Highlighters | 2016 Editor's Favorites
There was a brief moment in 2016 that I thought the onslaught of highlighters was finally slowing down, but they’re still releasing quite regularly! The best part about the continued releases is we’re seeing more variety in colors and undertones, along with subtle and intense options.
There is one brand absent from this list, which you might be curious as to why, and that would be Anastasia–all of their highlighters are contained in multi-shade palettes (and this post is about individual highlighters). I have several favorites from their palettes, so you might see one of the palettes pop up in the best palettes list!
What were your favorites?
01. Modern Mercury Estee Lauder Victoria Beckham Highlighter
Estee Lauder Victoria Beckham Highlighter
LELimited Edition. $65.00/0.26 oz.
Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham Modern Mercury Highlighter ($65.00 for 0.26 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and soft pink and...
Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham Modern Mercury Highlighter ($65.00 for 0.26 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and soft pink and...
Makeup Geek Ablaze Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. ...
Makeup Geek Ablaze Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark copper with warm, red undertones and a golden shimmer-sheen finish. ...
03. Fireball Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
PPermanent. $26.00/0.23 oz.
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder HighlighterUrban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is described as a "peach with pink...
Urban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder HighlighterUrban Decay Fireball Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is described as a "peach with pink...
Makeup Geek Daybreak Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium peachy orange with warm, yellow undertones and a luminous sheen. This had a...
Makeup Geek Daybreak Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium peachy orange with warm, yellow undertones and a luminous sheen. This had a...
05. Celestial Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating)
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops (Illuminating)
PPermanent. $42.00/0.5 oz.
Celestial is a soft pink with warm undertones and a luminous, pearly sheen. The consistency was thin with a lot of movement, but a little went a long...
Celestial is a soft pink with warm undertones and a luminous, pearly sheen. The consistency was thin with a lot of movement, but a little went a long...
06. Moonlight LORAC Light Source Illuminating Highlighter
LORAC Light Source Illuminating Highlighter
PPermanent. $23.00/0.21 oz.
LORAC Moonlight Light Source Illuminating Highlighter ($22.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a light pink with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. [written_dupes...
LORAC Moonlight Light Source Illuminating Highlighter ($22.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a light pink with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. [written_dupes...
Topaz is a medium, golden copper with warm undertones and a soft sheen. It had excellent color coverage in a single layer with a smooth, velvety...
Topaz is a medium, golden copper with warm undertones and a soft sheen. It had excellent color coverage in a single layer with a smooth, velvety...
08. Sunlight Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder
Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Powder
PPermanent. $44.00/0.11 oz.
Sunlight is a subdued, medium-dark brown with golden shimmer. The color payoff was great--it was totally opaque--while the texture was soft, lightly...
Sunlight is a subdued, medium-dark brown with golden shimmer. The color payoff was great--it was totally opaque--while the texture was soft, lightly...
09. Golden Apricot Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer
Cle de Peau Luminizing Face Enhancer
PPermanent. $55.00/0.35 oz.
Cle de Peau Golden Apricot Luminizer ($55.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a...
Cle de Peau Golden Apricot Luminizer ($55.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a...
10. #01 Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter
Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter
PPermanent. $39.00/0.3 oz.
Make Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion HighlighterMake Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion Highlighter ($39.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a very light pink with warm undertones...
Make Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion HighlighterMake Up For Ever #01 Pro Light Fusion Highlighter ($39.00 for 0.30 oz.) is a very light pink with warm undertones...
11. Afternoon Glow Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
PPermanent. $48.00/0.28 oz.
Bobbi Brown Afternoon Glow Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a luminous, slightly metallic...
Bobbi Brown Afternoon Glow Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a luminous, slightly metallic...
Makeup Geek Rekindle Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It looked pinker in...
Makeup Geek Rekindle Highlighter ($20.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, rosy copper with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It looked pinker in...
13. Sunset Glow Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
PPermanent. $48.00/0.28 oz.
Bobbi Brown Sunset Glow Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a soft, light-medium pink with warm undertones and a lighter, peachy gold...
Bobbi Brown Sunset Glow Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a soft, light-medium pink with warm undertones and a lighter, peachy gold...
14. Telluride Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder
LELimited Edition. $48.00/0.28 oz.
Bobbi Brown Telluride Highlighting PowderBobbi Brown Telluride Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a muted, medium-drark rosy plum with warm...
Bobbi Brown Telluride Highlighting PowderBobbi Brown Telluride Highlighting Powder ($46.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a muted, medium-drark rosy plum with warm...
15. Double-Gleam MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish
PPermanent. $37.00/0.31 oz.
MAC Double-Gleam Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
MAC Double-Gleam Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Rose Quartz is a light pink with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. I found the mini version to pull a bit warmer on me overall, though it was...
Rose Quartz is a light pink with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. I found the mini version to pull a bit warmer on me overall, though it was...
17. Be My Highlight Essence Pure Nude Highlighter
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter
PPermanent. $4.49/0.23 oz.
Essence Be My Highlight Baked Highlighter Powder ($4.49 for 0.23 oz.) is a soft, light-medium golden peach with warm undertones and a luminous sheen....
Essence Be My Highlight Baked Highlighter Powder ($4.49 for 0.23 oz.) is a soft, light-medium golden peach with warm undertones and a luminous sheen....
18. Stunner Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Highlighter
Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Highlighter
PPermanent. $28.00/0.2 oz.
Tarte Stunner Highlighter ($28.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a light, peachy-pink with a cooler pink undertone and a warmer, golden shimmer-sheen finish. It...
Tarte Stunner Highlighter ($28.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a light, peachy-pink with a cooler pink undertone and a warmer, golden shimmer-sheen finish. It...
19. Champagne Campaign Catrice Highlighting Powder
Catrice Highlighting Powder
PPermanent. $5.99/0.17 oz.
Catrice Champagne Campaign Highlighting Powder ($5.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a very light, golden beige with warm undertones and a soft sheen....
Catrice Champagne Campaign Highlighting Powder ($5.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a very light, golden beige with warm undertones and a soft sheen....
20. Soft Frost MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish
MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish
PPermanent. $37.00/0.31 oz.
MAC Soft Frost Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a cool, icy lavender with a violet sheen. ...
MAC Soft Frost Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($33.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a cool, icy lavender with a violet sheen. ...
Ablaze by MakeUpGeek because finally there is a duochrome highlighter for dark skin that looks flattering and wearable, and the quality is actually great. Bronzed Amber by Becca because on my dark skin it is a subtle, flattering highlighter, and as someone who really doesn’t like overly shiny or glittery highlighters, I was really happy to discover that shade.
Thrilled to hear how well it is working on your skin tone, Ijeoma! 😀
Favourites for me that were new this year – UD Aura Afterglow Powder Highlighter and those Algenist liquid drops (I was fortunate to be able to get the “Drop and Glow” duo that Christine reviewed here – a great value price and, given how judiciously I use highlighters, more than enough product for me). I also got the Dior Glowing Gardens Pink LE highlighter this year…it was meant to be for their Spring 2016 collection even though it was sold out everywhere by January, it seems. It is SO beautiful, I wish they’d make it permanent.
Someone likes their pink highlighters 😉
LOL – ya think? Actually, in that little Algenist duo, I’ve only used the more warm/yellow toned one so far. I’ve not even touched the pink one yet and it surprises even me. I’d have thought I’d make a dive for that one first but I’ve been so happy with the other one that I haven’t even opened the pinker one.
Haha! Well, my feeling is you WILL like the pink one when you try it, but I am so glad you love the gold so much 🙂
I love the Bobbi Brown ones. Kind of have my eye on the Tarte and Jouer ones, too.
The Bobbi Brown ones are amazing! Jouer’s are worth the hype for quality (but dupable).
Yes, same here! I am happy I bought Sunset Glow, my first Bobbi Brown product, although it was expensive: it’s very flattering!
My wierd schtick this week was to wear highlighter alone as blush, and it worked….so maybe I’ll climb on the highlighter train, that I had thought was leaving the station. Nice to know that the product can be an and/or. And I can consider some of the darker highlighter/blushes. Not that I need to expand product envy.
I LOVE highlighter worn as blush! I often wear them that way when they are darker/deeper!
i love the essence highlighter. it is great one for everyday because it gives a very natural glow to the skin.
It is!
Isn’t it funny? I strangely don’t have even one of the ones listed above! But 4 are on my wishlist, though. My personal faves that I’ve bought this past year have been MAC Whisper Of Gilt MSF, Pearl Blossom Beauty Powder and that weird mispackaged Highlight The Truth MSF. Plus, I also love OtherEarthly MSF, too.
No way!! That is so crazy. 😉
Then again, there were SO many to choose from!
I really loved those powders from Bobbi, I never got to swatch, are they still on counter? And the VB was stunning. I loved it, just not the price.
You might still be able to find them!
My only highlighter is the Balm’s Mary Lou and it is perfect for me. I didn’t really join the highlighting craze.
Mary Lou is a classic!
I’m dying to try the Bobbie Brown ones!!! they look so beautiful from your reviews!!
They have such a lovely sheen!
I think just about every brand came out with great highlighters, there was something for everyone! My highlighter stash exploded this year with Dior, Becca, Lorac, MAC, CP, etc.. Most stunning-in- pan was MAC My Mimi. And finally got my hands on the elusive MAC Whisper of Gilt! The biggest surprise find was the Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powders, wasn’t expecting much for $4, but it can go toe-to-toe with any of my ME or HE ones, so glad they finally made it permanent!
There are tons to choose from! I’d say, like lipstick, you can get a good one at any price point, but it will be hard to narrow down to just a few!
I only own 2 single highlighters which are Ballerina and Gikded Honey by Laura Geller. I also own the Gwen Stefani UD palette and love Angel.
Both are gorgeous! Ballerina and Gilded Honey are some of my all-time favorites.
2016 was the year of the highlighter for me! Modern Mercury and Fireball definitely were 2 of my favorites! Also loved the Dior Glowing Gardens pink highlighter and the Pat Mcgrath Nude/pink duochrome highlighter 🙂
Fireball is so fun!
I’m actually surprised that their weren’t any Colour Pop highlighters on this list.
Most of their highlighters were launched in the prior year (more traditional highlighters) – they had some shimmery blushes that could be highlighters on some skin tones in the top products for budget blushes 🙂 http://www.temptalia.com/top-10-of-2016-best-blushes-15-under/
You’re right, they did release a lot in 2015. But in 2016, they release a few stand out shades like Might Be and Flexitarian which, by the Colour Pop definition, are categorized as highlighters and both received high ratings here on your blog. I hope I’m not coming off as argumentative, I was just curious. Maybe they will show up on the Readers’ Choice Awards list! 🙂
Sorry – I did not mean to imply or say there were ZERO in 2016 (that’s why I said most) only that the majority were originally reviewed and released in 2015. Anything released in 2016 was certainly considered but if it is not here, it just did not make my top list for the year. I literally pulled up swatches of every single product I reviewed in 2016 to create my top lists!
Gotcha ?
Oh and I use BOBBI BROWN SUNSET GLOW
HIGHLIGHTING POWDER for blush! It’s very pretty LOL