They can be nice, but I tend to prefer powder products for ease and wear, so I rarely will reach for a cream highlighter. I’d also say my preference leans toward a heavier, more obvious highlight so creams usually are subtle!
— Christine
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Not a fan of any cream cheek product. The closest thing to a cream highlighter I’ve tried is Colourpop’s Super Shock in the shade Monster. I think they call it cream powder. I have trouble getting it to work on my face. It’s either too intense or barely there, with no middle ground. So I’ve stayed away from creams after trying this one. It got such a great rating on Temptalia…maybe I’m using it the wrong way.
In general, I wear very little highlighter, just a bit on my cheekbones, but I much prefer powder. (Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Highlighter 01, to be exact.)
I really want to find a cream highlighter that works. I like the effect on bare skin as they often have a glossier look than powder highlighter, HOWEVER (!) they ALWAYs disrupt my base! It will make my foundation break down or will smear it no matter how I apply it, brushes, cream sticks, patting on with fingertips. It’s really frustrating as I doubt il find one that doesn’t do that
^ This is my issue with most of them. They only really work on bare skin or other cream foundations.
2 formulas I like ate the Maybelline strobe stick and the Joe Fresh one which I still use but it only came in one colour. They have a drier more wax-based formula compared to all the other more emollient cream ones. It only makes sense to make cream highlighter if you have cream foundations as well.
I only have one cream highlight and it is Becca Pearl in the poured version. I am not sure why I hold onto it as I never use it. It doesn’t apply well to my skin and really emphasizes the texture on my skin, not to mention disrupts my foundation. Not a fan of cream highlighters.
I have it, too. My problem isn’t pores, but getting it to look subtle. It takes a lot of tapping with fingertips and a tiny, tiny bit of product. Lots of people put it on under their foundation. Speaking of, I haven’t done that in awhile. I didn’t like my foundation at the time, so I’ve got to try it again.
L Eldridge had a video applying it like that, but it was quite some time ago. It looked great. Of course, whatever she does look pretty great to me. But, it did look subtle. She does subtle well.
Love them as I prefer a subtle highlight — but they can get a little messy….
I love that they can be more subtle, especially for “no makeup” looks, or going into the office. But they can be difficult to apply, and tend to wear off faster.
I love certain liquid highlighters a lot, but cream is even more rare in my collection and often doesn’t happen. Usually due to me forgetting my intention until after I have fully powdered my face…oops!
I LOVE cream and liquid products, and now that I stopped wearing foundation I pretty much have nothing bad to say about cream highlights. They used to get a little funky looking when I applied too much or in the wrong way, but now I just slap them on with a finger and blend with a sponge.
Cream highlighters do not emphasize my lines the way powders do so I prefer them in places like around my mouth. My glasses hide the lines around my eyes so I actually use a powder there but if I didn’t wear glasses, I would not be able to do that.
The only creams I like in a highlighter are the ones I have from ColourPop, because they are a cream-to-powder and therefore, aren’t greasy. Other than those or something like that, nope, not really.
I do love the way they look (subtle, glossy rather than sparkly) but I have to be so careful that they don’t lift my base, and since I can’t powder over them without killing the finish, they don’t wear too well.
I only use cream or liquid highlighters, but I use them very rarely. In my experience, those that come in a stick are easiest (and fastest) to apply/blend.
As an older beauty, I am starting to use more cream products, including highlighters, because they apply and blend smoothly, and thus do not add unwanted “texture” to my skin as powders do!
The MJB coconut highlighter is my current favorite!
I don’t particularly like any cream cheek products because it is so easy to over use and you can end up looking like a clown. Besides they can be messy too.
I like cream highlighters for day. I have drier skin and like a more subtle look. My favorite product to use right now is Chanel’s Soleil Tan de Chanel. It is described as a “sheer illuminating fluid” and looks like golden bronze shimmer in the jar. However, on my fair skin, it just looks glowy and super fresh (but not tan). I wear it on bare skin or over a tinted moisturizer and it looks beautiful.
For evening, however, I do like a stronger look and will switch over to a powder highlighter with foundation.