Long gone are the days when glowy skin could only be achieved via the use of an ultra-shimmery powder highlighter. These days, there are many different types of highlighter that makeup lovers can choose from, from subtle liquid highlighters that add a natural-looking glow to metallic powders and creams perfect for a night out. If you’re unsure how these forms of highlighter differ—or how to determine which best suits your needs—keep reading. Ahead, we'll explore the different types of highlighter makeup and reveal how to choose a highlighter that suits your skin type, tone, and makeup preferences.
What Is Highlighter Makeup?
Highlighter is a makeup product designed to help illuminate certain features and give the skin a radiant finish. It's typically applied to the high points of the face, including the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, brow bone, Cupid's bow, and even the inner corners of the eyes. The goal is to draw attention to these areas, promoting a healthy, youthful-looking glow. While highlighter makeup comes in a wide array of shades, the most common hues include metallic tones such as silver, bronze, or gold
What Are the Different Types of Highlighter Makeup Formulas?
Highlighter can come in a few different forms, including liquid, powder, cream, and stick. Each type has its unique characteristics and benefits, providing different effects on the skin.
Liquid highlighter
Liquid highlighter is a versatile option that can deliver a soft, natural glow or be built up for a more intense shine. It's lightweight and easy to blend, making it perfect for achieving a dewy, radiant look. If you’re interested in trying a liquid highlighter, consider snagging the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow. While technically an eyeshadow, the liquid formula easily doubles as a glowy, blendable highlighter. Use one of the silver or gold shades for a natural-looking glow or highlight the high points of your face with a colorful shade for a bold pop of color perfect for a music festival or party.
Powder highlighter
Powder highlighters are a popular choice among makeup enthusiasts seeking to amplify their glow. They typically come pressed into a compact and offer intense color payoff and long-lasting wear, making them well-suited for special occasions that require durable makeup. They’re usually applied with a brush, though you can use your fingers to pat powder highlighter onto your skin in a pinch. Among our favorites in this category is the Buttermelt Highlighter, which boasts a smooth, buttery texture and won’t leave your skin feeling dry.
Cream highlighter
If you’re looking for a highlighter to use in your favorite no-makeup makeup look, try a cream highlighter. These buildable formulas apply easily, blend out beautifully, and tend to melt into the skin for a soft, lit-from-within look. We’re fond of the Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick, which features a creamy, blendable highlighter on one end and a coordinating contour on the other. For smaller areas, such as your Cupid’s bow, use the Wonder Pencil Micro Highlighting Pencil. Like the highlight and contour duo, this easy-to-use pencil is dual-ended and features a matte highlighter on one side and a shimmery formula on the other.
Stick highlighter
Highlighter sticks are a great option for beginners and those who prefer a more straightforward application. They're portable, blendable, and perfect for on-the-go touch-ups since you don’t need any tools to apply or blend out your color. If that sounds like something you’d like, pick up the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick. The twist-up crayon comes in six flattering pearlescent shades and can be used anywhere you’d like a little extra radiance.
How To Choose a Highlighter Shade
When choosing a highlighter shade, there are two main things to consider: Your skin tone and your undertone. Generally, it’s best to select a highlighter that’s around one to two shades lighter than your skin tone for a natural look (you can, of course, use a colorful highlighter if that’s more your speed—always do what makes you feel happiest).
For a flattering, naturally radiant look, your highlighter makeup should also match your undertone, which can be classified as cool, warm, or neutral. If you’re not sure what your undertone is, take a peek at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you’re likely cool-toned, while a greenish tint indicates a warm undertone. Those with a mix of blue and green tones typically have neutral undertones.
Highlighter for cool undertones
Generally, it’s best to match like with like. So if you have cool undertones, you'll want to steer clear of warm golden and bronze shades and opt for cool-toned highlighters instead. Silvery highlighters, such as the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick in Vanilla Ice Cream or the Buttermelt Highlighter in Bright & Butta, are ideal for those seeking a subtle glowy boost. If you want to try a colorful highlighter, we recommend keeping it within the blue and purple family for a flattering result. Try dabbing the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Blueberry Baller onto your lids, cheekbones, and Cupid’s bow for a glowy monochrome makeup look. Or, try the Buttermelt Highlighter in U Butta Werk for a flattering pearly pink pop of glowy color.
Highlighter for warm undertones
If your skin leans warmer, opt for gold, bronze, or champagne-toned highlighter makeup—these earthy, sun-kissed shades will accentuate your skin's natural warmth beautifully. Define your features with the Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick in Light Medium for a sculpted look, or craft a soft, natural-looking glow using the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick in Coconut Cake. If a bronzed look is what you’re after, snag the Buttermelt Highlighter in Butta in Bronze—the rich, sun-kissed shade is perfect for faking a fresh-from-the-beach glow.
Highlighter for neutral undertones
Those with neutral undertones have an equal mix of cool and warm tones in their skin, and as such, can pull off a wide range of highlighter shades with ease. Try the Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick in Rich for a bronzey, sun-kissed look, or make your features pop with vibrant, colorful shimmer. We love the Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Plum Player and the Buttermelt Highlighter in Butta Mint. For a more natural-looking glow, try the Buttermelt Highlighter in Glaze it Butta.
How To Choose a Highlighter for Your Skin Type
Just like choosing skincare products, it's essential to consider your skin type and whether it leans more oily or dry when selecting highlighter makeup.
Highlighter for oily skin
If you have oily skin, consider using a powder highlighter, like the Buttermelt Highlighter. These formulas can help give your skin a glowy finish without emphasizing texture or making your complexion appear slick or greasy.
Highlighter for dry skin
Generally speaking, liquid and cream highlighters are best for those with dry skin. These formulas are designed to melt into the skin to provide a radiant finish, and some even boast hydrating benefits. That being said, powders aren’t totally off the table for those with dry skin—the key is to prep your skin well and apply your product sparingly to avoid emphasizing rough patches or dry spots. Picking the right highlighter is essential, too. The Buttermelt Highlighter works well for dry skin, as it’s infused with mango butter, shea butter, and almond butter and glides on smoothly for a seamless glowy finish.
Highlighter for combination skin
For combination skin, you might get the best results if you mix-and-match your products. For example, you can use a powder highlighter on oilier parts like the T-zone (such as the bridge of your nose), and a liquid highlighter on drier areas, like your cheekbones. Highlighter sticks can also be a great option, particularly if you’re looking for an easy, one-and-done application.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the best highlighter makeup is whatever formula you like the best. Knowing the characteristics of different types of highlighters can help guide your decision, but when it comes to makeup, there really are no rules. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable and confident in your skin.
Next Up: Where To Put Highlighter: 9 Tips for a Lit-from-Within Look
We’d love to see how you get your glow on with your favorite NYX Professional Makeup highlighter. Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics!
PRODUCTS USED
Wonder™ Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick
Two-In-One Cream Contour Stick and Highlighter Stick
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Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow
Liquid Shimmery Eyeshadow
BUTTERMELT HIGHLIGHTER
Butter smooth glowy highlighter in eight shades.
Wonder™ Pencil Micro Highlighter Pencil
Dual-Ended Highlighter and Concealer Stick
JUMBO MULTI-USE HIGHLIGHTER STICK
Ultra-smooth, pearl finish stick highlighter
