Highlighters (Over $15) | 2021 Editor's Favorites

Christine — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 18:00:00 +0000

Like with blush, there were more cream and liquid highlighters released in 2021 with less new powder releases. Out of just over 100 single highlighters I reviewed, you’ll find 14 of my very favorites shown below.

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 2021, 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 the best of 2020 posts if you missed last year’s.)

Temptalia’s Favorite Highlighters (Over $15) | 2021

01.

01. Pyrite Auric

Auric

PPermanent. $45.00/1.13 oz.

A+

Auric Pyrite Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer ($45.00 for 1.13 oz.) is a darker beige with muted, golden olive undertones and a natural sheen. It had fine...

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Auric Pyrite Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer ($45.00 for 1.13 oz.) is a darker beige with muted, golden olive undertones and a natural sheen. It had fine...

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02.

02. Morganite 2.0 Auric

Auric

PPermanent. $45.00/1.13 oz.

A+

Auric Morganite 2.0 Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer ($45.00 for 1.13 oz.) is a light beige with soft, warm undertones and a fine, pearly sheen. It had a...

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Auric Morganite 2.0 Glow Lust Radiant Luminizer ($45.00 for 1.13 oz.) is a light beige with soft, warm undertones and a fine, pearly sheen. It had a...

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03.

03. Lunar Nude Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

LELimited Edition. $60.00/0.42 oz.

A+

Pat McGrath Lunar Nude Sublime Skin Highlighter ($60.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a medium, golden peach with warmer undertones and fine micro-sparkle that...

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Pat McGrath Lunar Nude Sublime Skin Highlighter ($60.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a medium, golden peach with warmer undertones and fine micro-sparkle that...

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04.

04. Divine Rose Pat McGrath

Pat McGrath

PPermanent. $48.00/0.35 oz.

Pat McGrath Divine Rose Ultra Glow Highlighter ($48.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium, warmer pink base with peachy-gold shimmer through that was...

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Pat McGrath Divine Rose Ultra Glow Highlighter ($48.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a light-medium, warmer pink base with peachy-gold shimmer through that was...

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05.

05. Fleur Sure MAC

MAC

LELimited Edition. $42.00/0.31 oz.

MAC Fleur Sure Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($37.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light peach with warmer, more orange undertones and a slightly cooler, iridescent...

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MAC Fleur Sure Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($37.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light peach with warmer, more orange undertones and a slightly cooler, iridescent...

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06.

06. Rosewood Glow (05) Dior

Dior

PPermanent. $50.00/0.21 oz.

Dior Rosewood Glow (05) Dior Forever Couture Luminizer ($48.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy copper with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic...

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Dior Rosewood Glow (05) Dior Forever Couture Luminizer ($48.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium-dark, rosy copper with subtle, warm undertones and a metallic...

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07.

07. Chromosphere Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $18.00/0.18 oz.

Lethal Cosmetics Chromosphere Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a very light peach with a pinker undertone and warmer, golden...

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Lethal Cosmetics Chromosphere Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a very light peach with a pinker undertone and warmer, golden...

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08.

08. Hi Angel Becca

Becca

LELimited Edition. $38.00/0.25 oz.

Becca Hi Angel Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) has a soft, warmer peachy-copper base with iridescent, blue-to-violet shifting...

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Becca Hi Angel Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38.00 for 0.25 oz.) has a soft, warmer peachy-copper base with iridescent, blue-to-violet shifting...

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09.

09. Coral Glow (06) Dior

Dior

PPermanent. $50.00/0.21 oz.

Dior Coral Glow (06) Dior Forever Couture Luminizer ($48.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warmer, contrasting peachy-gold shimmer...

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Dior Coral Glow (06) Dior Forever Couture Luminizer ($48.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with warmer, contrasting peachy-gold shimmer...

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10.

10. Quantum Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $18.00/0.18 oz.

Lethal Cosmetics Quantum Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral base with lighter, golden shimmer throughout that...

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Lethal Cosmetics Quantum Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a medium, pink-coral base with lighter, golden shimmer throughout that...

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11.

11. Crystal Nebula Lisa Eldridge

Lisa Eldridge

PPermanent. $38.00/0.43 oz.

Lisa Eldridge Crystal Nebula Elevated Glow Highlighter ($38.00 for 0.43 oz.) is a light, yellowy gold with fine, lighter pearl and a soft, luminous...

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Lisa Eldridge Crystal Nebula Elevated Glow Highlighter ($38.00 for 0.43 oz.) is a light, yellowy gold with fine, lighter pearl and a soft, luminous...

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12.

12. Flare Lethal Cosmetics

Lethal Cosmetics

PPermanent. $18.00/0.18 oz.

A-

Lethal Cosmetics Flare Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium copper with warm, reddish-brown undertones and a luminous...

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Lethal Cosmetics Flare Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a light-medium copper with warm, reddish-brown undertones and a luminous...

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13.

13. Dew of Dawn Phytosurgence

Phytosurgence

PPermanent. $26.01/0.25 oz.

A-

Phytosurgence Dew of Dawn Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy gold with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It...

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Phytosurgence Dew of Dawn Spectral Shine Radiance Balm ($26.01 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy gold with warm undertones and a satin sheen. It...

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14.

14. Helios Huda Beauty

Huda Beauty

PPermanent. $55.00/1.05 oz.

B+

Huda Beauty Helios N.Y.M.P.H. All Over Highlighting Powder ($55.00 for 1.05 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a...

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Huda Beauty Helios N.Y.M.P.H. All Over Highlighting Powder ($55.00 for 1.05 oz.) is a rich, golden bronze with strong, warm undertones and a...

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Side-by-Side Swatches

Glossover Breakdown

96%

Average

Glossover Averages

product

9.5

pigmentation

texture

9.5

longevity

application

Total

96%

product

9.5

pigmentation

texture

9.5

longevity

application

Total

96%

Your Year in Review: Highlighter Edition

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!

Feel free to break it down by price (over $15) if that makes sense to you since there was an under $15 highlighter post previously.

What was your most used highlighter? Least used?
Will you repurchase it or will you look for something new?
Was highlighter a big part of your routine in 2021?

Pat McGrath Lunar Nude Sublime Skin Highlighter