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The highlighters we’re loving this winter

Because luminescent skin is where it’s at

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / July 01 2021

Highlighting, strobing and contouring are all makeup trends that have become second nature to many of us, and the secret weapon to nailing all three of these trends is an epic highlighting product.

And while highlighter is an essential that we all have in our makeup bag, it’s also one that can leave us looking like a shiny and glittery mess if we don’t have the right shade or formula.

So, to ensure you don’t leave the house with your face looking like a giant disco ball, we rounded up our favourite highlighters that will provide the perfect natural luminescence to winter skin.

MECCA MAX Off Duty Glass Stick

Glass skin is a mere swipe away with this chubby stick on hand. Formulated to deliver an enviably dewy sheen, we recommend applying this little guy to the high points of the face to imbue a bit of moisture back into the skin, imitating that fresh glow you get after applying your most hydrating skin care picks.

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Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

There’s a good chance this highlighter isn’t new to you, as the light-diffusing formula has reached cult-like status in recent years. And for good reason. Each shade has been specifically formulated to give your skin a filtered effect, without having to use any iPhone apps. Opt for these powders (there are six shades in total) if you want to add a subtle sheen to the skin that will last all day.

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Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand

If you prefer to make a statement with your highlighter, then this liquid option from Charlotte Tilbury should be your go-to. What makes the formula so special is how it seamlessly blends into the skin (we recommend applying it with your fingers) along with the fact that the coppery-rose gold shade flatters a huge variety of skin tones and leaves an ethereal glow on the skin that will make you look as though you’ve descended from the heavens.

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FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Glow Skinstick

If the handbag-friendly format isn’t enough to get you excited about this pearlescent-finish highlighter stick, then how about that lit-from-within, post-yoga-sesh, sweaty-in-a-good-way glow? It's no small order but Rihanna's done it again with this universal shade that caters to all skin tones. We also personally love applying this to our lids and brow bone for a wet-look eyeshadow moment that is to die for.

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Need to revamp your base products this season? These are the best new cheek products you need to add to your kit.

Image credit: Getty

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).