L’Oreal Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99 for 0.67 oz.) is a liquid highlighter that can be used as a specific highlighter (like on cheek bones) or all-over (likely mixed in with a base product, like foundation or moisturizer). The biggest con to these is that they have a very, very short working window as they dry down almost immediately, and they dry down and don’t want to move much and instead the shimmer/sheen flakes off than diffuses or blends out. The texture is liquid but thicker than your typical liquid-based highlighter (which are often a little watery or thin) and is viscous enough to hold its shape in a dollop when you squeeze it out. The squeeze-tube offers a good amount of control over how much you get per use, which is nice. The liquid highlighters seemed to have less visible sparkle/glitter than the powders did, though there are a few bits. It gave the skin a metallic sheen that’s by no means subtle, but it didn’t seem to emphasize pores or the skin’s natural texture. They can be mixed with a base product, but you’ll want to use something with a thinner consistency to help this spread out. The shimmer is larger and may be too intense when mixed in for all-over use, but it will depend on your preferences.

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99 for 0.67 oz.) is a light pink with subtle, warm undertones and a fine golden beige shimmer. It gave the skin a really metallic sheen, and on my medium complexion, appeared as a much brighter highlighter than I expect it’ll look on very light skin. This one had the longest working window, though it’s not long, and you’ll want to work one cheek at a time and use fingertips to avoid the product drying on an applicator. This shade lasted for eight hours. NARS New Order (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Pearl Blossom (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker. Lancome Moonlight Rose (LE, $42.00) is darker. MAC Light Sunshine (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery. L’Oreal Ice (P, $12.99) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99 for 0.67 oz.) is a bright, metallic gold with warm, orange-yellow undertones and a metallic sheen. It was semi-opaque but sheers out quite a bit in practice. It dries down very quickly and is difficult to get to look even–I had the best luck using fingertips with this one. Using a brush resulted in the product drying on the brush and little to none transferring to my skin. It lasted for eight hours on me before turning patchy. Dior Transatlantique (LE, $58.00) is more shimmery, more muted. Becca Champagne Gold (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery. Giorgio Armani No. 10 (P, $59.00) is less shimmery, darker. L’Oreal Golden (P, $12.99) is lighter, brighter. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator ($12.99 for 0.31 oz.) is a medium-dark copper with warm undertones and lighter gold shimmer. This was the most shimmery of the three, and it had a slightly thinner consistency as well. It spread fairly well over the skin, but it does dry down as you’re applying it, so you have to work quickly and do as much spreading initially. You might want to apply a sheer, even layer and build up intensity as needed, which will minimize the need to blend (and should take less time to apply). The color lasted for eight hours before the product started to look patchy on the skin. Laura Mercier Indiscretion (LE, $42.00) is lighter. Laura Geller Ballerina (P, $24.00) is lighter. Becca Rose Gold (P, $41.00) is less shimmery. Becca Blushed Copper (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker. Becca Rose Gold (P, $38.00) is less shimmery. Laura Mercier Spellbound (LE, $42.00) is less shimmery. Bobbi Brown Bronze Glow (LE, $45.00) is warmer. MAC Barbados Girl (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker. Illamasqua Supernatural (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker. Illamasqua Supernatural (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Ice Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Golden Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

L’Oreal Rose Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator