I’ve Tested Hundreds of Highlighters, But These Ones Are My Go-To for a Natural Glow

This is one of the very few highlighters that I can rely on to make my tired skin look instantly fresher, without looking like I'm wearing much makeup at all. This Merit Beauty highlighter has a beautifully balmy texture (thanks in part to an infusion of hydrating squalane and an amino acid blend) that glides on with very little work required on your part. It's so creamy that you'd think it actually disappears into the skin if it wasn't for the soft, candlelit sheen that it leaves behind. I genuinely like it best worn on bare skin after my skincare, as it basically gives the impression that you've had eight hours of sleep—although it looks equally beautiful layered over foundation. If you also love a minimal makeup routine, then I think this will definitely appeal.

Frankly, I've never met a Victoria Beckham Beauty product that I didn't love, so while this is on the pricier side for a cream highlighter, the quality immediately sets it apart from so many on the market. This is a really sophisticated formula that gives the illusion that you've just had a 5-star facial rather than slicked on a product designed to add obvious shine. The creamy stick glides on beautifully to both bare skin and over makeup, and leaves a smooth, light-reflective finish that really catches the eye without looking sparkly.

Grier also rates this for oily skin. "It dries down to an almost velvet-matte finish and lasts the day, yet still gives a lovely glow," she explains. "It's best applied with fingers, but is excellent for long days such as weddings and occasions when there will be humidity."

If you like having control over the intensity of your glow, then this is a wonderfully versatile option. The first thing I noticed when I tested it was how easy it was to customise, depending on the look I wanted that day. A light layer—just a few taps of my fingertips—creates a really soft, luminous glow that's perfect for everyday wear, while applying it with a brush means you can build up a more noticeable look for evenings. I love the creamy texture and how well it blends into skin, but also over more heavy-duty foundations without disturbing the product underneath. What really earns it a place here, though, is how versatile it is, so I think both highlighter newbies and connoisseurs of glow will love it.

I avoided cream highlighters for a long time because my skin skews on the oilier side, and I was worried that I'd end up looking worryingly slick by lunchtime. This Ilia cream-to-powder formula is perfect if you feel similarly, as it has all the blendability and dewiness of a great cream texture but with the staying power of a powder. It's easy to blend with fingers and is really effective at bringing light and life back to the high points of the face without looking overtly shiny. Plus, the added benefit of that powder finish is that it wears well throughout the day and layers nicely with other products, too.

While this isn't a traditional cream highlighter in the strictest sense, it has earned its place on the list because of the way it adds a natural glow and works particularly well on dry or more mature skin. I have already mentioned that my skin skews on the oily side, but now that I'm 37, I'm definitely noticing signs of dehydration and dry patches too. Enriched with nourishing oils, this Jones Road balm melts into the skin with the warmth of your fingertips to add a juicy sheen and glorious hydration wherever you need it. Just remember to break the seal on the top of the balm first by pushing it in with your finger to get to the product beneath.

I will admit that in the cream category, a lot of my favourites are on the more premium side of things, but not every amazing highlighter needs a luxury price tag, as this affordable option proves. What makes it particularly appealing is just how easy it is to use—a twist-up stick for quick and targeted application with very little elbow grease needed to blend it in. It imparts a flattering sheen onto the skin that feels wearable for everyday, but could be layered up if you like a more dramatic gleam. It's the perfect accessible entry point into cream highlighters.

As someone who appreciates products that streamline my routine, I loved that this combines the brightening effect of a highlighter with the flattering glow of a bronzer. During testing, it instantly brought life back to my complexion, adding both warmth and radiance in a single step, and I love how the cream-gel texture blends beautifully into the skin. The most impressive thing about this product, though, is how naturally the colour and glow work together to leave skin with a lit-from-within glow that looks so healthy and bright. It's particularly useful on busy mornings when I want maximum impact from as few products as possible before heading out on the school run.

I'm going to say straight up that if you're after a really traditional cream highlighter, then this probably won't be the product for you. Because it's more of a gel-like texture, what it offers is an intensely glossy, almost wet-look finish that will leave skin looking like you never skipped your daily water quota. I think this will really come into its own during the summer months—I can imagine patting this onto cheekbones to add luminosity to the skin on laidback pool days. Despite its overtly glossy appearance, it never feels heavy or uncomfortable on the skin, though. So if you're not afraid of a little extra shine, Refy delivers one of the most distinctive finishes in the category.

Some highlighters require careful blending and a bit of patience, but this isn't one of them. The water-based formula has a lightweight, almost cooling feel and deposits an impressive amount of luminosity with a single swipe. I found myself reaching for it on rushed mornings because it instantly made my complexion look more awake and energised. It gives skin a juicy, dewy quality that catches the light beautifully and takes minimal effort.