14 Best Liquid Highlighters For Healthy Glow, Makeup Artists-Reviewed 2024

13 Best Liquid Highlighters in 2021

Image: MomJunction Design Team

The best liquid highlighters give a radiant finish and a gorgeous glow to your skin. Each formula is different but can help you achieve a dewy complexion and rejuvenate dull skin. Liquid highlighters are easily blendable and suit every skin type. Besides making your skin glow, they also help accentuate your facial features to let you look bold and confident. Keep scrolling to find our list of makeup artist-approved liquid highlighters that help achieve a healthy and glowy finish and take your pick.

Top Picks

In This Article

14 Best Liquid Highlighters For A Healthy Glow In 2024

1. Best Pigmentation: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Liquid Highlighter

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Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The 7,109 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.

Wet n Wild’s intensely pigmented formula is touted for its multi-dimensional shimmer effect. Formulated with micro-fine pearl pigments, murumuru seed butter, and vitamin E, this professional-grade liquid highlighter palette provides a smooth and delicate texture. It ensures an intense makeup look with a multi-shimmer glow. The grapeseed oil and other effective ingredients hydrate and smoothen the skin’s texture, giving you a radiant glow. Check out the video review here to learn more about how the product works.

Color: 2- Highlight Bling | Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 3.35 x 0.47 inches | Weight: 1.92 Ounces.

Pros

  • Helps sculpt, define, and highlight high points
  • Suitable for all ages and skin tones
  • Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly
  • Buildable coverage

Cons

  • Some may find it a little too shimmery
  • May crumble over time

2. Best Long-Lasting: Elizabeth Mott Show Me Your Glow Shimmer Shadow And Highlighter

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4.1
Elizabeth Mott Show Me Your Glow Shimmer Shadow And Highlighter Image: Elizabeth Mott

Elizabeth Mott Show Me Your Glow Shimmer Shadow And Highlighter is a versatile product that can add a subtle shimmer and glow to your eyes, cheekbones, and other facial features. The long-lasting liquid highlighter has a creamy texture that glides on smoothly and evenly and comes in multiple shades to suit different skin tones. Whether you’re going for a natural daytime look or a more dramatic nighttime look, it can give you visible results and help you flaunt that perfect look.

Product Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 1.76 Ounces

Pros

  • Safe and gentle on the skin
  • Easy to blend
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Cruelty-free and vegan

Cons

  • May not be suitable for very oily skin
  • limited shade range

3. Best Two-In-One: Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronze

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3.8
Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow Bronze Image: Pai Skincare

Use this two-in-one glow bronze by Pai Skincare as a highlighter or add it to your body cream for an instant glow. Besides boosting luminosity, the liquid highlighter drop also hydrates and keeps your skin soft. Infused with hyaluronic acid, sea kelp, mica, and lemon fruit water, the bronze drops offer several skincare benefits, including brightening your skin, keeping it moisturized for a long duration, protecting the skin from losing hydration, and offering a deeper level of radiance. Additionally, you may also add these drops to a moisturizer or SPF-based lotions or creams.

Skin Type: All

Pros

  • Vegan-friendly
  • Blends well
  • Smooth texture
  • Free of parabens, GMOs, artificial colors, and dyes
  • Formulated with clean ingredients
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • Consistency may be watery

Our Reviewer's Experience

"This liquid highlighter blends seamlessly on my skin, giving it a subtle bronze finish. The texture is silky, leaving a soft, sun-kissed radiance that looks great under both natural and artificial light. Additionally, application and removal are easy. I'm very happy with this clean, effective product."


protip_icon Quick tip
Cool-toned highlighters may make deeper skin tones look ashy. Darker skin looks best with warm gold-toned highlighters, and pink-toned highlighters work wonderfully for light skin.

4. Best Silky: Maybelline New York Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter

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4.3
Maybelline New York Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter Image: Maybelline New York
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Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product boasts 742 reviews on Amazon, and many buyers have said they would purchase the product again.

The Maybelline New York illuminating liquid highlighter is a multi-functional illuminator that delivers diffused and overall highlighting for the ultimate glow. The silky formula with micro-fine pearls glides onto your skin and helps you enhance your features in multiple ways. It is available in varying shades for different skin tones and helps spotlight high points.

Color: Light Iridescent | Product Dimensions: 1.97 x 0.75 x 4.02 inches | Weight: 0.71 Ounces

Pros

  • Delivers results instantly
  • Can give a strobing effect
  • A little goes a long way
  • Can be worn with foundation

Cons

  • Tube may be tiny
  • May be slightly darker than you expect
My Personal Experience

"This liquid highlighter gives me a natural, subtle glow and not the flashy Instagram highlight that doesn't suit my makeup style. It's easy to apply with my beauty blender and lasts all day. It's also great for layering a powder highlight for a more pronounced effect if desired."

5. Best With Featherlight Texture: The Beauty Crop Glow Milk Liquid Highlighter

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4.3
The Beauty Crop Glow Milk Liquid Highlighter Image: The Beauty Crop

Include this liquid highlighter by The Beauty Crop in your makeup kit for a healthy, dewy glow. Packed with coconut and argan oil, this liquid highlighter smoothens and hydrates the skin. It also minimizes aging signs by offering the right radiance. In addition, the highlighter creates a dreamy and dewy look. According to the testers’ experiences, the smooth texture of the Glow milk glides effortlessly on the skin. Take a look at the review video to learn about the application process.

Color: Silver

Pros

  • Featherlight texture
  • Long-lasting formula
  • Easy to use
  • Doesn’t have glitter particles
  • Does not feel sticky
  • Moisturizing formula

Cons

  • Bottle size may be smaller than expected
  • May not blend with moisturizers

Our Reviewer's Experience

"Using the right amount of these highlighting drops transforms my skin to a sun-kissed glow. I quickly fell for this highlighter and have used it daily for three years. The applicator can be slightly messy, so I refrain from carrying it while traveling. The formula though, is great for my skin, and I recommend it!"


6. Best Fragrance-Free: Perricone MD No Makeup Highlighter

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4.2
Perricone MD No Makeup Highlighter Image: Perricone Md

Infused with Chinese ginger plant extract and vitamin C Ester, the Perricone MD highlighter gets rid of dull skin and illuminates your skin, and these ingredients minimize the skin’s discoloration gradually. In addition, the tried-and-tested highlighter is scientifically formulated with light-reflecting pigment pearls, which evens out the skin tone. The blendable formula ensures even application, and you may apply this dewy liquid highlighter independently or mix it with a moisturizer.

Color: Silver | Product Dimensions: 1.44 x 1.31 x 4.06 inches | Weight: 0.3 Ounces.

Pros

  • Has lightweight consistency
  • Offers good coverage
  • Does not feel patchy
  • Fragrance-free formula

Cons

  • Shade may differ slightly
  • Quantity may be lesser than expected
Our Reviewer's Experience

"I'm glad I found this product. It adds a subtle, natural glow to my skin and is great for daily use. The highlighter blends easily and gives me a refreshed look, even when I'm pinched for time. It's a good staple for a minimal yet dewy makeup routine."

protip_icon Beauty tip
If your skin looks too oily or shiny after using a liquid highlighter, lightly apply some translucent powder to your face with a fluffy brush to diffuse it.

7. Best For Dewy Texture: E.L.F. Beautifully Bare Liquid Highlighter

With illuminating pigments proven to deliver visible results, this liquid highlighter offers a glowing and dewy complexion. You can use its pearlescent drops for strobing and highlighting and achieving a smoother skin texture. Enriched with vitamin E, this liquid highlighter is perfect for all skin types and tones. You can have a look at this video review and tutorial to know how the highlighter works.

Color: Silver | Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 1.35 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 0.88 Ounces

Pros

  • Offers a subtle shine
  • Rich in antioxidant properties
  • Stays on the skin for long
  • A little goes a long way
  • Gives a natural-looking glow

Cons

  • May be slightly watery

Our Reviewer's Experience

"I enjoy using this illuminator. It lends a natural dewy glow to the skin. You can also apply it as a primer, under the foundation, as it leaves the skin looking healthy and radiant. Though some might prefer a more glittery finish, I love the soft glow that lasts all night."


8. Best For UV Protection: Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter

Formulated with clean ingredients, the vegan liquid highlighter is a mix of organic and natural botanicals that has proven efficacy in offering a brightening and naturally dewy glow. Its serum-like consistency melts into the skin and ensures freshness with a soft touch and metallic glow. It also helps protect the skin from pollution and UV light. This highlighter is free of gluten, parabens, silicone, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic dyes, and artificial fragrances.

Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Dry, Normal

Pros

  • Hydrolyzed algae helps control oil and bacteria
  • Quick-drying formula
  • Can be applied with a brush
  • Cruelty-free
  • Available in three colors

Cons

  • Tube may be smaller than expected
  • Some may not like watery texture
My Personal Experience

"I love the weightless feel of this product on my skin and its illuminating properties. Mix it with moisturizer, and the dewy look lasts even longer. And just one pump goes a long way and ensures long-lasting use."

9. Best With Super-Fine Pearls:Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer

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4.4
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Image: Rare Beauty

Nourish your skin and get an instant glow with this celebrity-endorsed highlighter by Rare Beauty. A personal favorite of celebrity makeup artists, this highlighter comes with a blendable formula, making it suitable for sensitive skin and other skin types. It layers well on the existing makeup without creasing. Additionally, with the botanical blend of white water lily, gardenia, and lotus, the glow-enhancing liquid highlighter helps achieve smooth skin. Use it on dry skin to get visible results.

Color: Enchant

Pros

  • Offers light coverage
  • Infused with super-fine pearls for a natural shine
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Long-wearing formula
  • Comes with a convenient applicator
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Paraben-free

Cons

  • May be less suitable for wrinkled skin
  • Quantity may be lesser than expected

Our Reviewer's Experience

"The product's light formula offers a subtle shine and natural dewy glow. Although the wand could be better, blending it out provides great results. It can tend to look flaky if your skin isn’t properly hydrated, but when applied right, it gives a smoother, youthful appearance. It's great for long-term use, but don't overdo it as the pigment is blinding."


protip_icon Point to consider
Identify your skin type before picking a liquid highlighter so the formulation of the product works well with your specific skin concerns.

10. Best For All Skin Tones: Petansy Teayason Liquid Highlighter

A must-have for your makeup kit, the liquid highlighter is a skin-enhancing formula with a smooth texture and buildable coverage. It helps provide a realistic shape and an intense look. Several reviewers say it is easily mixable and shines instantly while radiating the face and delivering an HD-shimmer effect. The fluorescent pigments of this liquid highlighter give the skin a moist and radiant look without any dryness. It works well for all skin tones and types. The buildable liquid highlighter formula also helps remove dark, uneven, pale, and lifeless shadows.

Pros

  • Lightweight formula
  • Comes in a portable bottle
  • Easy to mix with foundation
  • Can be used for stroboscopy and highlighting

Cons

  • Tubes may be tiny
  • May have a watery consistency

11. Best Blendable: Juicy Couture Bling Queen Liquid highlighter

Juicy Couture brings you this exclusive wear-it-everywhere liquid highlighter so that you can recreate your favorite celebrity-inspired look. It is a smooth, blendable, and buildable formula that helps you accentuate your facial features and highlight your sharper features. You can easily apply it over your cheekbone, eyes, or anywhere you want with your index finger and blend gently to get a perfectly shiny texture.

Color: Give It A Glow | Product Dimensions: 0.69 x 1.38 x 4.63 inches | Weight: 2.08 Ounces.

Pros

  • Suitable for party looks
  • A little goes a long way
  • Easy to control the level of glow
  • Apt for creating a lit-from-within effect

Cons

  • Some may find it a little too shimmery
Our Reviewer's Experience

"The Juicy Couture Bling highlighter is indeed a touch of bling! Its creamy, rose gold color blends smoothly, and a tiny amount goes a long way. The product doubles as a cream eyeshadow, which has worked well for me. Great for a natural, peachy glow, this product is a staple for me now."

12. Best Dermatologist-Tested:L’Oreal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer

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4.5

Obtain a gorgeous glow with this glow enhancer by L’Oreal Paris. You may use this glow enhancer as a highlighter, to contour cheeks, or for an overall glow. Infused with glycerin and shea butter, this enhancer ensures continuous hydration. Wear it alone or blend it under the foundation for the desired look.

Skin Type: Normal | Color: Medium | Product Dimensions: 1.22 x 1.22 x 5.2 inches | Weight: 1.78 Ounces

Pros

  • Feels lightweight on the skin
  • Fragrance-free
  • Non-sticky formula
  • Available in four shades
  • Dermatologist-tested

Cons

  • May be less suitable for oily skin
  • May not offer full coverage
Our Reviewer's Experience

"The coverage can seem light to some, but it is buildable. This formula is suitable for daily use with your sunscreen, as it creates a naturally sun-kissed look without appearing artificial."

13. Best Buildable Formula: Iman Cosmetics Luxury Liquid Illuminator

Hop on to the glass skin trend with this multi-purpose liquid highlighter by Iman Cosmetics, which is buildable and helps you highlight your sharper features. It results in iconic and radiant skin for every skin tone and type. One to two drops of this radiant liquid highlighter is all you need to achieve a subtle glow.

Pros

  • Easy to customize
  • Suitable for eyes, cheeks, and lips
  • Can be used with any beauty tool
  • Comes in three types of shades

Cons

  • May have a slightly thick consistency

14. Best With Shimmery Finish:Milani Strobe Light Liquid Highlighter

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4.2
Milani Strobe Light Liquid Highlighter Image: Milani Strobe
Now 10% Off
*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.

Pamper your skin with the Milani Strobe shimmery liquid highlighter. You may apply this highlighter independently on the targeted areas or blend it with your foundation to obtain radiance all over your face. The unique formula offers an impeccable shine and shimmer and makes the skin look dewy and healthy. In addition, the micro-pearl beads ensure easy blending.

Color: 02 Day Glow | Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 1 x 4.75 inches | Weight: 0.81 Ounces.

Pros

  • Little goes a long way
  • Has no glitter particles
  • Cruelty-free liquid highlighter
  • Works great for medium to dark skin tones

Cons

  • May be less suitable for sensitive skin
  • Consistency may be slightly runny
Our Reviewer's Experience

"This highlighter is easy to use and also easy to remove. It gives my skin a beautiful, radiant look. The soft gold sheen, minus the sparkles, make it a versatile addition to any look. You may have to reapply it occasionally through the day, but the warm glow makes it worth it."

How To Choose The Right Liquid Highlighter?

Here are some factors you should consider while buying a liquid highlighter for your skin.

  1. Skin type: Pick a liquid highlighter based on your skin type and tone. It will help if you pick a hydrating highlighter in a liquid or creamy formula.
  1. Skin pores: If you have larger pores, pick a thicker highlighter to cover the pores perfectly and provide a smoother texture to your skin.
  1. Shade: Highlighters come mainly in two shades: pink and peach. A pink-colored highlighter is perfect for pale to light skin tones and even a medium skin tone. For medium to dark skin tones, highlighters with peach and gold shades are ideal.
  1. Ingredients: Check the ingredients before buying a liquid highlighter to protect your skin from allergies. Choose highlighters validated by leading dermatologists and with natural, clean ingredients, as they have numerous skincare benefits and no side effects on the skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How should I use a liquid highlighter?

Get a pea-sized drop of liquid highlighter on your finger. Dab the highlighter on your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, and nose bridge for an instant glow. Finally, blend the applied highlighter using your fingertips or a soft makeup sponge.

2. Should I apply a liquid highlighter before the foundation?

Liquid highlighters break down the foundation. Therefore, it is advisable to use a highlighter before applying foundation or mix a few drops of it with some moisturizer and apply it along with the makeup.

3. How long does a liquid highlighter last after application?

Depending on the brand, water- and sweat-proof highlighters can last up to twelve hours without fading or smudging.

4. Should I apply a highlighter over a concealer?

It can be better to apply a highlighter after concealing any existing spots and blemishes. Using a highlighter on natural skin can make skin imperfections stand out even more.

5. Are liquid highlighters washable?

You can remove liquid highlighters from your face with regular or oil-based makeup removers. However, if you need to remove highlighter stains from clothes, you can spot-clean with dish soap or detergent and warm water.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Poulami Nag, our in-house content writer and editor, loves all things skincare, beauty, and fashion. She likes testing new makeup products and experimenting with new looks. To bring you this specially curated list of the top liquid highlighters, she has gone through several customer testimonials and tried on some top-rated highlighters herself. She has also outlined a buying guide and answered a few of your common queries to help you get started.

The Bottom Line

The best liquid highlighters can be a game-changer if you have dry skin. They pack the right amount of glow and shimmer to give your makeup a dewy finish. When buying a liquid highlighter, make sure it is long-lasting and easily blendable so you don’t require constant touch-ups. Also, ensure the highlighter is formulated with natural ingredients and free of harsh chemicals to prevent irritation and acne breakouts. For example, you may consider the Ilia Liquid Light Serum Highlighter, as it is vegan and provides protection from UV rays, The Beauty Crop Glow Milk Liquid Highlighter for its quality ingredients, and the Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer for its fine pearls that offer a natural shine. We hope our list can help you understand the available options and choose one that meets your needs.

Infographic: How To Use Liquid Highlighters?

Liquid highlighters, with their fluid texture and glowy finish, offer a versatile and effortless way to enhance your natural glow. From a subtle glow to intense radiance, these liquid formulas create a luminous sheen that elevates your complexion. Refer to the infographic below to learn how to use liquid highlighters efficiently to achieve a flawless finish.

Tips For Using A Liquid Highlighter(infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team


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Ann Van de Langerijt
Ann Van de LangerijtSkincare blogger
Ann Van de Langerijt is a Belgium-based Instagram influencer with thousands of followers. Ann visualizes makeup and skincare products in a creative, different, and colorful manner. She reviews the products and features only those that “are special and have great results on the skin”.

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Poulami Nag
Poulami NagMA, PG Dip.
Poulami is an associate editor at MomJunction. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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Shreya is a gold medalist with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from SGT University, Gurugram. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in applied psychology from Amity University, Gwalior. Her interest in human behavior and extensive years of learning and training in psychology has instilled in her the skills to understand the consumer psyche to optimize the reader's experience.

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Deyasini Biswas
Deyasini BiswasBA English (Hons), Diploma in Advanced Fashion Styling
Deyasini holds a bachelor's honors degree in English Literature from Jadavpur University and a postgraduate diploma in Advanced Fashion Styling from the London College of Style. She has three years of experience in the fashion industry, working as an editorial and product stylist, following which she has chosen to return to her roots in the language arts as a commerce content writer at MomJunction.

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