Highlighters Under $15 | 2019 Editor's Favorites

In 2019, I tested just over 200 highlighters, and I’ve broken out my favorites by price point! I loved the ColourPop Lite Stix, which was a cream-based highlighter formula that performed quite well (surprisingly long-wearing for as dewy as it was!). Sydney Grace didn’t let me down after working through most of their highlighter range!  I wish Maybelline would bring back Knockout and make it permanent–it sold out pretty quickly, unfortunately.

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 2019, 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 2018 if you missed it.)

Temptalia’s Favorite Highlighters Under $15 | 2019

Your Year in Review: Highlighter Edition — Part 1

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 highlighter did you use the most this year? The least?
  • Do you purchase any new highlighters this year?
  • Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020?

6 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Jennifer Avatar

I hope you can get to Golden Wonder and Satin Kicks from the Sydney Grace line.

I did buy a few highlighters this year, surprising myself. I finally caught the highlighter bug, a bit late.

In any case, I am eyeing the new LE Becca rat one for next year, so I could definitely be tempted.

Nancy T Avatar

What highlighter did you use the most this year? Probably ABH Amrezy. Also, mixing Nars King’s Road and Friction together for an icier highlighter shade. Or Hourglass Ghost Quad’s Brilliant Nude, as mine has mostly pale veining.

The least? Many, but I’m not sure what ones are at the absolute bottom of the heap.

Do you purchase any new highlighters this year? Yes, I sure did. Mostly in palettes.

Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020? Probably some of the Sidney Grace highlighters! And either the MAC or Clinique Chinese New Year highlighter!

Seraphine Avatar

What highlighter did you use the most this year? Diorskin Nude Luminizer

The least? ABH Moonchild Glow Kit (I wish I hadn’t bought it.)

Do you purchase any new highlighters this year? Just ColourPop Stix in Urth, which was part of a set, and the two highlighters in the MAC Star-Dipped Palette.

Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020? No, I don’t use them very often and I have way more than I’ll ever need.

Rachel R. Avatar

What highlighter did you use the most this year? I’m not sure. Contenders; ABH Pink Heart; Looxi Beauty Ever After, MUG Celestial. I also used e.l.f. Blush in Gotta Glow a lot, because I was trying to use up my last pan of it. (It was DC a long time ago, sadly.)
The least? No idea. There are several I’ve neglected.

Do you purchase any new highlighters this year? Yes

Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020? Yes, if they’re unique enough.

Sue Avatar

What highlighter did you use the most this year? — Becca Berlin Girl Glow and Maybelline Knockout, depending on cool/neutral vs. warm looks. It’s a tremendous tragedy that both are LE.

The least? — Becca Pearl. I’m not into the icy white look anymore.

Do you purchase any new highlighters this year? — Becca Berlin Girl Glow (plus a backup…) and Maybelline Knockout

Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020? — Nope, I think I’m set for now!

Celesta Avatar

What highlighter did you use the most this year? The least? I used my CT Hollywood Flawless Filter and Hollywood Light Wand the most this year. I probably used my powder highlighters the least, most specifically Colourpop Flexitarian, simply because it was TOO blinding.

Do you purchase any new highlighters this year? I purchased BareMinerals Joy (BEAUTIFUL), ND Bloom palette and Blush & Glow Mini palette, and Kaleidos Highlighter in Star Surfer.

Could you be swayed to purchase a new highlighter in 2020? If it was something completely unique and different, maybe? But I really want to do a low-buy in the coming year and focus on using what I have.

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!