Best Cream Highlighters - Drugstore + High-End

On the hunt for the best cream highlighters? Look no further than our shimmering lil’ list that features 14 of the top-performing favorites I’ve tried and reviewed over the years that are currently available on the market.  I’ve broken out the top-rated cream highlighters by price point, so you’ll find eight picks for affordable cream highlighters and six favorites for high-end cream highlighters. Cream highlighters have a denser quality to them–they don’t spread and run like liquid highlighters–but they have a similar application and wear.

Curious about the best liquid highlighters? We’ve got you covered!

Best Drugstore Cream Highlighters

It’s no surprise that ColourPop dominates this category, as they’re famous for their Super Shock Cheeks, which is a cream-to-powder formula available in a multitude of shades and finishes.  They’re truly an excellent product, and it’s a type of formulation that we just don’t see replicated by many other brands–regardless of price point.  In 2019, they launched their Lite Stix, which is a twist-up, more traditional cream-based highlighter formula, and we’re happy to report that it’s a totally winning formula!  Physicians Formula also recently launched a cream-based Butter Highlighter, which is an accessible option at your local drugstore.

Best High-End Cream Highlighters

Here are my top five favorites that range from $22 and higher for cream highlighters.  All of the recommendations below give the skin a wetter, dewier finish than the recommendations above.  I’m curious if we’ll see more cream-based highlighter formulas, because there are not nearly as many brands with robust cream highlighter ranges, even in 2019!

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Ginny Avatar

Colourpop Smokin Whistles is my favorite cream highlighter, period. I’m really interested in the NYX liquid ones but I’m not sure which one I want to try!

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