15 Best Highlighters Available In India

1. Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

This metallic highlighter by Maybelline is the best highlighter for the face. It provides an amazing sheen to your skin. It has a beautiful metallic color and is a great option for getting luminous skin. It provides awesome coverage and imparts a glow to your face. It contains pearl pigments that offer a reflective finish to your skin. You can apply it lightly for a subtle glow for a daytime look or build it up for a bold nighttime look. It is created using the Wet Technology, which creates richly hued, heated tones on your face. The powder formula is super soft and allows for seamless application. It is particularly suitable for golden brown Indian skin. This product is very creamy and suits dry skin types particularly well. Pros

Buildable Long-lasting Little amount required Reasonably priced

Cons

Unsatisfactory packaging

2. theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Highlighter

Mary-Lou Manizer is a honey-hued illuminator that is definitely an eye-catcher. This highlighter diffuses light, so your skin not only looks softer and luminous but also younger and glowy. This velvety highlighter has a rich color pay-off and provides great coverage. This illuminator has been formulated with triple-milled pigments, which makes it extremely smooth and soft. It provides a subtle shimmer that can be built up for a more dramatic look. Pros

Multiple uses – highlighter, eyeshadow, and shimmer Highly pigmented Little amount required Long-lasting Blends easily Velvety texture

Cons

Expensive No applicator Limited color options

3. e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Baked Highlighter

e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Baked Highlighter creates a radiant glow on your face. It provides a sheer finish. It is formulated with vitamin E and deeply moisturizing jojoba, rosehip, apricot, sunflower, and grape oils that nourish your skin in addition to providing a shimmering shine. If you want a vibrant effect, apply it wet. For a sheer touch up, apply it dry. It has a great color pay-off, and you need just a mere touch for effect. Pros

Lightweight Highly pigmented Buildable Phthalate-free Paraben-free PETA-certified cruelty-free Vegan

Cons

Expensive

4. Kiss Beauty Highlighter And Contour Concealer Palette

This product is for those women who love products that have multiple uses! This Kiss Beauty palette consists of highlighters, contour shades, and concealers. It offers eight gorgeous color options to choose from. Their light powder formula will be a great fit for you, no matter what your skin tone. This highlighter is extremely moisturizing and forms a protective layer over your skin, protecting it from heavy makeup and dust. It provides a glowy finish and makes your skin appear flawless. It is particularly suitable for those with dry skin. This cream-based highlighter can also mask age spots, dark circles, large pores, and small blemishes. Pros

Multiple uses Several color options Moisturizes the skin Reasonably priced Protects against damage Lightweight

Cons

Not suitable for oily skin

5. Lakme Face Sheer Highlighter

If you want to spice up your look, try this awesome highlighter by Lakme. It is a sheer powder that blends with your natural skin tone seamlessly yet provides a radiant glow. It contains pigments that provide a sun-kissed glow and a slight tint to your cheeks. It comes with a sponge applicator that makes it very easy to apply. This cute highlighter is compact enough to fit in your purse and a great choice for those who need a slight touch-up on the go. It is also a great product for first-time users. Pros

Comes with a sponge applicator Compact Travel-friendly Reasonably priced Buildable Long-lasting

Cons

Not very pigmented

6. Makeup Revolution London Vivid Shimmer

This highlighter by Makeup Revolution combines the warmth of a bronzer with the glow of a highlighter. It provides a gorgeous definition and glow to your skin. Its shimmer brick has several shades in it, so you can choose one of the shades or swirl your brush all over it to pick up all the colors. Whatever you choose, you will be left with glowy, radiant, and lit-from-within skin. It contains a finely-milled shimmer that provides an even and sheer finish. This highlighter is highly pigmented and extremely smooth and soft. It can also be used as an eyeshadow. Each palette contains five beautiful shades, ranging from light to dark. The Radiant palette offers a rose gold shade, a whitish golden shade, a beige shade, a copper brown shade, and a bronze shade. Pros

Multipurpose Long-lasting Several color options Highly pigmented

Cons

Fallout issues

7. Wet N Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder – Blossom Glow

This amazing highlighting powder by Wet n Wild is infused with micro-fine and ultra-reflective pearl pigments. This baked powder adds a radiant and lit-from-within glow to your face. It has a super creamy formula infused with nylon, which gives it a silky-smooth texture and allows it to blend with your skin seamlessly. This highly-pigmented product provides an ultra-pearly finish to your skin. When applied to the brow bone, cheekbones, and cupid’s bow, it provides an all-over radiance to your face. As it is a cool-toned highlighter, it works amazingly well on fair to medium skin tones. Pros

Highly pigmented Easy to blend Long-lasting Little amount required Value for money

Cons

Packaging issues

8. Lakme Absolute Highlighter – Moon Lit

Designed by the famous fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, this limited edition highlighter is great for highlighting and strobing. It provides a reflective shimmer finish and adds a stunning glow to your face. It is formulated with fine velvet pearls that make your skin look flawless. It also provides excellent coverage and is highly pigmented. This two-sided palette not only highlights cheeks but also contours your face. Pros

Dermatologically tested Lightweight Long-lasting Multiple uses – highlight and contour Great pigmentation

Cons

No mirror or applicator provided Expensive

9. Swiss Beauty Brick Highlighter

This baked brick highlighter by Swiss Beauty is a makeup lover’s dream. It instantly highlights the skin and provides a sheer wash of shimmering color. It imparts a soft and natural glow to your face and gives you a healthy, flushed look. The lightweight formula provides a smooth and even application and stays on till you remove it. This product also doubles as a blush and is infused with transparent pigments to prevent excessive product deposit on the skin. It has a luxurious silky formula formulated with micro shimmer particles. If you are looking to create a multidimensional sculpted look, this is the product to invest in. Pros

Multiple uses – highlighter, blush, and bronzer Dermatologically tested Lightweight Long-lasting Reasonably priced Blends seamlessly

Cons

Not suitable for darker skin tones

10. Chubs Shimmer Brick Highlighter – Rose Gold Edition

This beautiful highlighter from Chubs is a glow lover’s dream. This powder product is perfect for those with oily skin as it absorbs the excess oil on your skin and gives it a satin-matte look. It also nourishes and hydrates your skin, making your makeup-wearing experience wonderful. You can not only use this product to add a glow to your cheeks but also to accentuate your eyes. It has a non-creamy texture and is easy to remove. Its lightweight texture also makes it easier to wear this highlighter all day long. As it is highly pigmented, this highlighter stays on for about six hours without any touch-ups. Chubs Shimmer Brick Highlighter consists of five shades in one brick. With such a wide range of color options, it will suit you no matter what your skin tone. Compact and travel-friendly, this highlighter is a must for those who have just started experimenting with makeup. Pros

Multiple uses – highlighter, blush, and eyeshadow Hydrates the skin Lightweight Long-lasting Highly pigmented Reasonably priced

Cons

No applicator provided

11. SUGAR Cosmetics Contour De Force Mini Highlighter – 04 Royal Rose

This mini highlighter by SUGAR comes in super cute packaging. It is versatile and can be used on any part of the face that needs highlighting. All you need is a couple of swipes, and you will get great coverage. This highlighter gives you a youthful, dewy look and enhances your natural complexion. If you want that “lit-from-within” look, you need to invest in this product. It is extremely lightweight and blends effortlessly into your skin to give a natural radiance. This illuminator is densely pigmented and buildable. It provides a gorgeous rosy glow to your face. Pros

Highly pigmented Buildable Dermatologically tested Paraben-free D5-free Oil-free Silicon-free No mineral oil No nano-ingredients Reasonably priced

Cons

Looks chalky on dry skin

12. SERY Flashlite Highlighter Stick Gleam Girl – Pearl

If we are talking about convenience, you can go for this product with your eyes closed. This highlighter comes in an easy-to-use stick form and is awesome for those who need quick touch-ups throughout the day. It has a buildable, velvety formula that imparts a natural-looking glow to your skin. You can use it on your brow bones, cheekbones, the nasal bridge, or any part of your face you want to highlight. It contains precious ultra-fine pearls that impart a silky finish to your face. It is infused with red raspberry extract that moisturizes the skin and keeps the skin cells hydrated and young. This highlighter provides a sheer radiance. However, if you want a dazzling goddess-like look, layer it on. This highlighter blends seamlessly and is suitable for all skin types. It sets within a few seconds. Pros

Crease-proof Blends seamlessly Lightweight Long-lasting Easy to use Lightweight Reasonably priced Paraben-free Preservative-free No mineral oil Cruelty-free Non-comedogenic

Cons None

13. NYX Professional Makeup Away We Glow Liquid Highlighter – Moon Beam

This highlighter by NYX has a light-reflecting formula that provides a shimmery finish. This product is easily buildable and can give you both a soft look and an intense goddess-like glow. This liquid highlighter is great for those who have dry, coarse skin as it is very creamy and moisturizing. It leaves your skin with a gorgeous, dewy glow. It comes in an easy-to-use tube packaging. Moon Beam has warm undertones and a sparkling sheen, and it provides a peachy gold glow to your face. This highlighter is extremely long-lasting and easily stays on for seven hours. Pros

Buildable Intensely pigmented Long-lasting Crease-free Easy to apply

Cons

Takes time to dry

14. MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter

This pen-style highlighter by MAC is oh-so-easy to use! It adds a soft, sheer wash of color to the skin. With its precision tip applicator, it adds glowy radiance just where you want it. This product goes on smoothly and provides cushion-soft wear. You can use it over makeup for highlighting and touch-ups, or under your makeup to brighten your complexion and prime. This highlighter provides instant radiance and is non-drying. Pros

Lightweight Long-lasting Non-acnegenic Non-drying Dermatologist-tested Ophthalmologist-tested Little product required

Cons

Expensive

15. LA Girl Velvet Contour Highlighter Stick – Luminous

This velvety highlighter stick by LA Girl provides an awesome glow to your face. It has a luxurious formula that contains jojoba seed oil, shea butter, grape seed oil, and cocoa seed butter, which deeply nourish your skin. It has a soft powdery finish and blends beautifully with your skin. You can use this highlighter to strobe and contour your face, as well. This product comes in an easy-to-use retractable stick with a twist-up function and a cute transparent cap. It is lightweight, travel-friendly, and great for fair to medium skin tones. This highlighter imparts a warm, very light champagne color to your skin. It has a smooth and buttery texture and glides on your skin like a dream. It provides a natural glow and radiance, but you can layer it on for a dramatic look. Pros

Long-lasting Waterproof Sweat-resistant Easy to apply Blends seamlessly Buildable Cruelty-free Paraben-free Fragrance-free

Cons

Expensive

If you still haven’t added a highlighter to your makeup arsenal, girl, please do so. Makeup enthusiast or not, this product can change your makeup game in so many ways. Using a highlighter can provide several benefits. Let’s take a look at them!

Benefits of Using A Highlighter

Makes you look younger. Helps minimize dark circles. Draws attention to your best features. Freshens up your entire face. Doubles up as an eyeshadow, blush, or contour.

There are many different types of highlighters available on the market. Check them out below.

What Are The Different Types Of Highlighters?

There are mainly five types of highlighters. They are:

1. Powder Highlighter

The “original” or the old-school highlighter is the powder highlighter. It delivers a sheer and shimmery finish. Besides providing a softer application, powder highlighters are often long-lasting and buildable. You can apply them over your foundation or blush for an overall dewy finish. It is essential that you blend these in patiently to avoid getting a stripe of obvious shimmer on your face. Powder highlighters are especially suitable for those with oily skin.

2. Liquid Highlighter

These are some of the most versatile highlighter formulas. Whether you are a makeup enthusiast or a newbie, you can easily maneuver this product. Just apply a tiny dab of liquid highlighter and blend to illuminate and define features or to add an overall shimmer. Liquid highlighters are more pigmented than powder-based formulas, so less is always more with this type of highlighter. As it has a light lotion-like base, it can be added to your foundation and applied. This type of highlighters are perfect for those with oily skin.

3. Stick Or Cream Highlighter

These are extremely user-friendly. They can be used to highlight certain areas of your face like your inner eye corners, your cupid’s bow, and under the brow bone. You don’t even require a brush for these. You can easily carry one around in your purse and use it for touch-ups. These are perfect for those with normal to dry skin.

4. Strobing Creams

If you want that “lit from within” glow, you need to get a strobing cream. You can use this cream as an illuminating primer before or after applying your base makeup. It gives your face a natural glint and is buildable. Though suitable for all types of skin, it may feel greasy on oily skin.

5. Jelly Highlighter

The newest kid on the block is the super chic jelly highlighter. It has a wobbly consistency and lends a pigmented flush of pinkish radiance to the skin. You can build on it to get a luminescent glow. It is suitable for all types of skin. Now, let’s talk about how to apply highlighter.

How To Apply A Highlighter

Applying a highlighter can give your skin a beautiful flush of radiance and highlight your best features. It only takes a couple of seconds to apply because you only need to apply it to a few small portions of your face. However, just a couple of dabs of highlighter can brighten up the entire face. Even if you are new to it, learning to apply a highlighter is super easy. Here’s how to do it!

1. Start By Applying A Foundation And Concealer (If Required)

Applying the foundation and concealer will help you get an even canvas for your highlighter – as well as other makeup products. Concealer helps to hide dark circles and minor imperfections and brighten your skin. Take the time to blend in your foundation before you start applying any highlighter. You can use a sponge or a makeup brush to blend the foundation on your face.

2. Apply Highlighter At The Top Of Your Cheekbones

Use a blush brush or a kabuki brush to apply the highlighter on your temples and the top of your cheekbones. Create a C-shaped curve when doing so.

3. Dab A Bit Of Highlighter On The Tip Of Your Nose

Get a bit of product onto your fingertip and dab it on the tip of your nose. Blend it till there are no stark lines.

4. Apply Highlighter Down The Center Of Your Forehead.

To accentuate your forehead, you can apply a bit of highlighter down the center of the forehead. Sweep it from the hairline towards the bridge of the nose.

5. Apply It To The Inner Corners Of Your Eyes

Take an eyeshadow brush and get a bit of highlighter onto the tip. Then, press the brush lightly onto the corners of the inner eyelids.

6. Sweep The Highlighter Onto Your Brow Bones

The skin just below your eyebrows catches a lot of light, so it is a great place to highlight. Sweep a little highlighter over your brow bones and blend it out.

7. Add A Bit Of Highlighter Just Above The Upper Lip

Also called the cupid’s bow, the area around the center of your upper lip is a great place to highlight. Doing this will draw more attention to the lips. Simply take a little amount of highlighter on your fingertip and lightly press it onto this area.

8. Sweep The Highlighter Over The Center Of Your Chin

This will also draw attention to your lips. Brush some highlighter onto the center of the chin, and blend.

Things To Consider When Buying Highlighters

Shade

When choosing any highlighter, keep in mind your skin tone. For a fair skin tone, shades like golden and peach are the best. For medium skin tone, go for dewy highlighters in golden and champagne hues. For dusky skin tone, opt for copper or bronze shades.

Texture

A perfect highlighter is one that blends seamlessly with the skin to provide a smooth finish. Choose one with a creamy texture as it blends easily and offers a flawless finish.

Purpose

Highlighters can be worn daily or for any occasion. You should pick the best suitable product based on your need. If you are looking for a daily-wear highlighter, opt for one with a matte or pearly finish. If you need it for some party or occasion, go for a creamy or powder-finish highlighter.

Skin Type

Highlighters can be liquid, cream, or powder-based. For dry skin, choose liquid highlighters. For oily or combination skin, you can go with a power-based highlighter. Highlighters are an important part of makeup application. If you want to enhance the brightness, radiance, and vitality of your face, using a highlighter is an easy way to do so. It can take you from a natural, glowy everyday face to a bronze goddess in a few swipes. These 15 highlighters are the best ones in the market – go for the one that will suit your skin and makeup needs and make you glow the entire day! Do I need to put on foundation with a highlighter? You don’t have to wear foundation in order to put on highlighter. However, if you do want complete coverage, this is the perfect time to apply it. If you want a highly dramatic goddess glow, add a few drops of illuminator to your foundation before applying it to your face. Which one is better – liquid or powder highlighter? If your skin is dry, choose a liquid highlighter. If your skin is normal to oily, you should opt for a powder one. Can I put highlighter on my skin every day? Yes, you can if the highlighter is of good quality. However, it is always a good idea to go makeup-free once in a while to let your skin breathe. Are there any side effects of using highlighter? There are no side effects of using a highlighter. However, if you are allergic to certain ingredients in makeup products, you may need to do a patch test before using it all over your face.

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