Temptalia https://www.temptalia.com In-depth makeup reviews with swatches and dupes, plus what you need to know about new product launches and tips on how to use your makeup! Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:44:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.13 Best Cream Highlighters - Drugstore + High-End https://www.temptalia.com/best-cream-highlighters/ product https://www.temptalia.com/best-cream-highlighters/#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2019 19:00:00 +0000 Christine http://www.temptalia.com/?p=292886 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 Continue Reading… ]]> 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.

01.

01. Butterfly Beach ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A+
ColourPop Butterfly Beach Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter)

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,...

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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,...

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02.

02. Pearl Physicians Formula

Physicians Formula

PPermanent. $10.99/0.17 oz.

A+
Physicians Formula Pearl Butter Highlighter

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...

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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...

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03.

03. Rocket Science ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A
ColourPop Rocket Science Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter)

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...

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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...

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04.

04. Star Brite ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.28 oz.

A
ColourPop Star Brite Lite Stix

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...

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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...

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05.

05. Acting Up ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.28 oz.

A
ColourPop Acting Up Lite Stix

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...

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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...

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06.

06. Uoeno ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.28 oz.

A
ColourPop Uoeno Lite Stix

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...

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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...

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07.

07. Lunch Money ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A
ColourPop Lunch Money Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter)

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...

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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...

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08.

08. Stole the Show ColourPop

ColourPop

PPermanent. $10.00/0.15 oz.

A-
ColourPop Stole the Show Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter)

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...

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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...

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Side-by-Side Swatches
Glossover Breakdown
A
8
B
0
C
0
D
0
F
0
97%
Average
Glossover Averages
product
10
pigmentation
10
texture
10
longevity
9
application
5
Total
97%
product
10
pigmentation
10
texture
10
longevity
9
application
5
Total
97%

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!

05.

05. Moonstone Glossier

Glossier

PPermanent. $22.00/0.19 oz.

A-
Glossier Moonstone Haloscope

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,...

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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,...

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Side-by-Side Swatches
Glossover Breakdown
A
5
B
0
C
0
D
0
F
0
97%
Average
Glossover Averages
product
10
pigmentation
10
texture
10
longevity
9
application
5
Total
97%
product
10
pigmentation
10
texture
10
longevity
9
application
5
Total
97%
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