I’ve never done a makeup post on my blog before! Even though I love makeup, I’ve had a lot of trouble coming up with makeup topics I could blog about since Youtube is such a great source for learning makeup techniques. After mascara, my hands down favorite makeup product is highlighter! Since we all have different preferences in how we want to glow, I thought it would be cool to rank 9 different highlighters so you can choose which one is the right option for you. In this list, there’s a highlighter for every occasion from work to party (even if it’s just an introvert party with your cat).

*Highlighters are ranked from most to least natural, not by how much I like them

Glossier Haloscope (in Quartz)- $22

This is truly the most natural highlighter I’ve ever tried. It gives that “I just applied skincare” glow. I like to wear this highlighter on days when I’m just wearing mascara, brow gel (Glossier boy brow of course), and some lip balm (yes also Glossier balm dot calm). I would recommend this highlighter for anyone who is new to wearing highlighter because it really is impossible to wear too much. The texture of the highlighter kind of reminds me of chapstick. It doesn’t go on as thick as lip balm, but it has a similar consistency (don’t worry, it doesn’t feel like it’s clogging your pores or anything).

I apply the stick right to the high points of my face and then diffuse with my fingers. The only complaints I have about this product is it isn’t long wearing enough to last until the end of the day and it isn’t quite noticeable enough for my tastes (but that’s really just a preference thing). I give this highlighter an 8/10 for its versatility, easy to apply application, and nice skincare glow.

Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter -$26

I have this highlighter in a soft pink shade and it gives a very natural glow. This highlighter isn’t shimmery at all, but it works by reflecting the light just a little bit. I don’t know what it is about this product that I don’t love. Maybe it’s just not the right shade for my skin tone? I think it would look better on fairer skin colors. I just don’t ever find myself reaching for this product even though I can’t find anything I super hate about it. The formula applies nicely. The applicator is unique, the bottle is almost exactly like a nail polish bottle. The applicator even has little hairs like nail polish applicators do. 

To apply this product, I draw a couple dots on the highpoint of my cheeks and then diffuse with my fingers. I guess I just don’t feel like this product is noticeable enough. As far as the natural end of highlights goes, I definitely prefer the Glossier Haloscope. I rate this product 5/10 because the product is just eh! It does get points because the formula is comfortable to wear, but still, eh…

*Makeup Forever Highlighter (H106)- $26

I starred this product because it is my FAVORITE highlighter. I reach for it every single day and even though I’ve had it for a year, I’m still excited to put it on. The champagne shade is a flattering warm gold color. I wouldn’t describe this product as super glittery, but I would say its shimmery enough to catch the light. When this highlighter catches sunlight, it looks freaking amazing! I really love it so much haha. I went into Sephora two years ago looking for my first ever highlighter (I was eyeing the Fenty ones) and a Sephora employee showed me this one. I don’t think I have ever seen any YouTuber/influencer I follow use this highlighter so I would definitely say this product is wayyy under hyped. 

This highlighter is buildable so you can apply a little bit for office wear or go in heavier for that jaw dropping goddess glow. Even when I “pile it on”, it still looks very natural. I apply this highlighter using a fan brush. I give this product 11/10 for its long wearing formula, goddess glow powers, and versatility. If you’re on the fence about what highlighter to get, GET THIS ONE! I think it would look stunning on most skin tones (I have medium-warm skin color). I’ve had this highlighter for two years and it’s lasted me this long! I have hit pan and I will absolutely be repurchasing.

Artist Couture Diamond Glow Powder (Illuminati) -$27

This is another highlighter I really enjoy. This highlighter is a loose powder made of very finely milled shimmer. This one is a slightly less natural highlighter than the Makeup Forever highlighter because it reflects more light. The thing that stops me from using this highlighter more frequently is that it’s a little messy! When I use this, shimmer powder always gets on my bathroom counter. As pretty as it is, I am less excited when I see the product over the surface of my bathroom after I recently cleaned it haha.

However, when I do use this highlighter, I am always thrilled with the result. I apply this product using a fan brush just like the Makeup Forever highlighter, but I always make sure I tap my brush on something to get rid of the excess product because I don’t want to look too glowy. I rate this highlighter 9/10 for its long wearing finish and gorgeous shimmery reflection. The only reason I’m not giving this highlighter a 10/10 is because it’s messy!

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Moonlight) -$42

The first liquid highlighter on the list! These glow drops are a really interesting product because you can use them in a couple different ways. The glow drops come in multiple colors ranging from metallic highlighters, soft pastel highlighters, and bronzing drops. These drops can be added to you foundation for a radiant finish or you can apply it to the cheek bones. The thing I don’t like about liquid highlights is it takes a little more effort to apply compared to a powder highlighter. The first time I applied this highlighter, I used my fingers and it was WAY too glowy. I looked like some kind of metallic alien. 

Now that I’ve learned how to use the formula, I apply one drop in my hand and then use a baby beauty blender to pick up the highlighter and tap it onto the high points of my face. Make sure you really work the highlighter evenly into the beauty blender so you don’t get splotches when you apply to the face. After I apply with the baby beauty blender, I use a regular sized beauty sponge to make sure its blended naturally into the skin.

The other way to use this product is to add one drop to your foundation. I use about 1 drop of highlighter per 2 pumps of foundation. I’ll then mix together the foundation and highlighter on my hand before applying to my face. When I use this technique, my foundation never looks glittery, it looks radiant and fresh.

The biggest tip I can give you with this product is to be careful how much you use! The formula is really concentrated. I actually really like this color. On days when I’m wearing cooler toned makeup, this a great option when gold would look weird. You can really build up this highlighter to your desire. I give this highlighter an 8/10 for buildable glow and beautiful color, but I’m marking it down because it takes more time to apply the product.

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter (Fantasy) -$45

This is a highlighter I had wanted to try for a really long time. I use this one in a very similar way to how I use the Cover Effects highlighter. The formula is a lot thicker than the Cover FX one, it is kind of like a thick cream that comes out of a pump. This product does not feel heavy on the face despite coming out of the bottle thick. My main complaint about this highlighter is that it isn’t opaque. I have the rose gold color and I’ve found that it’s very hard to sheer out if I apply too much. 

There are 3 ways to use this highlighter. The first two ways, I described in the Cover FX review. To add to your foundation, I would only use about half a pump. To apply to the high points of your face, use a baby beauty blender and then blend out with a large beauty sponge. The third way to use this product is to apply a pump to your face before going in with foundation. Like I said, the formula is not opaque so you have to be diligent in making sure you cover your whole face with foundation if you apply to your whole face. The finish is really radiant and beautiful, it just takes a little work…

I give this highlighter 6/10 for beautiful color and finish, but it’s losing points because it’s an advanced product to be using, it’s time consuming to apply, and it’s not opaque.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix (Starstruck) -$25

This highlighter is a very unique color. In the stick, it appears a very soft rose gold/lavender shade. On the skin, it looks like a cool toned color that can definitely be worn to work. I would not describe it as a music festival highlighter. The highlight is very buildable so you can sheer it out for work or go in heavier for a fun night look. I would describe this look as more glittery than the previous highlighters on this list, but like I said, it really isn’t over the top. 

Priscilla Ono, the makeup artist for Fenty Beauty, recommends warming up the matchstix on your hand by scribbling a couple times and then picking up the product off your hand using a brush. The matchstix are stick to powder formula for a long lasting effect. With this highlighting stick, I’ve had no problem applying the product straight to the skin without warming it up on my hand. I basically use this matchstix just like the Glossier haloscope highlighter and then diffuse this product with my fingers. I rate this product 10/10 because it’s easy to use, buildable, and a really beautiful slightly glittery shade.

Fenty Beauty Killawat Freestyle Highlighter (Trophy Wife) -$36

My sister gave me this highlighter because it’s pretty wild and not really work appropriate. I would describe this shade as very yellow gold. It’s almost a green gold. I would describe this highlighter as VERY glittery! The shade is a fun party shade, but not necessarily appropriate for daily use. It is so pigmented it’s almost more appropriate to use as an eyeshadow.

To apply this highlighter, I use a fan brush and sweep across the high points of the cheeks. I would recommend tapping the excess product off the brush before application because it is very pigmented and glittery like I said. I give this highlighter an 8/10 because its a fun shade, glows beautifully, and lasts quite a while. I thought about marking this product down lower because it’s not appropriate for the office, but I really don’t think its meant to be. Fenty is definitely about the party haha. 

Fenty Beauty Killawat Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duo (Mimosa Sunrise/Sangria Sunset) -$36

As this highlighter duo is not in silver or gold, it is obviously the least natural highlighter on this list. The orange is actually pretty wearable as long as you blend/sheer it out. The pink highlighter is a little more difficult to use because it is so pigmented. I would describe this duo as shimmery as opposed to glittery like the Fenty “Trophy Wife” highlighter. To be honest, I don’t frequently use this highlighter because it just doesn’t look natural.

I use this highlighter with a fan brush. I try to aim “Sangria Sunrise” closer to the cheeks and then fade into “Mimosa Sunrise” on the high points of my cheeks. Honestly, I like using this highlighter more as a blush or eyeshadow. I love “Mimosa Sunrise” with orange/peach toned looks as a blush! I am going to give this highlighter an 8/10 as well because the formula and party shade is basically the same as the Trophy Wife highlighter.

I’m so excited about this post because I’m really proud of my flat lay! Sometimes I feel really discouraged about Instagram and blogging. It’s the little accomplishments like this that keep me doing this kind of thing. I hope you guys liked it! What are your guys’ favorite highlighters? Tell me in the comments below!