Highlighter Sticks: Benefits, Drawbacks, Best One

January 22, 2025 By Salva Off

Looking for the best highlighter stick to elevate your makeup game? Whether you prefer a subtle glow or a bold, radiant finish, there’s a highlighter to suit every need and skin type. From effortless balms and creamy sticks to illuminating powders and skincare-infused formulas, these highlighters provide a wide range of options for creating that luminous, lit-from-within glow. With products from luxury brands like YSL, Chanel, and MAC, as well as affordable options from Iconic London and Rare Beauty, you can achieve a radiant look that lasts all day.

Advantages of Highlighter Sticks

User-Friendly Application: Highlighter sticks are remarkably easy to use, making them an excellent choice for makeup novices. Their stick format allows for a straightforward, direct application to key facial areas like the cheekbones, brow bone, and nose bridge, ensuring a radiant glow with minimal effort.
Precision: Highlighter sticks provide superior control, allowing you to apply the exact amount of product needed. This ensures you can target specific areas with precision, avoiding the mess often associated with other forms of highlighter.
Layered Coverage: One of the standout features of highlighter sticks is their ability to offer buildable coverage. You can start with a subtle shimmer and gradually intensify the glow to your liking, providing flexibility in achieving the desired luminosity.
Durability: Formulated for longevity, highlighter sticks stay put throughout the day, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups. This makes them ideal for long-lasting wear, keeping your glow intact from morning to night.
Travel-Friendly: Compact and portable, highlighter sticks are perfect for on-the-go use. They easily fit into any purse or makeup bag, making it convenient to refresh your look wherever you are.

Drawbacks of Highlighter Sticks

Less Intense Shine: Highlighter sticks may not offer the same intense pigmentation as some liquid or powder options, potentially requiring multiple applications to achieve a more dramatic effect.
Not Ideal for Extremely Oily Skin: While convenient, highlighter sticks may accentuate oiliness, particularly in hot weather or on naturally oily skin, leading to a greasy appearance.

What is the best stick highlighter?

1. Effortless Glow: Ortega Ethereal Glow Balm
Price: $34
Perfect for those who love applying makeup with their fingers, Ortega’s Glow Balm gives you an instant lit-from-within look. Its smooth texture makes it easy to apply on cheeks, eyes, lips, and body, providing a radiant glow without any hassle.

2. Crystal-Clear Shine: Ami Colé Light-Catching Highlighter
Price: $28
This universal balm offers a dewy, radiant finish while nourishing your skin with baobab seed oil. It’s perfect for those who want an easy-to-blend formula for glowing cheeks or lids, delivering hydration and luminosity.

3. Best for Oily Skin: Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter
Price: $42
Designed to control excess oil, this liquid highlighter offers a metallic glow with marine actives and mastic that refine pores. It’s ideal for those with oily or combination skin, adding shine without the grease.

4. The Classic: MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream
Price: $36
A true classic, MAC’s Strobe Cream has been a staple since 2000. It gives your skin that fresh, glowing finish with a moisturizing texture that works beautifully under or over makeup, perfect for those who want a luminous glow without the powdery feel.

5. The 24-Hour Glow: YSL Beauty Nu Halo Tint Highlighter
Price: $45
For a long-lasting glow, this liquid highlighter from YSL stays put for up to 24 hours. With micro-pearls reflecting light and jasmine flower extract for hydration, it gives a subtle yet lasting radiant glow that won’t fade throughout the day.

6. For the Body: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter & Balm Duo
Price: $68
Designed for an all-over body glow, this duo from Pat McGrath uses nourishing ingredients like aloe and argan oil to give your skin a radiant sheen. Perfect for highlighting cheekbones, collarbones, or legs for a luxurious finish.

7. Powder Perfection: Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Highlighting Duo
Price: $88
Tom Ford’s highlighter duo offers a soft-focus gleam with iridescent pearls, great for sculpting and adding a subtle lift to your face. With a buildable formula, it gives a smooth, radiant finish that’s perfect for those who love powder highlighters.

8. Sensitive Skin Savior: Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick
Price: $48
Fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin, this highlighter is a favorite of makeup artists for a natural, glowing finish. It blends seamlessly into foundation or can be applied directly to highlight the face, making it ideal for those with skin concerns like rosacea.

9. Glow From Within: Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick
Price: $48
For those seeking a natural, dewy glow, this highlighter stick offers a beautiful, subtle sheen without glitter. It’s perfect for brightening the high points of your face and works well over makeup or bare skin for a fresh, radiant effect.

10. Affordable Glam: Iconic London Rollaway Highlighter
Price: $32
Looking for an affordable yet effective option? The Iconic London Rollaway Highlighter provides a smooth, easy application, offering a glowing finish perfect for any occasion. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a great choice for a fuss-free highlight.

11. Skincare-Infused: Saie Glowy Super Gel
Price: $25
Packed with skin-loving ingredients like papaya and rosehip, Saie’s Glowy Super Gel is both a highlighter and skincare product. Its refreshing feel makes it perfect for quick touch-ups, prepping the skin, or adding an instant glow.

12. Multipurpose Marvel: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Highlighter
Price: $22
This versatile highlighter is a multitasker. It can double as eyeshadow and provides a luminous glow with a light shimmer. Long-lasting and vegan, it flatters all skin tones, making it perfect for both a subtle and bold glow.

13. The Ultimate Glow: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Glow Stick
Price: $45
Chanel’s Baume Essentiel is a must-try for an effortless, radiant finish. Makeup artists like Tasha Reiko Brown swear by it, using it for clients like Gabrielle Union. It gives a luminous finish without the sparkle, leaving your skin looking fresh and healthy.

14. Soft-Focus Glow: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Price: $58
Known for its ability to filter light and blur imperfections, this powder palette from Hourglass gives your skin a flawless, glowing finish. Perfect for a camera-ready look, it adds a soft-focus effect that is ideal for any occasion.

15. Stick-Free Highlight: Refy Gloss Highlighter
Price: $28
For those who prefer a non-sticky formula, Refy’s Gloss Highlighter provides a beautiful glow without any residue. Its liquid form and topaz hue are perfect for adding subtle highlights to cheekbones, eyelids, and more.

16. Skincare Glow: RMS Beauty Luminizer Highlighter
Price: $38
This gentle highlighter offers a subtle, dewy finish that’s perfect for mature skin. It provides a luminous glow without being too shiny or glittery, making it an excellent option for a more natural look.

17. Best for Mature Skin: Chantecaille Liquid Lumière Highlighter
Price: $75
Chantecaille’s Liquid Lumière is perfect for mature skin, thanks to its buildable formula that blurs imperfections while giving a radiant, youthful glow. The blend of bamboo and pea extract firms the skin, making it a great option for a fresh luminosity.

18. Glow That Feels Like Skin: Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm
Price: $30
This lightweight, hydrating balm is a dream for everyday use. Celebrity makeup artist Jenna Menard loves it for creating a subtle, dewy glow. It’s perfect for layering or wearing alone for a fresh, glowing look that’s easy to blend.

19. Runway Ready: Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
Price: $49
Dior’s palette is loved by makeup artist Peter Philips and celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter. With ultra-fine mother-of-pearl powders, this palette gives your skin a luxurious, iridescent glow that’s perfect for those looking to elevate their makeup game.

20. Easy Application: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
Price: $45
Charlotte Tilbury’s fan-favorite highlighter wand is known for its effortless application. With seven shades to choose from, it allows you to create a glowing look in seconds. Just dot and blend for an instant, natural highlight that’s always radiant.

FAQS

How to Apply Highlighter?

The ideal method for applying highlighter varies with its texture. Creams and liquids are often best applied with fingers for a seamless blend, while powders work well with a soft, fluffy brush to create a buildable glow. A light touch with the brush ensures a gradual, layered application, avoiding an overly intense shine.

Where to Apply Highlighter?

Highlighter placement is highly customizable. For an all-over glow, mix it into your foundation. Alternatively, you can focus on key areas such as the eyelids, cheekbones, or brow bone for a more defined look. Popular spots include the upper brow arch, the tops of the cheekbones, the inner eye corners, and above the lip. A touch of highlighter on the nose can also enhance the overall brightness of the face.

Is powder highlighter better than liquid highlighter?

Choosing between powder and liquid highlighters depends on your preferences and skin type. Powder highlighters are ideal for those seeking long-lasting wear and a matte or satin finish, making them great for oily skin. They are easy to layer and control, but may emphasize dryness or fine lines.

Liquid highlighters offer a dewy, natural glow, perfect for dry or mature skin. They’re versatile, buildable, and can be mixed with foundation or moisturizer. However, they may not last as long on oily skin and require more blending skill.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your desired finish and how you want to incorporate the highlighter into your makeup routine.

Are liquid highlighters a good multitasker?

Yes, liquid highlighters excel in versatility. They can be blended with moisturizer or foundation to create a radiant base or applied directly to the cheekbones for a more pronounced highlight. The Light Glow shade, for instance, delivers a beautiful golden shimmer that complements various skin tones. Remarkably, it layers seamlessly over setting powder without caking, making it an ideal choice for enhancing your glow in multiple ways.

Should you use a highlighter or a moustiruzer?

While moisturizers provide a natural glow, highlighters take it up a notch by adding dimension and brightness. Highlighters enhance features and give a polished finish, from subtle to bold. With various formulas available, selecting the right one can be tricky. Highlighters are ideal for a more defined, radiant look, making them a perfect complement to your skincare routine.

What Texture Highlighter Should I Choose?

Highlighters from the past decade, known for their bold, luminous shine, typically come in pigmented powder forms. However, recent trends lean towards a more understated, natural radiance, with cream or gel-based highlighters taking the spotlight. These newer formulas offer a subtle sheen without excessive glitter, aligning with the “less is more” aesthetic. Your skin type also plays a key role: oily skin types may benefit from powder highlighters for their mattifying effect, while dry skin types can achieve a more hydrating glow with cream or liquid versions.

Does a micro-fine powder make a good highlighter?

Micro-fine powder highlighters deliver a radiant, wet-look shine without appearing cakey. Their finely milled texture allows for a smooth, even application, creating a luminous finish. A light sweep across the cheekbones, nose, or eyes with a fan brush provides a seamless, glowing effect, making micro-fine powders an excellent choice for a highlighter.

Which color highlighter should I choose?

Selecting a highlighter shade is a fun, low-pressure decision—there’s room to experiment! For a universally appealing glow, iridescent pinks often suit a variety of skin tones. However, for the most natural-looking effect, consider matching your highlighter to your skin’s undertones. Golden hues beautifully enhance tanned and deeper skin tones, while pinks and peaches are ideal for cooler undertones. Ultimately, the best shade is one that makes you feel confident and radiant.

Conclusion

Highlighter sticks are a versatile addition to any makeup routine, offering ease of use, precision, and portability. Their stick format makes them ideal for quick, fuss-free applications, allowing for a precise and buildable glow. They are especially popular for those on the go, as they are compact and easy to carry. However, they may not deliver the intense shine some users seek and can accentuate oiliness on certain skin types, making them less suitable for extremely oily or sweaty conditions.

When choosing the best highlighter stick, your budget, skin type, and desired level of glow are key factors. High-end options like the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand provide a luxurious finish with a blendable, radiant effect, making it a splurge-worthy choice for those looking to invest in premium beauty. For a balanced option, Fenty Beauty Match Stix offers quality performance at a mid-range price, providing a smooth application and a variety of shades to suit different skin tones. Budget-conscious buyers can turn to e.l.f. Cosmetics Monochromatic Multi Stick, which delivers a lovely glow without breaking the bank, proving that affordability doesn’t always mean sacrificing quality.

Ultimately, whether you opt for a high-end indulgence or a budget-friendly find, the right highlighter stick can illuminate your features, enhance your natural beauty, and fit seamlessly into your daily makeup routine.

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