Who doesn’t love glowing, luminescent skin? I know that I do. I originally planned on selecting my Top 5 Highlighters, but let’s be serious. There is no way that I could have narrowed down this list to just 5. As a freelance makeup artist that comes across all different skin tones, it is essential to have various highlighters that compliment all ranges of beauty. I also like to make sure I have different textures and formulas to alter the finish of look I am going for.

There are three different types of Highlighters: Powder, Cream and Liquid.

My Personal Favorite type of highlighters come in pressed powder form. I believe that they are the most forgiving, universal and you can use as little or as much of it as you like. They pretty much stay where you place them and you blend them to your liking. I prefer these powder products because they range from ultra reflective to a slight glow. These are also my preference to use on clients with oily skin. A matte face is usually the ideal look for someone with oilier skin and a dewier face for people with drier skin….you always want what you can’t have. lol. Even for my clients that want a matte look, you don’t want the face to appear flat. You want to add some “shine” or dimension to desired areas so that you face looks like skin.

Loose powder highlighters are also really beautiful. You can mix them with a light lotion and add a shimmer anywhere on your body. Mixing pressed powder is pretty difficult and you may end up ruining the powder of constantly chipping away at it. Finding an alternative product would surely be easier.

Liquid and Cream Highlighters are ideal for achieving a dewy finish or mixing with your foundation. Adding a drop or two of liquid illuminator to your foundation give you a fresh faced glow. Cream Highlighter are beautiful on the high points of your cheekbones because they give off a sheen, but subtle glow.

There are so many options and it can be overwhelming finding what products works best for you. Honestly, the only way to find out what you really like it to try it. Go into different stores and test out the difference finishes. I have swatched my personal favs and I have tried to categorize them by “warm” and “cool”. Although they are organized by what would compliment your skin tone better, doesn’t mean that they aren’t interchangeable. It is all about moderation, placement and occasion. It is just makeup….have fun.

Warmer Shades

Left to Right: Estee Lauder– Heat Wave (pressed powder), Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact-Bronze (pressed powder), Mac Extra Dimension Skin Finish-Superb (pressed powder), Fashion Fair Beauty Highlighter- Golden Lights (pressed powder), Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder- Bronze Glow (pressed powder), Mac Mineralize Skinfinish- Gold Deposit (pressed powder), Motives Bronzing Shimmer Powder (loose powder)

Estee Lauder– Heat Wave (Limited Edition)

This item is sold out. But you might be able to find it on Amazon or Ebay.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact-Bronze $44

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2334/8219/Makeup/Face/Bronzer/Shimmer-Brick-Compact–Bronze/index.tmpl#i.cdyi3d7wfcqsto

Mac Extra Dimension Skin Finish-Superb (Limited Edition)

Check Amazon or Ebay.

Fashion Fair Beauty Highlighter- Golden Lights $17

http://shop.fashionfair.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=3220

Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder- Bronze Glow $45 (Holiday Edition)

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2325/32733/Makeup/Cheeks/Shimmer-Brick/Highlight-Powder–Bronze-Glow/FH14/index.tmpl#i.cdyi3d7wfcqsto

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish- Gold Deposit $32

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/159/30735/Products/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish/index.tmpl?SKU_ID=SKU55527

Motives Bronzing Shimmer Powder- $17.50

Use code “makeupbydenise” for free shipping.

http://bit.ly/137Iqzq

Cooler Shades

Left to Right: Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation Illuminator (Liquid), Nars Highlighting Blush (pressed powder), Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder- Pink Glow (pressed powder), Mac- Center of Attention (Limited Edition, pressed powder), Gerard Cosmetics BB Illumination Creme (cream), Sigma Loose Shimmer -Ravishing (loose powder), Nars Blush – Satellite of Love (pressed powder), Sigma Shimmer Cream-Brilliant (cream)

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation Illuminator IL01  $39

http://www.sephora.com/aqua-foundation-illuminator-P383163?skuId=1553189

Nars Highlighting Blush- Albatross $30

http://www.narscosmetics.com/USA/makeup-cheeks-blush/0607845051312.html

Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder- Pink Glow $45

http://bit.ly/1wzYLJ5

Mac- Center of Attention (Limited Edition)

Gerard Cosmetics BB Illumination Creme $36

Use Code “MubyDenise” for 25% off.

http://www.gerardcosmetics.com/shop/face/bb-plus-illumination-creme.html

Sigma Loose Shimmer -Ravishing $12

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Loose_Shimmer_Ravishing_p/ls001.htm

Nars Blush – Satellite of Love $27

http://bit.ly/1yW5NKr

Sigma Shimmer Cream-Brilliant $16

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Shimmer_Cream_Brilliant_p/sc001.htm

These are the new Bobbi Brown Highlighters. Holiday Edition. Make sure to pick them up before they completely sell out.

Side by Side Comparison. This is a great example of Warm vs. Cool.

Bronze Glow (Left) vs. Pink Glow (Right)

I hope this list was helpful to some of you glow obsessed girls or if you have been looking for the perfect highlighter. I tried to find a link for all of the products that are still available.

If you want to see any of my other favorites list them below.

Thank for reading.

XoXo

Denise