want to keep this in mind!

Not all of us subscribe to the natural look, so for those who prefer something with a bit of an edge we recommend Maybelline’s Master Chrome Extreme Highlighter Powder. Available in 5 metallic shades, this blinding highlighter is bound to turn heads! 

The ultra-pigmented pressed powder provides incredible coverage to rival a high-end brand with just one sweep, and catches the light exquisitely. Unfortunately, the formulation of this product leaves it prone to shattering so you'll want to handle it gently, especially when you're on the go. 

This easy-to-blend and smooth highlighter from Wet N Wild infused with shimmering pearl pigments is not only a fan favourite but ideal for anyone wanting to create a glam look. A little really does go a long way meaning that it will be a long time before you hit pan. As soon as you apply this product, you'll get an instant, bright glow! 

What is also great about this highlighter is the price and the fact it is cruelty free. That said, there are only two shades available; blossom glow and precious petals. Additionally, this product is not suitable for anyone wanting a more subtle glow.