Best Highlighters 2017

It’s Valentine’s Day in just a week, and I feel like the winter weather has totally sucked my skin dry. I want to look my best, and have that glow, so at this point, I’m relying entirely on makeup to bring back a healthy, luminous dewiness to my skin. I think that there are two main categories of how to achieve this: the first is things that cover the entire face, and the other is makeup that spot-treats.

For Everywhere

Wet and Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana

This one is often hailed as a dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders ($$$), which I will say it is not. What it is, is a setting powder that will instantly take your face from matte to lit-from-within. I like to take this on vacation when I’m going to only be bringing a matte foundation because it makes it more flexible, but I also like to wear it every day that I feel I need some more glow. The package is also giant. I am never going to use it up.

Cover FX Illuminating Primer

I mentioned this one in my monthly favorites, so I won’t beat on about it too much. That said, it is my favorite primer. I have even been enjoying wearing it alone on no-foundation days because it makes my skin look even and bright, without any additional coverage.

Benefit That Gal Brightening Face Primer

On really bad days…when my skin is sallow, and dry, and I’m not feeling great, I break this out. It has a pink tint to it, which brightens up even the most damaged skin. A little also goes a very long way.

For Highlighting

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

I know that Jaclyn Hill’s Champagne Pop is the most popular version of the Shimmering Skin Perfectors, but I found that it just did not look good on me. Opal is vastly superior, in my opinion. I like the liquid version, and it looks fabulously natural. I find that to get that Instagram-level over the top highlighter, I have to really cake this on in an amount that I’m not comfortable with. It starts looking thick and doesn’t dry right. But there it is, totally worth the hype.

ColourPop Super Shock Cheek in Lunch Money

Okay, you want the Insta-highlight…this is it. I like this one, and I also like Flexitarian. With the unique whipped formula, the color payoff is instantaneous and dramatic. It’s possible to put this on with a light hand, but its real moment is being smeared on for the optimal disco ball selfie.

Pacifica Natural Beauty Eyeshadow Single in Ethereal

I like this one because it’s probably the most subtle highlighter that I own. It also is more cool-toned, which is a rarity in my collection. I use this one when I’m doing a cooler-toned look, or wearing an outfit from a cooler color palette. Pacifica is also naturally based and cruelty free, if that’s important for you.

Best of luck getting glowy this week! :)