Best Highlighter Brushes for 2022 - Get the Perfect Glow!
There are a few different styles of highlighting brushes on the market, but the most common highlighter brush is medium in size and flares outward from the ferrule and then tapers to a point, which can be more or less rounded.
Highlighter brushes can be less-dense and feel airier or be moderately dense and can almost buff products into the skin. There are also fan brushes, which are shaped like a hand fan, which are often for more diffused, subtler application.
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Best Highlighter Brushes for Subtle Glow
You want to look for less-densely packed brushes–ones described as silky, airy, fluffy, or light–as they’ll pick up less product and disperse it in a more diffused manner, which results in a subtle, more gradual glow. For subtle highlighter formulas, you may still want a more moderate brush because the product starts out subtle, whereas if you’re trying to make an intense highlighter more buildable in glow, that’s where an airy brush excels.
They are ideal for use with softer powders (nothing too dense/cream-like) that have fine to moderate shimmer size (I would not use them with glitters unless it was a more softly-pressed glittery highlighter).
Wayne Goss The Air Brush ($35.00)
It is a small, flatter face brush with tapered bristles that come to a rounded edge. Despite being flatter, it excels at blending out the edges of various powders on the face. It’s one of my favorite brushes for all things face, but it is superb for anyone who wants lighter application of their colored cheek products. Available at a Beautylish.
Sonia G Fan Pro Brush ($32.00)
It is a small, goat-haired fan brush that has a rounded, pinched ferrule where the brushes flare outward to create a gently curved edge. It is incredibly soft and moves fluidly against the skin–no feeling of any individual bristles at all. Available at Beautylish.
Chikuhodo Z-4 Cheek/Highlighter Brush ($73.00)
It is an incredibly soft, almost airy small cheek brush that, as the name says, works for blush and highlighter. The squirrel hair picks up less product than goat or other hair-types, so it gives a more buildable, gradual application of product–ideal for light-to-moderate application of highlight. Available at Beautylish.
Honorable mention: SUQQU Cheek Brush ($123.60) is an extremely silky, airy brush, but it’s harder to purchase in a lot of countries.
Best Highlighter Brushes for Moderate Glow
These are brushes that have very soft bristles that naturally pickup a bit less product and give a more diffused application initially, but they still yield a more moderate application unless you have a very light hand.
is a medium-sized, rounded blush brush that I reach for highlighters as well as blushes, so it’s more multi-tasking for me. I like using this for more diffused application over a larger area or when I’m using a finishing powder. This is one I often reach for when I use Hourglass’ Ambient Lighting Powders, which I’ll dust over greater areas of my face.
Sonia G. Designer Pro ($46.00)
It’s a slightly smaller-than-average cheek brush, but it’s moderately dense and has a more paddle-like shape (with a soft, domed edge), so it lays down product easily with a few taps but then has the density necessary to diffuse and blend out shimmer evenly. Available at Beautylish.
Chikuhodo Z-2 Highlight ($78.00)
This is a smaller, tapered highlighter brush designed for more precise application with squirrel hair, which results in a softer, more diffused application compared to other hair types. Available at Beautylish.
Wayne Goss Brush 10 ($38.00)
This is a rounded, tapered, highlighting brush with a soft, moderately dense feel on the skin that works well for applying and blending out powders on the cheeks.
Alternatively, Hakuhodo J5521 Highlight Brush ($38.00) is extremely similar in shape, so it is also an excellent choice (I use both). B5521 Highlight Brush ($53.00) is softer (mix of blue squirrel and goat hair) for those who need softer bristles in this shape. S5521BBk Highlight Brush ($47.00) is more resilient and works better with stiffer products with its mix of goat and horse hair.
Honorable Mentions: Chikuhodo Z-8 Cheek ($111.00), Chikuhodo Takumi T-5 ($52.00)
Best Highlighter Brushes for Intense Glow
I’ll often use a more tapered highlighter brush (see above for most of my recommendations) with a slightly heavier hand to achieve a more intense glow, but I’ve also listed some of my favorites that I reach for that are specifically ideal for heavier application of highlighter. (Also, blush brushes are often great tools for applying highlighter more intensely!)
Sonia G. Face Two ($48.00)
It’s a small-to-medium sized brush with a flatter edge, so it’s almost like a small, buffing brush with good spring and enough fluffiness to make it a really well-rounded tool. I love it for getting intense, pigmented highlighter application (in addition to using it with blush). Available at Beautylish.
Sonia G. Sculpt Three ($32.00)
It’s a small, but mighty, smaller fan brush that picks up product evenly and deposits in precisely, which I find perfect for creating intense glow exactly where you want it. Available at Beautylish.
Best Highlighter Brushes for Liquids & Creams
I often use fingertips more than brushes (hey, less brushes to wash that way) with liquids and creams as I find application to work quite well either way, but when I use brushes, these have been my go-tos for years.
MAC 159S Duo Fibre Brush ($35.00)
It is a small-to-medium-sized, domed cheek brush that has more feathery, sparse bristles at the edge, which help with gradual, diffused application. Available at Nordstrom.
Real Techniques Setting Brush ($7.99)
It’s a small, more precise synthetic brush that works well for applying highlighters to the high points of the face. I typically use it with liquids and creams, but it could also be used with powders. Available at Ulta.
Check out my other brush guides: Best Blush Brushes | Best Eyeshadow Brushes
I actually really like the real techniques setting brush for highlighter applications. It is a truly versatile product in my opinion. It gives a strong application for sure, and makes even the most subtle product (cle de peau highlighter in pastel) look flawless, smooth and just the enough intensity. I want to pick up another one of these because it is also great for undereye setting (which is what it’s intended use is for I guess, haha!)
For cream products, I always use my fingers. The stick formulas (like Benefit watts up) need to be warmed up with a finger, and I usually take some product with my finger first then pat it in, instead of going in straight with the stick then blend out.
For liquid products, sponges are my go to. Liquid formulas are usually too intense for me so I need to sponges to pick up excessive product..
I tend to use my fingertips for cream highlighters/blushes, too! Although, I have been liking sponge application for more intense shades!
I second the Real Techniques setting brush. I was using the Elf highlight brush for awhile (it fit into my college student budget, haha), but I just picked up the Real Techniques one this week because I honestly didn’t like the Elf brush too much. I think the RT one is just the right density that allows you to easily create an intense highlight or a subtle one. And it’s super affordable!
That’s an interesting and useful question! I’ve fallen into highlighter a few months ago and new tools recommendations are always welcome!
For my Becca cream highlighter, I prefer using my fingers, because I find brushes will leave some… I don’t know, dirt or little particles on it. I’ll sometimes use Real Techniques Pointed Foundation brush.
For my Nudestix stick highlighter, I’ll apply it straight from the stick before foundation or after foundation with my fingers; sometimes with Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush or Zoeva 110, but rarely, because the texture is quite gel-like.
For my Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops and my Becca liquid highlighter, fingers all the way.
And for my powders, a Mineralize SkinFinish by M.A.C and Milk Holographic Highlighting powder, I’ll use Smashbox Buildable Cheek Brush or Zoeva 110, depending on the result I want.
I’m quite curious about Smashbox Precise Highlighting Brush, so if anyone has an opinion on, I’d be happy to hear it!
Hope that helps 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your recs! That was really fun and helpful to read 🙂
Sorry, for the powder, I meant Zoeva 105. I totally agree with the other comment about it, it’s a great brush for precision powdering as well and you should definitely check it out! Might be a dupe for Wayne Goss #10
For powders, my highlight brush is the Zoeva 105 Luxe Highlight – it’s a nice size for the application, budget-friendly and has held up well through lots of use and washing. I also like it for general spot application of face powder.
I can’t remember off-hand if I have that one, but now I’ll be looking for it!
Totally agree, can be great for blush as well, if you want to build it up for instance
I LOVE this series of posts- thank you so much for putting them together! I will have to try more Hakuhodo brushes.
I love the RT contour brush as well (I own multiples) and the setting brush (also own multiples) for more pigmented highlighter/if I want a lighter touch.
I love that the brushes are so inexpensive as well, so I don’t feel guilty for having three and five respectively. I mean… maybe sometimes I buy new brushes to delay washing my brushes… maybe that exacerbates the problem because then there’s more brushes to wash… maybe 🙂
I’m happy to hear it, Hollie! 🙂
RT has some great brushes for sure! Are there any other RT ones you love?
It’s funny because I’m actually not at ALL picky about highlighter brushes. I have the Real Techniques contour brush and it’s my go to. Other than that I have the ELF Small Tapered brush which is too floppy for my liking but I use it sometimes. I don’t feel I need more than one highlight brush because my highlighters aren’t that different in tone that I would feel the brush is too dirty to use a pale highlight or whatever. Blush brushes on the other hand…. I basically want one for every blush I own.
I love your descriptions of the brushes and how you use them. Great tips. I own one Chikuhodo eye brush and it’s sooooooo soft. I bet these cheek brushes are like angel kisses.
I feel like I’m not picky as long as it’s the right shape and soft enough not to be scratchy, obviously I have a type, though…
I absolutely love the Zoeva #105, Luxe Highlight! It’s a perfect brush (as mostly of the Zoeva’s brushes) at a really good price point! You should try it! :-*
Thank you for the rec!
Don’t like fan brushes for highlighting ?
I like them but don’t reach for them often!
I use my Wayne Goss Air Brush for highlighting. Just loving these brush info blogs, right up my alley, I love learning new things especially about applying makeup.
Air Brush is great for precise highlighting!
I have a double ended Tarte brush that I got from their big sale last year along with the first Twinkle palette. The big end is nice for cheeks and the small end is good for over brows, between eyes, etc. I also picked up a fan brush for about $12 at CVS that I like for a light application such as wearing glittery highlighter to work (like the new Natasha Denona Diamond powder). For creams, liquids and stick formulations I’m with everyone else, it’s fingers all the way!
How do you store your double-ended brush? I always give up one end so I can store it vertically, lol.
I guess the small end is hosed because I store it small end down (vertically) in my acrylic makeup bin! I basically have a powder room sized full bath. Space is at a premium.
The absolute best I’ve used is the Essence Hello Happiness Blush & Draping Brush. It sucks for blush, but it’s so good for highlight!
Thank you for the tip!!
I like my Wayne Goss fan brush (I have the original w/brown hair so I cannot speak to the current fan brush.) It provides a more subtle application which is what I prefer. I also like the way I can control placement with this brush in that it never leaves definitive “edges”, my glow looks highly but natural.
Fan brushes are nice for subtle highlighting!
I usually use the Wayne Goss fan brush, but I sometimes use the WG #14 brush if I want to spread the highlighter over a larger area (like a blush topper). I have the WG Air Brush too, but I use it for setting powder and contour instead of highlight!
Awesome, Kat!
I love the Morphe E49 for a medium intensity powder highlight. The shape is more like the Wayne Goss Air Brush so could be a very budget friendly substitute and it is super soft too.
The Zoeva 105 is also excellent. And I agree with the recommendation for the Real Techniques Contour Brush for creams.
I would love to know where to buy the Japanese brushes in the UK.
Beautylish ships to the UK as far as I know, so brushes like Wayne Goss, Chikuhodo, etc. can be bought there. Suqqu is sold in the UK through Selfridges, I believe.
Great post, Christine, got excited when I saw it on insta. I was hoping you would have a rec for gelee formula highlighters and blushes? I’ve been using the Goss 10 which is fine but can’t help feeling like there must be a better brush for that formula? Any suggestions?
I use the brushes listed in the post for moderate to heavy application – I find any moderately dense highlighting brush that holds its shape works well! You could try denser blush brushes, but you might lose precision!
I love the Hakuhodo J5521 sooo much, it’s excellent! I also would like to offer up Mac’s 127, I got it in a value kit with Double Gleam and it’s really nice for a very soft, sheer highlight, lately it’s been my go-to.
Thanks for the heads up!
I like nice brushes as much as anyone but I haven’t been able to bring myself to splurge for a highlighter brush. I use the Real Techniques Setting Brush (pink handle) or the elf highlighter brush. The RT is denser and gives a more intense look.
I have to say that the RT brushes I have are excellent for the price. Am less impressed by elf, even for the price.
Hey, if it works, it works. I always feel that a “better” brush is only better if it’ll be better for YOU! 🙂
I can’t imagine using anything other than my Real Techniques setting brush. It’s perfection!
Awesome! 🙂
Regular people can’t afford these brushes. Why couldn’t you include less expensive brushes for people like me?
Hi Layla,
I understand that they may not be in your price point – these are the ones I personally reach for most often, and I didn’t want to pick brushes solely based on price since it was about sharing my favorites. I did, however, go through the types of brushes and why I liked them, so you could always peruse brands that are a better fit for you to see if maybe they offer something in a similar shape!
I said include, not solely. Maybe include a similar but lower priced, but hey I understand, your site isn’t for people like me and “My Price Point”.
Hi Layla,
That’s definitely not what I said nor what I intended to say, so let me try to rephrase: these posts were simply my favorites, and when I do that, I don’t worry about things like accessibility or price so that I can give a genuine list of my personal favorites. If there’s a particular brush you’d like suggestions for, I’m happy to provide to see if I know of an alternative, especially if you let me know what price range you’re looking for or what brands are most accessible for you.
Your price point is just that… yours. Someone’s price point or range isn’t always about what someone can afford or not – they may or may not see value in spending more on brushes. I have no idea what that means to you individually! No different than someone who doesn’t see value in high-end mascara and opts for drugstore mascara but then enjoys luxury lipstick.
As always, I review a variety of brands and products – from indie to long-established brands to $2 lipstick to $90 lipstick. I cannot test everything, and I absolutely intentionally review more mid-end and higher products because it can be harder to find reliable reviews for those products and there is more “risk” because they are more expensive. Many of my readers live in countries without return policies or live in areas where they don’t have access to physically go to Sephora and rely on reviews and swatches online to make their purchases.
Christine, you are so kind to even respond to comments like that. If someone is going to get their knickers in a twist over highlighting brushes of all things they are not worth your time. You have provided such a lovely roundup here and within all the brush posts where you give reviews that are honest—something that feels more and more like a rarity online.
I just want to say that your site is filled with so much information that is so helpful to so many people. This post and so many others are an absolute godsend, something many of us appreciate.
I’m really enjoying these posts, Christine!
Powder highlighters:
I tend to use the original WG fan brush (love it!), Bobbi Brown Angled Face brush, the WG 02, and really the edge of any brush that I’m using for blush (even the backside of the gorgeous WG Holiday 2017 brush).
For hard/stubborn highlighters or highlighters with an overlay, the Charlotte Tilbury Powder and Sculpt brush works wonders.
Cream Highlighter:
I tend to place with my fingers and blend with WG 10 or a foundation brush like WG Anniversary 01 or Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face brush.
Liquid:
I typically apply/blend liquid highlighters with my fingers but lately have been experimenting using brushes. A flat, pointed foundation brush works well; a Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Touch Up brush (dense, rounded) shows promise; the original WG 18 is good for uber-precise placement. I also like using the edge or pointed end of a (non-flat) foundation brush to gently tap in and blend a liquid highlighter.
Thank You, Christine for a great post. I enjoy your varied price points for makeup and brushes,and also your knowledge on how to apply various kinds of makeup to get the BEST look. I have been a fan of yours for quite awhile, but only began posting lately. I have the Wayne Goss highlighter brush and enjoy using it a lot. I love natural bristle brushes, but I am beginning to buy the others such as La Mer and Marc Jacobs. If there is a brush or makeup I REALLY REALLY want, I budget, save for that brush or makeup or I will move on. To have choices in LIFE; that is special in itself. OK. Enough of that. (smile) So far I enjoy them but I love my natural hair. {lol} I love all prices of makeup, and that way I can decide how to budget my spending. Thank You Very Much for all the info you provide, and I am waiting anxiously for your next review. Have a Wonderful day.
Do you enjoy your La Mer brushes? I like MJB for synthetics, though I rotate mostly through the foundation/concealing brushes.
Hi Christine. I have the Marc Jacob foundation face #3. It really buffs the foundation and really like how it performs. I also have the #2 sculpting foundation brush and is wonderful; REALLY like this one and it stipples great. I am waiting to receive the concealer brush, my friend loves that brush. The La Mer Powder brush is wonderful. Just one dusting of powder and I’m done. This brush buffs well. I have only used the La Mer foundation once and it is larger, I am still undecided. I like the MJ brushes alot. I am thinking of the MJ bronzer brush and The Shape contour brush looks interesting Thank You, Christine.
I’m not that much into highlighters, but I prefer the precise but natural application I get with the Real Techniques Setting Brush; I only use it with powders.
I tried the fan style, but it doesn’t work for me. And the more dense brushes simply are too much for me, even with a light hand. My biggest fail was still MAC 137, which I assume would be great for a subtle blended highlight; I mean I don’t like the glow, but that brush barely does anything.