15 Best Highlighters For Pale Skin In 2023
The best-kept secret to dazzling, rosy fair cheeks is right here at your fingertips.
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Experience: 2 years
Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
Image: Shutterstock
You always risk looking chalky and cakey when it comes to applying makeup. This stands true, especially if you have pale skin, and apply a highlighter. To avoid this pesky problem and ace the makeup game, you need to get yourself the best highlighter for pale skin. While pale skin looks fantastic when you add a dash of highlighter on it, you can always end up overdoing it. With the help of the right highlighter shade, you can achieve a dewy and radiant glow. To help you with your search and put an end to countless makeup mishaps, we’ve searched the far end of the Internet and compiled a list. It contains the top 15 recommendations of highlighters for pale skinso you can look your stunning best every time you head out!
In This Article
15 Best Highlighters For Pale Skin – Reviews And Buying Guide
Best Lightweight:theBalm Cosmetics Mary Lou Manizer - Mary- Lou
theBalm Cosmetics Mary-Lou Manizer is a bright honey-hued luminizer that works wonders for pale skin. A product trusted by professional makeup artists, this shimmer diffuses light to make your skin look smoother and younger. It can be used as an eyeshadow, a highlighter, and as a shimmer to add a subtle glow to your cheekbones. Available in 4 shades, it is arguably the best highlighter for fair skin as it blends just right with the skin and doesn’t overpower fair skin tones. If you are not a fan of extremely shimmery highlighters, try this glitter-free highlighter that offers buildable coverage. Watch this video of the product for more information.
Pros - Highly-pigmented
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Nourishing
- Skin-friendly ingredients
Cons
- Some may find it too powdery.
Quick TipBest For Sensitive Skin:Physicians Formula Powder Palette Highlighter - Translucent Pearl
The Physician’s Formula Mineral Glow Pearl Highlighter comes in a unique palette with multi-colored pearls that provide an instant glow and even skin tone in a single swipe. It consists of real mineral pearl extracts to create a luxurious and illuminating glow on pale skin. Additionally, the palette is specially formulated for sensitive skin and is recommended by ophthalmologists, dermatologists, and allergists. This drugstore highlighter for pale skin also comes with a chic ergonomically-designed applicator brush for easy and hygienic application. Grab this highlighter if you want to get good makeup for pale skin done. Go through this video review for a detailed understanding of the product.
Pros - Hypoallergenic
- Chemical-free
- Multi-colored
- Suitable for all skin types
- Blendable
Cons
- May not offer long-lasting wear
Best Waterproof:LIFUS Highlighter Palette - Highlighter A
If you like to rock a subtle shimmer on your cheekbones, try the LIFUS Highlighter Palette that consists of colors that provide natural radiance and a lasting glow. It offers seamless coverage without looking thick, dramatic, or cakey. The palette can be used for highlighting the cheekbones, eyelids, brow bones and the inner corners of the lips to accentuate your best facial features. So, pick this bronzer-highlighter palette if you want a luminous glow that lasts throughout the day. Check out this video for a detailed review of the product.
Pros - Waterproof
- Smudge-proof
- Soft and silky texture
- Light-diffusing pigment
- Shimmery
Cons
- Some may find the odor unpleasant
Best For Mature Skin:essence Pure NUDE Highlighter - 10 Be My Highlight
The hues of this highlighter pops on pale skin and leaves your face with a radiant and fresh look. Its baked finish and cruelty-free formula seamlessly blends with the skin for a subtle glow on your face when applied to your temples, cheeks, and brow bones. The best thing about this highlighter is its reflective surface sheen, which leaves a nude shimmer on pale skin. So, pick this one if you are looking for a multipurpose skin illuminator that also provides skincare benefits.
Pros - Natural radiance
- Vegan
- Rich pigment
- Long-wearing
- Ideal for mature skin
Cons
- May not be best suited for acne-prone skin
Best Shimmery Finish:L'Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter - Moon-Kissed
If you like to contour or highlight your face and want to uplift your facial assets, the L’Oreal Paris Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter is the one for you. It comes with a glowy highlighter, a blush, and a bronzer for a sculpted glow. This pale highlighter is available in 2 universal shades that are suitable for all skin types. The nude highlighter awakens the complexion and creates a multi-dimensional look ideal for special occasions. The Moon-Kissed palette offers a pearl finish and impressive glowy skin for cool undertones and thus, is a good contouring highlighter for pale skin.
Pros - Easy-to-apply
- Long-wear
- Shimmery glow
- Rich pigment
Cons
- May not be highly blendable
Pro TipBest Cruelty-Free:Milani Baked Highlighter- Dolce Perla
The Milani Baked Highlighter raises the bar for pigment intensity and illumination. Its velvety-soft formula is made with multi-tonal, micro-fine luminous powders. These powders blend flawlessly on your skin, allowing you to go from a natural glow to a high-impact look with a single brushstroke. The highlighter is baked on Italian terracotta tiles, so it imparts your skin a healthy warmth. It is made without any oils, so you do not have to worry about breakouts. Additionally, it stays on your skin for a long time.
Pros - Oil-free
- Easy to apply
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Chalky
Best High Impact:Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter - Prismatic Amethyst
The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter has a creamy texture that applies seamlessly. It is enriched with duo-chrome pigments that reflect light from every angle and give a sun-kissed look. The light pink color of Prismatic Amethyst is ideal for fair skin tone and gives a radiant sheen effortlessly. Its powder texture is buildable and gives medium coverage without being cakey. It offers opaque pigmentation in a single layer. Its consistency is soft, smooth, and easily blendable without being powdery. It gives a nice glow, perfect for that summer feel.
Pros - Ultra-buttery texture
- High-impact glow
- Unique formula
- Creamy finish
- Seamless application
- No buildup
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
Best Affordable:wet n wild hello HALO BLUSHLIGHTER - Highlight Bling
The wet n wild hello HALO BLUSHLIGHTER is a combo that effortlessly sculpts, highlights, and defines the face. This illuminating duo comes with 2 shades that impart an instant intense glow and blend beautifully into the skin. The buildable and soft shades enhance the cheeks with micro-fine and ultra-reflective pearl pigments. Furthermore, the product has a weightless texture, and thus, it feels breathable and smooth on the skin. If you have pale skin, make some space for this blush and highlighter duo in your makeup kit.
Pros - Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
- Pocket-friendly
- Rich pigment
- Customizable coverage
Cons
- Some may find the shades too dark.
Best Pigmentation:LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Baked Original Highlighter - French Vanilla
This highlighter is one of the best selling baked highlighters that seamlessly fuses with the skin to create a silky low-glow finish. This velvety soft powder formula is available in 2 shades to beautifully highlight and contour the skin. The best thing about this duo is that the liquid pigments are baked on terracotta tiles for 24 hours and hand-finished in Italy to create a silky and long-lasting powder. Furthermore, the powder is infused with antioxidants and white tea extracts to illuminate the skin safely.
Pros - Excellent pigmentation
- Long-wear
- Multi-purpose
- Lightweight
- Blendable
Cons
- Expensive
Best Transfer Resistant:W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow Highlighter
The W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow Highlighter imparts a buttery glow to your skin. It is perfect for both your body and face and suitable for all skin tones. It is infused with lightweight shimmery powders that offer a champagne-shimmer finish to the high points of your face. The formula is transfer-resistant and long-lasting. Additionally, this highlighter comes in compact packaging that is portable.
Pros - Easy to blend
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Buildable
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free
- Compact
Cons
- Some may not like the color payoff
Best Hydrating:Ciate London Dewy Stix Luminous Highlighting Balm - Natural Transparent
Highlighting balms are highly effective for pale skin tones and the Ciate London Dewy Stix highlighting balm is no exception. This buttery balm brilliantly blends into the skin and offers a dewy sheen that lasts for hours. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and murumuru butter to provide a weightless and natural radiance to the skin. This dewy wet-look illuminator spreads evenly on the skin and ensures maximum coverage and longevity. Additionally, the convenient stick is easy-to-use and effortlessly reaches the areas like corners of the lips, nose bridge, and temples.
Pros - Non-tacky
- Hydrating
- Brushless application
- Non-greasy
- Mild glitter
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Best Buildable Coverage:COVER FX Custom Enhancer Drops Highlighter - Celestial - Glistening Pearl
The COVER FX Custom Enhancer Drops features ultra-fine pearls that provide a luminous and flawless glow. For a natural dewy look, apply drops of the highlighter on areas like your nose, cheekbones, temples, and around your lips and blend them gently to cast a spotlight on your natural assets. These illuminating drops can be used alone or with a foundation for a metallic glow. The applicator is highly convenient to use and the drops effortlessly balance the skin tone. So, if you are looking for a versatile liquid formula to achieve flawless coverage, this one is a great pick and is one of the best drugstore highlighters for pale skin you can get your hands on.
Pros - Skin-friendly ingredients
- Easy on the wallet
- Long-wear
- Lightweight texture
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Some may find its consistency runny
Best Dewy Finish:Benefit Dandelion Twinkle Highlighter - Nude Pink
The Benefit Dandelion Twinkle highlighter features a unique baked technology that delivers sheer and feather-light coverage. This is a perfect nude light pink shade ideal for highlighting and providing dimension to the pale skin. It is infused with notes of delicate blossom and dandy daydream scent. It also comes with a natural and gentle applicator brush that seamlessly blends the product into your skin and delivers a dewy glow. The matte, twinkling pink shade is ideal for contouring immensely pale skin and looks breathtaking when swept on the cheekbones.
Pros - Long-lasting
- Rich pigment
- Easy-to-apply
- Non-tacky
Cons
- Not for those who prefer blinding highlighters
Best Highly Pigmented:COVERGIRL TruBlend Super Stunner Highlighter- Pearl Crush
With its intense pigmentation and luminescence, the Covergirl TruBlend Super Stunner Highlighter gives you the flawless glow. It is infused with intensely pigmented powders that blend seamlessly on your skin and impart a healthy shine. It has a high color payoff that is sure to turn heads. This cruelty-free formula is suitable for all skin tones.
Pros - Easy to blend
- Intense color payoff
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Highly pigmented
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
Best For -D Effect:evpct Shimmer Highlighter-B02
The evpct Shimmer Highlighter has five different shimmer shades that impart you a perfect sheen. With its fantastic shimmering effect, it gives your skin a radiant glow, and a three-dimensional look. The highlighter is infused with light-diffusing pigments that enhance your skin tone and lifts the look of your cheekbones, eyelids, brow bones, inner corners of your eyes, and cupid’s bow. The soft waxy texture of the highlighters glides seamlessly on your skin. It is waterproof and smudge-proof, so it stays on for a long time.
Pros - Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Waterproof
- Smudge-proof
- Gives 3D look
- Super shimmery
- Highly pigmented
- Easy to carry
Cons
- None
As we have already discussed some of the best highlighters you can consider for pale skin, let’s move to some pointers to keep in mind before selecting a good highlighter for pale skin.
How To Choose Highlighter For Pale Skin
Choosing the right highlighter for pale skin is no joke. There are several factors to keep in mind while selecting a highlighter for pale skin. Here are some of the factors that’ll help you pick the right one:
- The best way to choose the right highlighter is to pick a highlighter that is 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone. Bright highlighters offer a natural highlight makeup and radiant glow.
- Pick a highlighter with a subtle sheen that blends effortlessly into your skin. You don’t want an extraordinarily glittery or blinding product if you want a natural look.
- For pale skin, always look for highlighters with an icy silver, champagne, or pearlescent sheen. These highlighters complement undertones of your skin and provide dimension to your face.
- Avoid choosing the shades with dark red or too warm undertones. Instead, choose the shades with a pink-peach finish.
- Liquid illuminators with pink tones are best for pale skin. Avoid bronze and copper shades.
- If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, always look for highlighters with cruelty-free and fragrance-free formulas. Plenty of highlighters are tested by allergists and dermatologists so pick chemical-free highlighters with skin-friendly ingredients.
- It is important to keep your skin type in mind while buying a highlighter. If you have dry skin, pick a liquid highlighter to make your skin appear smooth and radiant. If you have oily skin, a powder highlighter will seamlessly blend and highlight your skin.
Highlighters come in plenty of shades and textures. One highlighter doesn’t fit all skin types, and thus, it is crucial to choose the highlighter for pale skin effectively.
How To Apply Highlighter On Pale Skin?
Pale skin needs both contouring and highlighting to make the facial features visible. If you are planning to use a highlighter, here is a step-by-step guide to use it perfectly.
Step 1 – Start by applying a foundation that matches your skin. Apply it all over your face including the under eye area and blend it well using a brush or a beauty sponge.
Step 2 – Dust some setting powder using a brush to keep the foundation in place and get rid of any stickiness. This is an important step, especially for those with oily skin.
Step 3 – Those with pale skin generally have a cool undertone. Pick a shade that is suitable for your face and contour your facial features. Make sure you make upward circular strokes with your makeup brush.
Step 4 – Get a highlighter shade that syncs with your skin and apply on the facial areas that need to be highlighted. Always move the makeup brush and make upward circular strokes. Do this for the middle of the forehead, chin, upper lips, cheeks and under the eye.
Step 5 – Set the makeup with a setting spray and look beautiful!
The tips for choosing the best highlighter and the guide to using it perfectly on pale skin are made clear in this article. The primary goal of a highlighter is to provide a dewy and illuminating glow so always consider factors like texture, type, shade, coverage and formula of the highlighter before buying it. The product that gives a light and appealing sheen to your pale skin is the right one. If you pick up one of the best highlighters for pale skin only with the idea of matching it with your skin tone, do not forget to match it with your undertone too. Choose wisely and get the glow you always wanted.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Srijita De, the author of this article, is a makeup enthusiast who loves creating well-researched beauty content for her readers. With extensive research on customer feedback, she has compiled a list of the best highlighters for pale skin, so you can glow every time you step out. The products recommended in this article are lightweight, long-lasting, and highly pigmented, ensuring a gorgeous shine with every application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you apply highlighter to pale skin?
Applying a highlighter on the pale skin is not too tricky. You need to highlight areas on which lights reflect naturally. Apply a small amount of highlighter on the temples, nose bridge, around the lips, on the chin, on the cheekbones, and the center of the forehead for an illuminating and radiant glow. Make sure that you apply a foundation before applying a highlighter to even out the skin tone and set a base for a highlighter.
Does highlighter make you look older?
Applying highlighter in the wrong places, especially on mature skin can make you look older. Don’t apply a glittery highlighter on smile lines, on the crease of the eyes, or the brow bone. Instead, apply it on the cheekbones and between the brows if you have mature skin.
Is liquid or powder highlighter better?
Both liquid and powder skin highlighters are suitable for different skin types. If you have dry skin, a hydrating and nourishing liquid highlighter is perfect for you. It prevents cakiness and blends efficiently with the skin providing a natural glow. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, go for powder highlighters that are non-tacky and non-greasy. Powder highlighters blend perfectly with oily skin and leave the skin with a subtle dewy finish.
Does gold highlighter look good on pale skin?
No, gold highlighters are not the perfect shade for pale skin tones as they are too warm. However, lilac and silvery-gold hues are perfect for this skin tone.
Does highlighter depend on skin tone?
Yes, a highlighter depends on your skin tone as it accentuates your bone structure and needs to fit in effortlessly with your natural skin tone.
- Best wet n wild Highlighters That Will Give You A Luminous Glow
- Best Highlighter Brushes For The Perfect Makeup
- Best Korean Highlighters To Achieve A Radiant Skin Instantly
- Best Drugstore Highlighters
