The 8 Best Liquid Highlighters To Make Any Complexion Glow

This versatile, buildable highlighter is a favorite of makeup artists thanks to its tiny pearls that reflect light and add a hint of shimmer to the skin. When applied to the high points of the face, it gives the complexion a subtle lifted effect. And the hydrating formula includes tamarind indica seed, oat kernel extract and glycerin. Celebrity makeup artists Suzy Gerstein and Kirin Bhatty like to combine paler shades, like Pink Moon and Cosmic Rose, with bronze tones for added dimension.

What our experts say: All five colors are flattering whether worn alone or combined for a custom hue. “I love every single shade and how well they mix with one another,” says Bhatty. “They’re all gorgeous on the skin.”

These lightweight bronzing drops from this popular Australian drugstore brand have a serum-like texture that helps them blend easily. Hydrating hero ingredients include jojoba seed oil, hyaluronic acid and soothing white tea extract. The product provides a natural finish for medium and deep skin tones but appears more bronze on those with fair complexions.

What our writers say: “I have a hard time finding a liquid highlighter that works well for me because I have large pores and acne scars on my cheeks that product tends to settle into,” says contributor Neha Tandon. “This is one of the first liquid highlighters I’ve tried that looks really natural on my skin. I put it on my cheeks and tip of my nose, and it honestly doesn’t look like I even have makeup on because there’s not a speck of glitter.”

For a luxurious option with powerful ingredients, you can’t go wrong with the Westman Atelier Super Loaded Illuminator Drops. The cruelty-free formula contains vitamin C and avocado oil, which work to improve skin texture and tone over time. It’s available in three luminous shades, and customers say a little goes a long way. Mix it into your usual base product for extra radiance, use it over foundation as highlighter or smooth it onto bare skin. 

What our writers say: “I save this for a fancy date night or when I just want to feel extra special,” says Tandon. “I mix it with my tinted moisturizer to make my skin look super dewy, and then I add more on my cheekbones, brow bones and the tip of my nose. If I’m wearing a v-neck or square-neck top, I’ll use a stippling brush to put some on my collarbones, too.”

Saie is known for its multitasking products that look and feel natural on the skin. The standout ingredient of this hydrating formula is glycerin, a humectant that helps smooth and strengthen the skin barrier. Gerstein likes that despite the rich formula (which contains several different oils), it has a lightweight gel texture. It can be used on both the face and body for a beautiful sheen and is available in two shades.

What our experts say: “I use this liquid highlighter for a more subtle effect,” says Gerstein. “I apply it underneath foundation so that the glow peeks through and just looks like radiant skin.”

This liquid highlighter from French brand Typology delivers a buildable glow that can be used for all-over radiance or a subtle highlight. The formula contains vitamin C to brighten and protect skin, while aloe vera fights inflammation and helps control excess sebum. Like other options on this list, it can be mixed with other products or worn alone for a luminous look.

What our writers say: “I frequently spend time in India, where it can get extremely humid and hot; this is the only liquid highlighter I’ve been able to use there that makes my skin look healthy and glowy rather than sweaty,” says Tandon.

Another favorite of Gerstein, this primer-highlighter hybrid is easy to apply and provides extra coverage for those who need it. It has a radiant finish and can be used as a base or highlighter, or mixed with your favorite foundation. (Gerstein prefers to use it under complexion products for a more subtle glow.) The addition of finely milled powders helps to blur imperfections, while glycerin boosts hydration. This product also has the widest shade range on our list, with 12 different options to suit a range of skin tones.

What our experts say: “Charlotte Tilbury has gorgeous highlighters, and I like that this one is pearly and subtle,” says Gerstein. “I apply it under foundation to mellow out the shimmery effect.”

The Armani Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer has five skin-enhancing hues, ranging from champagne to pink. “This was the first liquid highlighter I ever bought, and it’s always in my kit,” says Bhatty. And for those unsure about the wearability of some of the colors, Bhatty says the lightweight formula is subtle, sheer and easy to play with.

When Bhatty needs a more pigmented highlighter, she reaches for the Dior Forever Glow Maximizer. The formula includes glycerin and hibiscus extract, which soften and hydrate the complexion, while silica reduces the appearance of fine lines. Although it’s quite pigmented, users love that it doesn’t feel heavy, and the doe-foot applicator makes it easy to apply and blend. It’s also non-comedogenic and can be used on the eyelids for a wash of color.