16 Best Drugstore Highlighters For A Dewy Glow – 2024

Illuminate your face without burning a hole in your pocket with these highlighters.

Reviewed by Nyssa Green, Makeup Artist
Written by Baishali Bhattacharya, MA (English)
Edited by Srijita De, MA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Fact-checked by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant  • 
All products recommended on StyleCraze are independently selected by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through any of these links, we may receive a commission. Learn more about our product selection process here.

Do you wonder how celebrities have an extra-glamorous finish to their makeup look when they walk down the red carpet? The secret is using a highlighter. For an affordable option, you can start with the best drugstore highlighters. They surely help you get your celebrity-inspired makeup looks on point. A good highlighter palette enhances the overall makeup look and gives a flawless finish. The right highlighter shade can instantly brighten your complexion and enhance your facial angles. You can even use it on certain body areas like your collarbones and shoulders for some extra glow. In this article, we have listed the 16 best drugstore highlighters that work like wonders. Keep reading to find out more!

Top PicksCheck Price
Best For Daily Use:theBalm Mary Lou Manizer
Price on Amazon
Best Buildable Formula:Wet n Wild MegaGlo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter
Price on Amazon
Best Sun Protection:Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter
Price on Amazon
Best For All Skin Tones:Glossier Haloscope
Price on Amazon
Best Lightweight:Rude Cosmetics Baked Highlighter
Price on Amazon
Best Natural-Looking:Beauty Junkees Powder Contour Highlighter Makeup Palette
Price on Amazon
Best For Silky-Soft Texture: Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter
Price on Amazon
Best For Sensitive Skin:Maybelline New York Makeup Facestudio Master Strobing Stick
Price on Amazon
Best Metallic Sheen Effect:Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter
Price on Amazon

16 Best Drugstore Highlighters

1. Best For Daily Use: theBalm Mary Lou Manizer

4.4
theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter Image: Thebalm

theBalm Mary Lou Manizer is an illuminating highlighter that hits all the right spots and attracts everyone’s eyes. This versatile highlighter can be used as a highlighter, shadow, and shimmer. It diffuses light in a way that your skin will look softer and younger. The product will add a subtle sun-kissed effect to your skin and is suitable for everyday wear. The Mary Lou Manizer can be layered on the lids, used to highlight your cheeks, or used for an all-over finishing touch for a honey-hued glow. The long-wearing champagne luminizer will give you a soft, natural glow for everyday use. This video details a reviewer’s experience with the product. Watch it to learn more about the formula.

Skin Type: DryColor: Mary-Lou | Product Dimensions: 2.75 x 0.5 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces

Pros

  • Can be used as eyeshadow, highlighter, and shimmer
  • Ideal for everyday use
  • Long-lasting formula

Cons

  • None

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

This product has received 4,511 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.

2. Best Buildable Formula:Wet n Wild MegaGlo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter

4
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter Image: Wet N Wild

The Wet n Wild MegaGlo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter has a semi-matte, highly pigmented formula that illuminates your features like no other. The expertly crafted formula is buildable and made of powerful pearl pigments that allow you to customize your glow. The formula is enriched with grapeseed oil and vitamin E. According to online reviews, this budget-friendly highlighter blends easily and keeps your skin moisturized throughout the day. Take a look at this honest review to know more about the product.

Color: HALO GORGEOUS

Pros

  • Buildable formula
  • Hydrating formula
  • Glides smoothly
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter is perfect for beginners and experts alike. It has a doe-foot applicator that makes it easy to apply without the need of brush. It offers a natural tint and blends seamlessly."


Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The extensive 509 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.

3. Best Sun Protection: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter

4.3

The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter will create a covetable, healthy dewy glow. The highlighter gives a healthy radiance to the skin. It illuminates darkened skin and evens out the skin tone. The liquid highlighter is used in two ways. It can be mixed with a primer, foundation, or moisturizer for added radiance. “It’s especially gorgeous when mixed with darker foundation to give a beautiful finish,” says Emmy Award-winning makeup artist, Nyssa Green.

Or it can be used on its own for an all-over dewy glow. The liquid highlighter contains SPF 20+ that fights against harmful sun rays. The highlighter is formulated with antioxidant vitamins and anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients. These skin-loving ingredients help repair skin cells, increase collagen production that blurs fine lines, and promote moisture retention. Before buying, have a look at this video and a tester’s experience with the product for more details.

Color: Pearl | Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 2.3 x 2.2 inches | Weight: 1.6 Ounces

Pros

  • Illuminates darkened skin or deeper skin tones
  • SPF 20+ for protection against sun rays
  • Repairs skin cells
  • Increases collagen production
  • Moisturizing
  • Nice fragrance
  • Not tested on animals

Cons

  • None
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter
Best For Daily Use
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Hello Halo Liquid Highlighter
Best Buildable Formula
theBalm Mary Lou Manizer
Best Sun Protection
Skin Type DryColor--
Dimensions 2.75 x 0.5 x 2.75 inches - 2.3 x 2.3 x 2.2 inches
Weight 0.32 Ounces- 1.6 Ounces
Color- HALO GORGEOUS Pearl
Rating
Reviews4,51150984
Price$22.8$5.98$52
Buy NowBuy NowBuy Now

4. Best For All Skin Tones:Glossier Haloscope

4.1
Glossier Haloscope Image: Glossier

The Glossier Haloscope highlighter is a crystal-infused highlighter that contains skin-conditioning benefits. Beloved by makeup artists, this highlighter’s outer core is formulated with crystal extracts. These crystal extracts give an all-day glow to your skin. The inner core of the highlighter is oil-based and is made from a vitamin-rich moisturizer that hydrates your skin. The highlighter is extremely nourishing and hydrating. The product is cruelty-free and is formulated without fragrance. It is dermatologist-tested. The highlighter comes in 3 blendable shades that work on every skin tone, including dark skin tones.

Pros

  • Hydrates the skin
  • Nourishing
  • Cruelty-free
  • Formulated without fragrance
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Comes in 3 blendable shades
  • Suitable for all skin tones

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter is perfect for those who are after a subtle glow. It has a creamy texture and blends well. It gives the skin a natural glow without too much of a shine. It is perfect for every day looks."


5. Best Lightweight:Rude Cosmetics Baked Highlighter

3.9

The Rude Cosmetics Baked Highlighter will add a gorgeous, gleaming touch to your skin. The highlighter is a lightweight powder. It will give a sexy bronzed effect to your skin. The baked highlighter can be used to define and highlight your most desired areas. The highlighter powder comes in 6 different shades that suit almost all skin tones. The product does not undergo animal testing, which makes it ideal for people seeking ethically conscious makeup options.

Color: Gold,Bronze,Pink,Silver | Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 0.8 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 2.88 Ounces.

Pros

  • Lightweight formula
  • Available in 6 shades
  • Suits all skin tones

Cons

  • None
protip_icon Quick Tip
Dust a bit of highlighter over your matte lipstick. It retains your matte look while playing with the light for a plump-looking effect.

6. Best Natural-Looking:Beauty Junkees Powder Contour Highlighter Makeup Palette

4.1
Powder Contour Highlighter Makeup Palette ? Beauty Junkees 6 Piece Contouring Highlight Kit for Beginners, Concealer, Bronzer, Refillable Pans, Professional Paraben, Gluten, Cruelty Free Cosmetics Image: Beauty Junkees

The Beauty Junkies Makeup Palette is an exclusive contour and highlighting palette which makes it easier for you to recreate your favorite celebrity-inspired makeup looks. This palette makes the process of enhancing and minimizing facial features easy. The highlighting shades of the palette will lift and brighten your face with a soft, radiant glow. The palette is a perfect option for everyday use. It is cruelty-free and paraben-free. The shades are formulated so well that they blend easily without any trouble. All the shades in this drugstore highlighter palette offer a natural-looking finish. This versatile product is suitable for all skin tones.

Color: CONTOUR PALETTE | Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 4 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 6.4 Ounces

Pros

  • Blendable
  • Perfect for everyday use
  • Paraben-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Natural-looking shades
  • Suit all skin tones

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This palette is such a versatile product. It has a setting powder, contour, and a highlighter. It completes the makeup look in a matter of few minutes. The highlighter looks stunning and blends easily."


7. Best For Silky-Soft Texture:Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter

4.3
Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter Image: Catrice

The Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter is the perfect choice to add dimension and depth to your makeup. This luxurious highlighter has finely milled and pressed powder, which offers a silky smooth texture to the skin. It easily blends on your skin, providing full coverage and enhancing your complexion with a subtle glow and a metallic shimmering effect. This highlighter powder is available in two shades, rose and golden tones, which can complement almost all skin tones. It is a vegan and cruelty-free product.

Color: 020 | Supreme Rose Beam | Product Dimensions: 2.48 x 2.48 x 0.47 inches | Weight: 1.09 Ounces.

Pros

  • Oil-free formula
  • Blendable formula
  • Silky-smooth texture
  • Paraben-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Fragrance-free

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter is very versatile. I have used it on the cheeks and it applies smoothly. I love how it can also double up as an eyeshadow. It gives a stunning shimmer that lasts for quite a while."


8. Best For Strobing:NYX Professional Makeup Bright Idea Stick

4.5
NYX Professional Makeup Bright Idea Stick Image: Nyx Professional

The NYX Professional Makeup Bright Idea Stick is a complexion-brightening stick. The highlighter will illuminate your favorite facial features with a lit-from-within glow. The product is perfect for strobing. It comes in 8 different shades that go seamlessly on your face. The highlighter lets you achieve enhanced beauty as it brightens dull complexions with a luminous glow. This highlighter stick can also be used as a bronzer and blush.

Color: Brick Red Blaze | Product Dimensions: 0.99 x 0.99 x 3.4 inches | Weight: 0.21 Ounces.

Pros

  • Blendable
  • Ideal for strobing
  • Comes in 8 different shades
  • Can be used as a bronzer and blush

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter offers lovely coverage. It applies easily and blends seamlessly. It is great if you're after a subtle highlight. The formula is creamy and feels moitsurizing on the skin."


protip_icon Quick Tip
If you are in a hurry, skip the contouring and use your highlighter instead. Focus on your highlighting spots and it will do the job without the contour.

9. Best For Sensitive Skin:Maybelline New York Makeup Facestudio Master Strobing Stick

4.2
Maybelline New York Makeup Facestudio Master Strobing Stick Image: Maybelline
Now 29% Off

The Maybelline New York Face studio Master Strobing Stick is made with a non-comedogenic, lightweight, and creamy formula. The strobing stick is dermatologist- and allergy-tested. The illuminating stick highlighter is easy to use and is highly blendable. The highlighting stick gives a healthy glow and is designed to add dimensions to your face. This drugstore option comes in 2 illuminating shades – iridescent and nude glow. This statement-making, affordable highlighter stick is suitable for all occasions and all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Color: Medium Nude | Product Dimensions: 1.06 x 1.06 x 2.72 inches | Weight: 0.24 Ounces

Pros

  • Non-comedogenic
  • Creamy texture
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Allergy-tested
  • Easy to use
  • Blendable
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Long-lasting
  • Suits sensitive skin

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlight stick is so easy to apply. It is travel-friendly and perfect for on-the-go, quick applications. It gives a nice, subtle sheen. I love how it adds that dewy youthful look without being too glittery."


10. Best Metallic Sheen Effect:Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

4.1
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter Image: Maybelline
Now 18% Off

The Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter comes with reflective pigments for a metallic sheen effect. This high-end highlighter gives a chrome effect that will leave the skin with a melted metallic finish. The highlighter attracts light that helps accentuate and enhance your best facial features. It comes in 2 highly pigmented shades. Reviewers have noticed that they offer a reflective finish for a brilliant skin glow.

Color: Molten Gold and Molten Rose Gold | Product Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 6 inches | Weight: 3.5 Ounces

Pros

  • Gives a metallic sheen effect
  • Comes in 2 highly pigmented shades

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This Maybelline highlighter is highly pigmented. It is quite long-lasting and perfect for wearing on all-day long events. I love how I can build its intensity as per my liking. It gives a subtle highlight without an intense glitter."


11. Best Long-Wearing:Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter

4.3
Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter Image: Physicians Formula

Accentuate your features with this finely-pressed Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter. Its superfine texture easily blends with your makeup and delivers a cream-like radiant glow. The highlighter is enriched with skin-loving ingredients like murumuru butter and anti-aging peptides that add a shimmery glow to your skin and improve your skin’s tone and texture. The product is dermatologically tested and has been tried and tested for use on sensitive skin.

Color: Pearl | Product Dimensions: 0.89 x 2.38 x 3.63 inches | Weight: 1.8 Ounces

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Superfine texture
  • Anti-aging benefits
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Vegan
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Ideal for sensitive skin

Cons

  • None

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has gained over 1,519 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.

12. Best For Ultimate Glow:Technic Get Gorgeous Highlighting Powder

4.2
Technic Get Gorgeous Highlighting Powder Image: Technic

The Technic Get Gorgeous Highlighting Powder can be a good addition to your makeup routine to add a touch of glow and radiance. This powder has an incredible pigment and a metallic shimmery finish that gives you the ultimate glow. It has got you covered, whether you want a subtle natural-looking glow or a statement-making glow. The highlighter has a soft, velvety texture that blends seamlessly with the skin and adds a touch of glamor, and makes you look like a timeless beauty. It is available in a range of shades that can suit all skin tones. Moreover, ethically conscious consumers adore this product as it does not undergo any animal testing.

Color: 24CT Gold | Product Dimensions: 2.95 x 0.59 x 2.95 inches | Weight: 0.21 Ounces

Pros

  • Highly-pigmented
  • Blendable formula
  • Velvety texture
  • Metallic shimmery finish
  • Vegan

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter is quite versatile. It enhances your facial features by adding a subtle glow to the skin. It is easy to use and can even be applied without a full face of makeup. It is long-lasting as well."


13. Best For Dewy Glow:Rimmel Jelly Highlighter

3.7
Rimmel Jelly Highlighter Image: Rimmel
Now 1% Off

The Rimmel Jelly Highlighter is formulated with a unique jelly-like texture that feels light and smooth on the skin. It delivers a dewy, radiant glow that blends seamlessly into the skin. The unique bouncy and jelly texture is cool and soothing to touch, and provides a natural radiance. It is very versatile as it can be easily mixed with a moisturizer and applied to get a dewy finish.

Color: Shift Shimmer | Product Dimensions: 1.91 x 1.91 x 1.06 inches | Weight: 1.44 Ounces.

Pros

  • Water-based formula
  • Smooth consistency
  • Offers radiant glow
  • Blendable formula
  • Easy to apply

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This Rimmel jelly highlighter is so fun to use. It applies easily and blends really well. It looks natural and stays put throughout the day. You can even build its intensity as your liking."


14. Best For Natural Glow:essence Pure NUDE Highlighter

4.2
essence Pure NUDE Highlighter Image: Essence

The essence Pure NUDE Highlighter is a high quality highlighter that offers exceptional results and adds a natural, dewy glow to the skin. This formula has a baked-satin finish which enhances natural beauty. It comes in one shimmery shade, which has light-reflective properties and can complement all skin tones. It is a lightweight product that gorgeously blends with the skin offering a smooth and natural finish, and adding a natural luminescence to the cheeks, temples, and brow bones.

Color: #D3A996 | Product Dimensions: 2.87 x 2.87 x 0.67 inches | Weight: 1.66 Ounces

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • High-quality formula
  • Baked-satin finish
  • Blendable formula
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • None

15. Best Multi-Tonal:COVERGIRL TruBlend Super Stunner Highlighter

4
COVERGIRL TruBlend Super Stunner Highlighter Image: Covergirl
Now 48% Off

The COVERGIRL TruBlend Super Stunner Highlighter is an excellent choice to add to your makeup kit, whether you want a subtle glow or a dramatic, bold effect. It is a highly-pigmented, multi-tonal powder that can blend smoothly and seamlessly with the skin. The highlighter comes with a buildable shimmer formula and is easy to apply. This luminescent highlighter comes in three versatile shades, which looks good on all skin tones and can give you that showstopping glow.

Color: ROSE QUARTZ | Product Dimensions: 2.37 x 2.37 x 0.59 inches | Weight: 1.31 Ounces.

Pros

  • Highly pigmented
  • Blendable
  • Bold highlighter
  • Compliments a variety of skin tones
  • Buildable coverage
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • None

My Personal Experience

"This highlighter adds such a healthy glow to the skin. It applies easily with both fingers and brush and blends nicely. It offers a subtle tint that enhances my natural features."


16. Best For Beginners:AestheticaStarlite Highlighter

4.2
Aesthetica Starlite Highlighter - Metallic Shimmer Highlighting Makeup Powder - Cosmos (Sparkling Rose Gold) Image: Aesthetica

The Aesthetic Starlight Highlighter gives a dewy look to your face. The ultra shimmery highlighter glides on to your face and stays there all through the day. The highlighter comes in 4 different shades that suit all skin types. It is beginner-friendly. This vegan product is also not tested on animals, which makes it ideal for people seeking guilt-free makeup options.

Color: Cosmos (Sparkling Rose Gold) | Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 0.4 inches | Weight: 1.7 Ounces

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Vegan
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Blendable
  • Travel-friendly

Cons

  • None
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

These are the top 16 drugstore highlighters that you can add to your makeup collection. Based on their compositions, highlighters are usually available in 4 types. We have discussed them below.

Different Types Of Highlighters

  • Strobing Cream – These creams give you a natural, dewy glow. A strobing cream can be used as a highlighting primer and is perfect as base makeup.
  • Stick Highlighter – Just like a crayon, a stick highlighter is a shimmer stick that is applied with the help of your fingertips. This type of highlighter is excellent for people who are just starting their makeup journey.
  • Powder Highlighter – These are pressed highlighters that come in a pan. They are a staple for every makeup enthusiast and are very easy to use. Powder highlighters can also be used as an eyeshadow or to highlight the inner corners of the eyes.
  • Liquid Highlighter – A liquid highlighter is often used by people who have been using makeup for a long time. These highlighters are highly pigmented and look incredible when applied well.

There are so many highlighters that provide exceptional results available on the market. However, to make your cheeks pop, you will need something that will suit your skin tone. Check the below-mentioned points to find a highlighter that will look great on your skin tone.

How To Choose A Highlighter Based On Your Skin Tone

  • Fair Skin Tone – People with pale to light skin tone should go for a highlighter that has champagne or icy sheen to it. These shades will add a shine to the face.
  • Medium or olive Skin Tone – A highlighter with gold undertones will look great on medium or olive skin tone.
  • Deep Skin Tone – For a deep skin tone, highlighters with gold or bronze undertones work great. These highlighters offer a natural radiance.

Infographic: How To Apply A Drugstore Highlighter

If you are looking for a quick and healthy way to achieve a radiant complexion, drugstore highlighters are your best bet. With the right highlighter, your skin will look instantly brighter and more lively. Check out the infographic below to learn how to use powder, liquid, and cream highlighters correctly to enhance your makeup.

Tips On How To Apply A Drugstore Highlighter (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

The Bottom Line

The highlighting world seems to be getting innovative by the minute. There are too many products, and picking a good one could be challenging. For example, the theBalm Mary Lou Manizer delivers soft skin and youthful glow, the Glossier Haloscope has a crystal-infused outer core and a vitamin-rich inner core that hydrates and nourishes the skin, and the Maybelline New York Makeup Facestudio Master Strobing Stick has a non-comedogenic formula that adds dimension to your face and imparts a healthy glow. But remember this – you just need to understand your skin type, its undertone, your preferences, and your budget. Read the reviews online along with the above-mentioned descriptions. With that knowledge, you can buy the perfect highlighter! We hope this list has helped you with enough options. Pick your favorite highlighter today!

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I choose my highlighter?

Choose a highlighter that is two shades lighter than your skin tone so that it blends perfectly with your foundation. Make sure that you have taken your undertones into account while choosing the best highlighter. Pink highlighters are the best for pale skin with pink undertones whereas yellowish highlighters are the best for warm skin tones with yellow undertones. Also, gold and peach-toned highlighters work well on medium skin tones.

Is using a highlighter good for the eyes?

Yes, some apply a highlighter on the corner of the eyes to add definition to them and make them appear bigger.

When should I apply a highlighter?

Apply your highlighter after applying a primer, foundation, and blush.

Can I wear a highlighter without foundation?

Yes, you can apply your highlighter without foundation for a natural finish. Make sure to blend the highlighter well with your skin.

How do I make my highlighter last longer?

Layer your highlighter as much as possible to ensure it does not fade away. Use a good setting spray to keep the highlighter along with other makeup products in place.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup artistry. She reviewed many drugstore highlighters for this article and sifted through hundreds of user reviews on trusted online forums to bring the best to her readers. As highlighters are an integral part of getting that perfect airbrushed look, you can try these affordable and skin-friendly products to take your makeup game to the next level.


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