Makeup Artists Agree—Put Highlighter Here, Here, and Here, and Your Glam Will Look 1000/10
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If you've ever gawked at a celebrity's red carpet photo, wondering, "How the hell do they look so glowy?" you've come to the right place. Yes, celebs often have an entire team of derms and facialists to ensure they arrive with an angel's complexion, and, sure, the lighting at these high-profile events is always A+, but there's a sneakier—and far more attainable—reason their glam looks nothing short of spectacular: body highlighter.
It may seem simple, but according to celebrity makeup artists, this little hack is key for elevating your entire look. "I always say makeup shouldn’t stop at the face," declares celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta. "When the skin on the body has the same lit-from-within radiance as the face, everything feels more cohesive, elevated, and luxurious. It catches light beautifully, especially in photos and on the red carpet." It's why he never lets his own celebrity clients—such as Candice Swanepoel, Lila Moss, Victoria Monét, and Alix Earle—out of his sight without applying a bit of body glow on strategically precise areas. Neither does Charlotte Tilbury, who considers body highlighter one of her red carpet secrets for years. "Body highlighter gilds the skin in glossy, ethereal radiance, drawing light to the center of the limbs to add dimension in the most flattering places," the iconic makeup artist tells Who What Wear. "It makes the skin look healthy and luminous and gives the illusion of a more sculpted, snatched-looking silhouette for that supermodel effect." Three words: Sign me up.
Now, body highlighters cast a rather wide net. Some are thick and balmy, others are serum-like and shimmery, and some even feature complexion benefits like sun protection and skin firming. I've tested basically every one on the market, so scroll ahead to select the best one for your routine and goals, as well as expert application tips for a celeb-level glow.
The Best Body Highlighters, at a Glance
- Best Balm: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm
- Best Sculpting: Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Highlighter
- Best Bronzing: Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer
- Best Lotion: Body Gloss Ultra-Rich Body Lotion
- Best Stick: Dibs Beauty Status Stick Face-and-Body Highlighter
The 8 Best Body Highlighters of 2026
Best Balm: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm
Shades: 2
Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, shea butter esters, rice bran emollients
Scented: No
"I like body products that give glow without looking glittery," shares Ta, and of course his Major Glow Balm fits the bill. Whether you opt for the universal transparent shade (the one I have) or the sun-kissed bronze, you'll wind up with the perfect wet-look finish that doesn't transfer or feel too sticky. It's a must-have for me during spring and summer (when I typically show off more skin), and I love that it comes with a handy applicator brush for a seamless, dewy blend.
Customer review: "WOW. I am so impressed with this. Bought it for summer and wearing it with bikinis, and now I’m wearing it every time a little bit of skin shows. Soooo stunning."
Best Sculpting: Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Highlighter
Shades: N/A
Key Ingredients: Wild pansy extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, rose-hip oil, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera extract, allantoin
Scented: No
With my 5'1" frame, I may not have the extra-long legs of a runway model, but I can create the illusion of lean limbs with this illuminating formula. Pro tip from Tilbury herself: Roll the applicator down the center of your legs to make them look miles long. "I’ve used it across shows, on supermodels for magazine covers, and for red carpet events to create the illusion of longer-looking legs and more sculpted-looking arms. Some celebrities love to wear it on their legs if they are in shorter dresses. Some are obsessed with wearing it for a smooth, flattering glow on their arms and décolletage," she explains.
What's more, this deeply hydrating formula also helps smooth and firm the skin thanks to allantoin, which softens texture, and caffeine, which is a known vasoconstrictor (aka, it constricts blood vessels) that results in an immediate tightening effect. Take it from Tilbury: "It would have made my life so much easier if I had this 20 years ago!"
Customer review: "This Charlotte Tilbury lotion is amazing. It slims and illuminates your legs as if they have been contoured. It doesn't streak or turn them a funny color either. I am hooked and will use this next summer as my go-to leg cream!"
Best Bronzing: Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer
Shades: 5
Key Ingredients: No notable skincare actives
Scented: Yes
This Fenty Beauty luminizer comes in five gorgeous shades, but Penny Drop (a warm copper), is the ultimate sun-kissed pick. Seriously, it makes you look like you just stepped off the beach with a sparkling, vacation-level tan—sans sun damage. While many tinted options tend to transfer (warning: Be careful if you're wearing white!), this formula clings to skin surprisingly well for something so pigmented. Plus, it has the most intoxicating floral vanilla scent. No perfume necessary with this one.
Customer review: "I loved this body luminizer! It provided the perfect amount of sparkle, dried down quickly, wasn't sticky, and although some bits did come off over the night out when I wore it, I find this par for the course for many luminizers and it was very, very little transfer. Didn't bother me at all. You also get a lot in the bottle and a little goes a long way! I took one star off for the price, $59 was a lot for a luminizer, but it's a high end product so I'm not sure what I expected, lol. Don't let the price deter you. This bottle will last a long time. Try it, you'll sparkle like the star you are!!"
Best Lotion: Body Gloss Ultra-Rich Body Lotion
Shades: N/A
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, caprylic triglyceride, vitamin E
Scented: Yes
Remember when Zendaya showed up to the NYC premiere of The Drama with a megawatt glow? It turns out that her makeup artist, Ernesto Casillas, coated her limbs and décolletage with this high-shine body lotion before she hit the carpet. It's earned the reputation as "lip gloss for your legs" due to its ultra-reflective finish, and I suspect that's thanks to the caprylic triglyceride in the formula, which is an oily liquid that supplies a "wet look" effect without feeling too greasy.
Customer review: "Girls RUN do not walk!! It gives you the most insane body glow without the chunky glitter some other products have. It gives you the red carpet glow you wonder how the celebs get. The scent is good too! You need this 10/10."
Best Body Oil: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
Shades: 3
Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil
Scented: Yes
I personally adore a spray-on body oil, as you can easily control the application and ensure a lightweight, non-greasy feel. This one from Anastasia Beverly Hills has just the right sparkly-to-dewy ratio, and it looks absolutely stunning on camera. Not to mention the staying power is incredible. Don't let the silky formula fool you. This stuff stays on all night!
Customer review: "If you love to sparkle and shimmer but you don't want the product you use getting all over everything or feeling greasy, then this is the stuff for you. It dries and doesn't rub off and feels like it's not even there. Plus, it smells lovely."
Best Stick: Dibs Beauty Status Stick Face-and-Body Highlighter
Shades: 4
Key Ingredients: Mango seed butter, avocado oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, niacinamide
Scented: Yes
For precise applications, you can't go wrong with this portable stick. The payoff is quite sheer, so feel free to swipe with abandon without any fear of appearing too oil-slick. I personally love this subtle rose-gold shade, but Unbothered Bronze is also calling my name for summer. A bonus: You can swipe it on your face as well, making it a true hero for an allover glow.
Customer review: "Perfect amount of shimmer and color to highlight collar bone/other areas on body. Goes on smooth and blends easily! Lasted all night."
Best Scent: Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil
Shades: 2
Key Ingredients: Cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, coconut oil
Scented: Yes
The last time I wore this shimmery body oil, two people immediately told me I smelled nice. Talk about a compliment magnet. Of course, if you're familiar with Sol de Janeiro's cult-favorite fragrances, then you know its Cheirosa 62 scent, with its whiffs of pistachio and salted caramel, is such a head-turner. This highlighter features the same intoxicating aroma while drenching your limbs in shimmery moisture. Win-win.
Customer review: "I tried this at my best friend's house and I absolutely loved it. It was the perfect glow and shimmer without being overly sparkly, and it didn't transfer onto anything I was wearing and I could barely feel it! Definitely a must have."
Best With SPF: Kopari Beauty Sun Veil Illuminating Sunscreen SPF 30
Shades: 1
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, ethically sourced mica
Scented: Yes
A skincare product that makes you look radiant and protects your complexion from harsh UV rays? Sounds like a dream, honestly. This SPF 30 powder delivers 100% mineral sun protection and a soft, golden glow without feeling chalky or cakey over layers of body oil and/or lotion. It shouldn't be your only source of SPF, especially if you're headed into direct sun, but it's an A+ topper you'll want to throw in your beach bag—especially when you catch a whiff of its tropical coconut milk scent.
Customer review: "Gives a beautiful sheen, no disco-glitter here. Doesn't give much color but the sheen is really pretty, the amazing brush is like silk and the feeling after applying is fresh and clean."
What to Look For
- Format: Body highlighters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you prefer an allover glow, you might find success with a shimmery body oil or glossy lotion, which often come in bigger bottles. If you're hoping to apply just a bit on precise areas (your collarbones, tops of the shoulders, etc.) a balm or stick with an accompanying brush might serve you well.
- Shades: You can certainly opt for a balm, oil, or lotion with zero tint (just a healthy, glossy glow), or you can find formulas with a champagne, pink, or bronze hue for a bit more warmth. Ultimately, it's up to personal preference.
- Skincare perks: Why not get the most bang for your buck? Most body highlighters are brimming with healthy hydrators—hyaluronic acid, squalane, and plant-based oils, for example—but you can also snag one with extra benefits like sun protection, skin-tightening, and a glorious scent (not a skincare benefit, per se, but an extra perk nonetheless!).
How to Apply Body Highlighter
You'll want to apply body highlighter as the last step of your makeup routine, ideally once your outfit is on and you're almost ready to head out the door. "That way, you can see exactly where the skin will be exposed and place the glow intentionally," Ta notes. It also ensures that your glow will look super fresh and radiant. "I’ll usually do final touch-ups on the body at the same time I’m doing the last complexion touches on the face," he adds. At home, I personally like to apply my body highlighter right before spritzing on my fragrance—the very last step of my beauty routine.
If you choose to apply any bodycare beforehand (which you certainly should, says Tilbury, who recommends pairing her highlighter with her Magic Body Cream), make sure it has a moment to absorb before adding more glow. "Smooth, hydrated skin reflects light so beautifully, so prepping your skin makes all the difference," Tilbury adds.
As for where to apply? "My go-to placements are always the collarbones, tops of shoulders, décolletage, your arms, and down the legs," Ta advises. "Those areas naturally catch the light and instantly make the skin look more sculpted." Tilbury seconds those placements, suggesting you focus on the center of your arms and legs to create the illusion of length. Of course, you can feel free to apply anywhere else you're showing skin (or skip any clothed areas); the great thing about a good body highlighter is that you can't go overboard. Bring on the glow.
Can You Use Regular Highlighter on Your Body?
Technically, you totally can. Especially if you only want a bit of glow on precise areas—like, say, the collarbones—there's nothing stopping you from dusting on your everyday highlighting powder or dabbing on a pearly liquid formula. That said, "body products are usually formulated differently," explains Ta. "Face highlighters are often more concentrated, while body luminizers are designed to diffuse over larger areas and melt into the skin more seamlessly." So if you're hoping for more coverage, it's best to snag one of these body versions above. And as Ta mentioned, any glitter particles tend to disperse much more effortlessly in a properly formulated body product, which winds up looking more realistic.
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