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The best drugstore highlighters under $30

Shine bright like a diamond, no matter your budget

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / February 08 2023

If you’re still mourning the news that the OGs of the highlighter game, BECCA Cosmetics have closed, please do not fret, because we’re one step ahead of you.

While highlighter trends may not be as in-your-face as they used to be, that doesn’t mean the illuminating product has completely left our kits. No, instead we’re reaching for drugstore highlighters that leave our skin with that covetable lit-from-within-glow.

So, forget the sunnies because we’re not blinding our haters anymore, we’re instilling a quiet sense of fear in them. Let the gloriously glossy psychological warfare begin…

MCo Beauty Highlight & Glow Beauty Wand

Lauded as the most convincing Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand dupe, not only does it boast similar packaging as the cult favourite, it achieves the same signature swathe of pearlescent illumination. The peach shade even emulates Tilbury’s iconic Pillow Talk — this is one of our top drugstore makeup dupes of all time.

$29 at MCo Beauty

MECCA MAX Off Duty Glass Highlighting Stick

The perfect tool for nailing the laminated skin trend, simply swipe on and blend with your fingers for an effortlessly sweaty sheen. Looking to enhance the wet look? Dab onto your eyelids too for a glass-like finish.

$19 at MECCA

Revlon Skinlights Prismatic Highlighter Daybreak Glimmer

If you’ve kept powder highlighter at arm’s length because of skin texture, we think you’ll very much enjoy getting to know this drugstore find a little bit better. The prismatic finish imitates a reflective, wet surface that gleams in the light (without drawing attention to texture or enlarged pores).

$19.39 at Chemist Warehouse

Makeup Revolution Bright Light Highlighter

These liquid highlighters are excellent at smoothing over texture and fine lines, but after checking out the reviews, the pink shades are clear fan favourites. They pack a punch when it comes to pigment, and blend out beautifully for a glowy flush.

$16 at Revolution Beauty

L'Oreal Paris Woke Up Like This Drops Coconic Glow

These dewy glow drops and a cream blush is all we need for perfect skin. Seriously, a few drops of this magic elixir on the high points of the face will make you look like the type of person who has never had to be reminded to drink water a day in their life. We’re talking sheeny, radiant skin that will make you the envy of all those you encounter. To die for.

$16.45 at Kogan

MILANI Strobelight Instant Glow Powder

Light reflecting pearls are the culprits behind the creamy glow you’ll be sporting after you swipe on a healthy dose of this glow booster. Keep it light with a touch of highlighter in key placements or build the buttery formula up for a more impactful finish.

$24.99 at Kogan

Not afraid to spend a little more to get a next-level glow? These cream and liquid highlighters will take pride of place in your makeup kit.

Main image credit: @mcobeauty

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).