Highlighters bless our faces with a faux glow—the express ticket to a dewy, glazed doughnut complexion. If you're too lazy to go full-on glam, just sweep a luminizing product on the cheekbones and you'll look as fresh as a daisy. They also serve as a finishing touch to your motd—that sheen on the high points of your face really makes a whole lot of difference!
They come in different formulas: liquid, cream, and powder. Their payoff differs too, from subtle to blinding. That said, we rounded up the best highlighting products to try, based on the luminosity they give. We're pretty sure you'll find one to suit your makeup style!
Subtle and sheer (Level I)
This list provides you with the best highlighters to use for a natural, incandescent glow. Best for daily use and no-makeup looks.
Maybelline Facestudio Master Strobing Cream in Nude
You can use this on its own or mix it with foundation. This liquid highlighter will deliver the "just right" glow perfect for barely-there makeup looks.
Price: P399
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons
Revlon Insta-Fix Strobing Stick
This strobing stick won't ever make your face look oily and sweaty because it gives the right amount of illumination.
Price: P575
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons
NARS Highlighting Blush in Alabatross
While it may look white on the pan, this powder adds a silky glow to the skin. Thanks to its finely milled shimmer particles, you won't appear like you have chunky glitter on your face and your pores won't be emphasized.
Price: P1,700
Where to get: Rustan's The Beauty Source
Nudestix All Over Face Color in Illumi-naughty
This brightening stick is your best tool to achieve the "glass skin" look. Its formula grants your complexion a wet sheen, but you're guaranteed that it will stay on the whole day.
Price: P1,733
Where to get: Sephora
Benefit Watts Up!
You'll love how the light reflects on your cheekbones after swiping on this champagne highlighting stick.
Price: P1,900
Where to get: SM Megamall, Glorietta, Central Square BGC, Alabang Town Center
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Luminous Light
This warm-toned highlighter looks great on all skin tones, and provides the right does of radiance.
Price: P2,900
Where to get: Sephora
MAC Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle
Like its name, this veils your cheekbones with an undetectable brightness.
Price: P2,150
Where to get: Glorietta, Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Southmall, Lazada
Get That Glow (Level II)
Up next are the highlighters that really make you glow—the ones that will make people wonder why you look so dewy and fresh. You can build up the products' intensity, too!
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter
This delivers a lovely shimmer that looks great on morenas.
Price: P239
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons
Max Factor Miracle Glow Duo
This palette has matte and shimmer highlighters to suit your complexion's needs. Use on its own or mix to create the most natural-looking dewy finish.
Price: P895
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons
The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer
A cult-fave powder highlighter that's universally flattering on all skin tones.
Price: P1,025
Where to get: Beauty Bar
Laura Mercier Face Illuminator
This powder highlighter is available in many shades, but we're leaning towards two from its line: The shade Addiction bestows a gentle golden touch on the skin. The shade Devotion's pearly pink hue will brighten the complexion.
Price: P1,850
Where to get: Rustan's The Beauty Source
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
This powder highlighter is available in 10 different colors and undertones, so you'll find one that's suitable for your skin tone. It's pretty pigmented, too, so you won't need to put a lot, aka it's matipid to use!
Price: P2,235
Where to get: Sephora
Sweep this on the top of your cheekbones, tip of the nose and the chin.
Blinding (Level III)
These intese highlighters aren't for the faint of heart. The items under this category can be seen from outer space. Use with caution! But with a light hand and a fan brush, these highlighters can deliver the most ethereal glow you'll ever see.
Ever Bilena Advance Glow Out Highligher
Available in a champagne hue (Strobe) and light gold (Candlelight), these highlighters don't hold back. One sweep is enough to make your cheekbones pop!
Price: P299
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons. Lazada
Wet N Wild MegaGlo Highlighter
A light sweep of this highlighting powder is enough to catch the light. It feels silky smooth to apply, too!
Price: P499
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark
Sleek MakeUp Highlighter Palette in Cleopatra's Kiss
This palette both has cream and powder highlighters to answer your glowing needs. Use the creams on their own for natural luminousity or use them as a base to layer the powder for maximum brilliance.
Price: P875
Where to get: Robinsons Department Store, SM Beauty, Landmark, Watsons. Lazada
Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duos
Expect nothing but extreme glow from this palette! Use it on top of your blush to make your complexion appear brighter, too!
Price: P1,050
Where to get: Glamourbox, SM Beauty
Ofra Star Island and Rodeo Drive Highlighter
If you're a fan of the glazed doughnut look, then by all means, stock these powders in your makeup bag. Star Island's white gold shimmer is best for fair skin tones, while Rodeo Drive's deeper gold hue will work for morenas.
Price: P1,395
Where to get: Glamourbox, SM Beauty
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo
The cream-to-powder formula makes it easy to glide on the skin. Build it up from a soft dew to a supercharged luminousity.
Price: P1,950
Where to get: Sephora
Make Up For Ever Star Lit Powder in Frozen Gold
The micro shimmer particles are perfect for the lids, cheekbones, and cupid's bow. Use it sparingly, because a little goes a long way.
Price: Available upon request
Where to get: Greenbelt 3
Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit
These metallic highlighters will never disappoint. You can use them individually or blend them all together for an extreme radiant effect.
Price: P2,790
Where to get: Sephora
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