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.
ColourPop Butterfly Beach Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "soft peach with highlights of gold and silver." It's a rich,...
ColourPop Butterfly Beach Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "soft peach with highlights of gold and silver." It's a rich,...
Physicians Formula Pearl Butter Highlighter ($10.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft white with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly...
Physicians Formula Pearl Butter Highlighter ($10.99 for 0.17 oz.) is a soft white with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was richly...
ColourPop Rocket Science Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a light lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, pearly sheen. It...
ColourPop Rocket Science Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a light lavender with subtle, warm undertones and a sparkling, pearly sheen. It...
ColourPop Star Brite Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, golden beige with stronger, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had opaque color...
ColourPop Star Brite Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, golden beige with stronger, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had opaque color...
ColourPop Acting Up Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, coppery orange with warm undertones and a fine, golden pearl that gave it a luminous...
ColourPop Acting Up Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a light, coppery orange with warm undertones and a fine, golden pearl that gave it a luminous...
ColourPop Uoeno Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium beige with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had very fine pearl that made it appear...
ColourPop Uoeno Lite Stix ($8.00 for 0.33 oz.) is a medium beige with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had very fine pearl that made it appear...
ColourPop Lunch Money Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "soft light gold with a reflective golden duochrome finish." It's a...
ColourPop Lunch Money Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "soft light gold with a reflective golden duochrome finish." It's a...
ColourPop Stole the Show Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "light cool-toned gold with luminous flashes of pink, silver, and...
ColourPop Stole the Show Super Shock Cheek ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is described as a "light cool-toned gold with luminous flashes of pink, silver, and...
Glossover Averages
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!
Lancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with...
Lancome Glowing Lights Glow Subtil Silky Creme Highlighter ($30.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with...
Hourglass Bronze Flash Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick ($42.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium copper with warm, brown undertones and a golden shimmer. The...
Hourglass Bronze Flash Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick ($42.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium copper with warm, brown undertones and a golden shimmer. The...
Hourglass Champagne Flash Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick ($42.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Hourglass Champagne Flash Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick ($42.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a light gold with warm, yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. ...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Spotlight Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator ($42.00 for 0.49 oz.) is a silvery beige with a hint of warmth and a pearly, dewy...
Marc Jacobs Beauty Spotlight Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator ($42.00 for 0.49 oz.) is a silvery beige with a hint of warmth and a pearly, dewy...
Glossier Moonstone Haloscope ($22.00 for 0.19 oz.) is a translucent, dewy base with very fine, opal micro-pearl. It didn't seem to be white-based,...
Glossier Moonstone Haloscope ($22.00 for 0.19 oz.) is a translucent, dewy base with very fine, opal micro-pearl. It didn't seem to be white-based,...
I’ve got a motherlode of the best ColourPop Highlighters! Butterfly Beach, Lunch Money, Sticky Sweet, Highly Waisted, Monster, and as of yesterday, Might Be, which was love at first swatch!
Now to get a few Nyx Away We Glow highlights, like Liquid Prism and Moonbeam!
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!
ColourPop’s get the seal of approval from this oily-skinned girl. Monster and hIppo are my favorites because of the duochromes. 🙂
Then, I’ll add Illamasqua Lies cream blusher so the pink-undertone girls aren’t left out.
I own 5 colourpop super shock highlights. and boy do I love em!!
When I’m going out to a party or a night time event, I’ll layer!! I’ll pat a creamy colourpop one on, then a matching powder highlight on top!!! 😀
I guess I’m going to have to try out some Colourpop highlighters!
I have Colourpop hippo,butterfly beach and might be. They are fabulous!
I love how pretty the ColourPop highlighters look in the pots! ^_^ It’s great to see high quality, beautiful and affordable in one jar
This is amazing list for under $25 – thank you Christine.