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
Magpie is a light-medium peach with strong, warm undertones and a golden, dewy sheen. It had good color coverage applied directly from the...
Magpie is a light-medium peach with strong, warm undertones and a golden, dewy sheen. It had good color coverage applied directly from the...
Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. ...
Sydney Grace Pumpkin Spice Latte Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy orange with warm undertones and a luminous sheen. ...
Sydney Grace Rhythm Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy beige with soft, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Rhythm Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium, peachy beige with soft, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Sydney Grace Keep It a Secret Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink with moderately warm, yellow undertones and a pearly...
Sydney Grace Keep It a Secret Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink with moderately warm, yellow undertones and a pearly...
Sydney Grace Morning Glory Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with soft, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Sydney Grace Morning Glory Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a medium, rosy copper with soft, warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It was...
Catrice Pinch of Rose 3D Glow Highlighter ($6.99 for 0.1 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Catrice Pinch of Rose 3D Glow Highlighter ($6.99 for 0.1 oz.) is a light-medium, pink-coral with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. It had...
Maybelline Knockout MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a cooler, medium-pink base with a strong dose of gold shimmer. ...
Maybelline Knockout MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a cooler, medium-pink base with a strong dose of gold shimmer. ...
Maybelline Nikkie Tutorials MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a bright, golden beige with warm, yellow undertones and a...
Maybelline Nikkie Tutorials MasterChrome Metallic Highlighter ($9.99 for 0.24 oz.) is a bright, golden beige with warm, yellow undertones and a...
Colour Pop 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...
Colour Pop 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...
Andalasia is a light, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. The highlighter was richly pigmented with a...
Andalasia is a light, rosy copper with moderate, warm undertones and a bright, metallic finish. The highlighter was richly pigmented with a...
Sydney Grace Peach Kisses Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink base (with warmer, yellow undertones) with warm, golden...
Sydney Grace Peach Kisses Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a light-medium pink base (with warmer, yellow undertones) with warm, golden...
Colour Pop 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...
Colour Pop 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...
Sydney Grace Pure Joy Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a deep, dirty plum base packed with dirty, gold shimmer that gave it a metallic...
Sydney Grace Pure Joy Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a deep, dirty plum base packed with dirty, gold shimmer that gave it a metallic...
Sydney Grace Cantata Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light-medium peachy-pink base with a strong, gold metallic shimmer. The...
Sydney Grace Cantata Highlighter ($12.00 for 0.25 oz.) is a bright, light-medium peachy-pink base with a strong, gold metallic shimmer. The...
Colour Pop Glow Burst Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter) ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a light-medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling,...
Colour Pop Glow Burst Super Shock Cheek (Highlighter) ($8.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a light-medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling,...
Glossover Averages
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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.