If you’ve ever wondered how celebrities and beauty influencers achieve that lit-from-within glow, the secret lies in one magical product — the highlighter. Whether you love a subtle dewy finish or a blinding glow, a well-chosen highlighter can completely transform your makeup look.
As 2025 brings new innovations in makeup formulas, we’ve tested and reviewed dozens of products to bring you the 13 best highlighters of 2025 — all approved by professional makeup artists (MUAs). From powder to liquid and cream formulas, these picks guarantee to make your cheekbones pop and your complexion glow effortlessly.
Why Highlighter is a Must-Have in Every Makeup Bag
The right highlighter doesn’t just add shimmer — it enhances your natural features, creating dimension, radiance, and that healthy, youthful sheen. Whether you apply it to your cheekbones, brow bone, nose bridge, or cupid’s bow, it gives your skin that fresh, luminous look everyone craves.
Here’s why a glowing makeup look starts with highlighter:
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Enhances your natural glow and brightens dull skin.
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Adds dimension to flat or matte makeup.
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Gives a youthful, dewy finish.
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Works beautifully for both everyday wear and glam nights.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose your highlighter shade based on your undertone — champagne or gold for warm tones, pearl or icy hues for cool tones, and peach or rose gold for neutral tones.
The 13 Best Highlighters of 2025 — Tested and Reviewed
1. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Best Overall Highlighter
Half foundation, half glow booster — Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter remains unmatched. Loved by MUAs and influencers alike, this hybrid gives your skin that soft-focus, candlelit radiance without glitter.
Why we love it:
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Versatile — use alone, under, or over foundation
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Smooths skin texture for a filter-like finish
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Gives a subtle, natural luminosity
✨ Perfect for: All skin types seeking a radiant, skin-like glow.
2. Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer
Best Liquid Highlighter
Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty range continues to impress, and this liquid luminizer is a must-have for anyone who loves glowing skin. A little goes a long way — just a few drops give a glass-skin effect.
Why we love it:
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Lightweight and blendable formula
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Dewy, long-lasting glow
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Comes in versatile shades for all skin tones
3. Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
Best for Intense Glow
If you love to shine bright, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Killawatt delivers that next-level radiance. It’s buildable — from subtle shimmer to full-on glow.
Why we love it:
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Highly pigmented and long-wearing
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Works beautifully on deeper skin tones
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Stunning shade variety
4. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
Best Classic Glow
An all-time favorite, BECCA’s highlighter gives a buttery smooth texture and a natural-looking sheen. It’s finely milled, meaning it melts seamlessly into your skin without emphasizing texture.
Why we love it:
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Buildable formula with refined shimmer
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Long-lasting wear
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Iconic shades like Champagne Pop
5. NARS Light Reflecting Prismatic Powder
Best for a Natural Finish
NARS takes glowing skin seriously. This highlighter delivers subtle radiance without any chunky glitter — ideal for everyday use or minimalist makeup lovers.
Why we love it:
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Sheer, luminous finish
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Non-cakey formula
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Beautiful on mature or textured skin
6. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle
Best for a Subtle, Everyday Glow
A cult classic, MAC Soft & Gentle gives a universally flattering golden glow. It’s smooth, easy to blend, and perfect for that “I woke up glowing” vibe.
Why we love it:
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Luxurious formula with natural shimmer
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Great for daily wear
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Works on all skin tones
7. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Best for Airbrushed Radiance
If you love a soft, diffused glow, the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is a game-changer. Its light-diffusing technology mimics professional studio lighting for a flawless, radiant finish.
Why we love it:
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Ultra-smooth, finely milled powders
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Blurs imperfections and adds luminosity
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Great for setting makeup too
8. e.l.f. Halo Glow Beauty Wand
Best Budget-Friendly Liquid Highlighter
A viral TikTok favorite, this e.l.f. liquid highlighter gives you that dewy, high-end glow at an affordable price. Its cushion applicator makes application effortless.
Why we love it:
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Budget-friendly dupe for Charlotte Tilbury
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Gives natural radiance
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Blends seamlessly with fingers or sponge
9. Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
Best for Customizable Glow
This four-pan palette gives you options — from subtle radiance to high-intensity shimmer. Loved by MUAs for its blendable, luminous finish.
Why we love it:
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Versatile for eyes, cheeks, and body
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High-quality, reflective pigments
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Perfect for pro and at-home use
10. Glossier Haloscope Dew Effect Highlighter
Best for Dewy, Fresh Skin
If your aesthetic is all about natural beauty, Glossier’s Haloscope is a dream. It combines hydrating skincare ingredients with a soft sheen, giving a “just-moisturized” glow.
Why we love it:
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Hydrating formula with coconut and castor oil
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Gives a realistic, healthy shine
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Ideal for no-makeup makeup days
11. Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm
Best Cream Highlighter
For those who prefer glow without glitter, Patrick Ta’s Major Glow Balm delivers. It’s a cream-based formula that gives an editorial, dewy finish — perfect for photoshoots or glam nights.
Why we love it:
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Glass-skin finish
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Hydrating and smooth texture
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Great for dry or mature skin
12. Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick
Best for On-the-Go Glow
Effortless and portable, the Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick is perfect for quick touch-ups. The creamy stick glides onto skin for a soft, hydrated glow that lasts all day.
Why we love it:
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Easy to use
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Natural-looking dewy finish
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Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formula
13. Anastasia Beverly Hills Iced Out Highlighter
Best for Universal Glow
This stunning highlighter adapts to every skin tone, offering an icy champagne hue that reflects beautifully under any lighting. Perfect for both subtle and bold looks.
Why we love it:
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Buildable glow
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Smooth, luminous finish
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Long-lasting and photo-ready
How to Apply Highlighter Like a Pro
To achieve that glowing makeup look without going overboard, follow these steps:
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Choose the right formula: Powder for oily skin, cream or liquid for dry skin.
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Apply strategically: Focus on cheekbones, brow bone, nose, and cupid’s bow.
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Blend well: Use your fingers, sponge, or a fan brush for a seamless finish.
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Layer for intensity: Start subtle, then build up for a blinding glow.
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Set with a setting spray for long-lasting luminosity.
💬 MUA Tip: Mix a few drops of liquid highlighter with your foundation for a soft, all-over glow.
What to Look for in a Good Highlighter
When shopping for the best highlighter, consider:
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Finish: Do you want a soft dewy sheen or a metallic glow?
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Formula: Powders for control, creams for radiance, and liquids for glow.
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Skin Type: Matte powders for oily skin, hydrating balms for dry skin.
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Longevity: Long-wear formulas that don’t fade or crease.
Final Thoughts
Highlighter is more than just a makeup product — it’s your shortcut to glowing, radiant skin that catches the light beautifully. From Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic glow boosters to e.l.f.’s budget-friendly dupes, there’s a perfect match for every glow lover in 2025.
So, go ahead and experiment — swipe, blend, and glow your way to luminous perfection this year. ✨
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