Highlighters Over $15 | 2020 Editor's Favorites
While a quieter year for highlighters, there were still plenty of new (and new-to-me) shades that caught my eye. Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona both released individual highlighters, but both brands could stand to have full ranges of highlighters/blushes in general.
I also tested out JD Glow’s Highlighters this past year with Serenity earning an editor’s recommendation at the time of review. Rare Beauty’s Luminizers were also a highlight–ha, ha, ha–within the brand’s offerings and of highlighters released in 2020.
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2020, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out best of 2019 if you missed last year’s.)
Temptalia’s Favorite Highlighters Over $15 | 2020
UOMA Beauty Notting Hill Black Magic Face & Body Bronzing Highlighter ($35.00 for 0.65 oz.) is a light, golden copper with strong, warm undertones...
UOMA Beauty Notting Hill Black Magic Face & Body Bronzing Highlighter ($35.00 for 0.65 oz.) is a light, golden copper with strong, warm undertones...
NABLA Cosmetics Independence Skin Glazing Highlighter Powder ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a darker, muted coral with moderate, warm undertones and a...
NABLA Cosmetics Independence Skin Glazing Highlighter Powder ($26.00 for 0.23 oz.) is a darker, muted coral with moderate, warm undertones and a...
Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Glow Impact Powder ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy gold with a strong, warm yellow gold sheen that had a...
Natasha Denona I Need a Nude Glow Impact Powder ($42.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy gold with a strong, warm yellow gold sheen that had a...
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Pat McGrath Champagne Gold Sublime Skin Highlighter ($65.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a lighter, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
Pat McGrath Champagne Gold Sublime Skin Highlighter ($65.00 for 0.22 oz.) is a lighter, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous...
UOMA Beauty Barbados Black Magic Face & Body Bronzing Highlighter ($35.00 for 0.65 oz.) is a rich, deeper copper with strong, warm brown undertones...
UOMA Beauty Barbados Black Magic Face & Body Bronzing Highlighter ($35.00 for 0.65 oz.) is a rich, deeper copper with strong, warm brown undertones...
JD Glow Serenity Pressed Powder Illuminator ($16.50 for 0.28 oz.) is a bright, medium pink base with moderate, warm undertones paired with lighter,...
JD Glow Serenity Pressed Powder Illuminator ($16.50 for 0.28 oz.) is a bright, medium pink base with moderate, warm undertones paired with lighter,...
Rare Beauty Mesmerize Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight ($22.00 for 0.5 oz.) is a light pink with strong, warm undertones and a smooth, pearly...
Rare Beauty Mesmerize Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight ($22.00 for 0.5 oz.) is a light pink with strong, warm undertones and a smooth, pearly...
Chanel Elcat du Desert Illuminating Powder ($70.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium peach with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had...
Chanel Elcat du Desert Illuminating Powder ($70.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium peach with moderate, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had...
Becca Own Your Light Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, yellowy-peach base with peach-to-pink shifting shimmer...
Becca Own Your Light Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, yellowy-peach base with peach-to-pink shifting shimmer...
Glossover Averages
Your Year in Review: Highlighter Edition — Part 2
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year?
- Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters?
- Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021?
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? Usually powder. Unless I use one of ColourPop’s SS Cheek highlighters.
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? Fairly intense, but worn using a lighter hand.
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? Definitely the same!
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? It’s a toss up between liquid and powder (I liked mixing the liquids with my moisturizer just to give my face a bit of “oomph”
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? I tend to go for subtle but I do like a highlighter that can be built up in intensity without looking cakey or sort of “clotted”.
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? Once Covid has been kicked to the ground (if it ever is), I might just go crazy and cover myself in highlighter but in reality, I’ll probably use about the same amount as ever (after my initial joy and over-indulging in what I slap on my punim is over!)
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? As always, powder!
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? Intense!
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? Really hoping more as I hope I’ll get to see my friends again in 2021!
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? Powder. Aside from a few CP Super Shocks, I only use powder highlighters. I don’t use liquids at all.
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? Intense
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? More, as I’ve worn less and less makeup as 2020 dragged on and I hardly left the house.
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? Definitely powder! I own a couple of cream highlights, but they barely get used.
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? I enjoy both for different looks/occasions, but on the daily it is somewhere in the middle: noticeable, but not blinding.
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? Probably more, once I can be maskless (if/when that happens.)
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? powder
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? subtle but I like to build it up on occasion
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? depends on how the vaccines go if I can go out more often I will wear more highlighter and makeup in general.
Highlighter (on the cheekbone, browbone, and inner corner of the eye) is one of the few products I still wear to work, and right now I’ve really only been reaching for ColourPop’s Super Shocks in Flexitarian and Stole the Show. Both shades are on the more intense side; nothing against subtle highlighters when I’m working with a full face, but with so little surface area on show, I feel like more impact is necessary!
I can only hope I’ll wear more, because right now I don’t really *play* with makeup in my free time like I used to. I miss painting my face, buuut I’m also really lazy.
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? Cream and powder. Also a putty highlight from Stila.
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? I like something in between subtle and intense. I really like when a subtle highlight can be built up to a desired intensity.
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? The same. I love highlighter. And I finally found combos that make my skin look moisturized.
What type of highlighter (cream, powder, liquid, etc.) did you use the most this past year? I’m pretty split between powder and cream. Liquid highlighter can look beautiful on me, but with my oily skin it can be a tossup as to whether or not the product disintegrates
Do you opt for subtle or intense highlighters? I’m usually an intense highlighter person, but I’ve been transitioning to liking more subtle highlights
Do you think you’ll wear more, less, or the same amount of highlighter in 2021? Hopefully more as my family gets vaccinated and I can start thinking about moving out on my own