3 Best Highlighters for Achieving a Dewy Glow
If you’re aiming for a natural, dewy glow, selecting the right highlighter can be a game-changer, but not all products deliver the same luminous effect or hydration benefits. You’ll want something lightweight, like a liquid formula infused with nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and squalane, which help boost moisture and enhance radiance without emphasizing texture or shine. The choices—like SHEGLAM Glow Bloom, ColourPop Hi-Lite Dewy, and e.l.f. Halo Glow—each have their strengths for different skin types and preferences. Yet, understanding how they work, applying methods, and balancing shine with natural finish makes all the difference—so, let’s compare these options more carefully.
SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter
- ILLUMINATE YOUR BEAUTY: Unleash your inner glow with our stunning highlighter makeup collection. Experience...
- RADIANT AND HYDRATED: Infused with nourishing ingredients, our highlighter keeps your skin hydrated while...
- VERSATILE ILLUMINATION: Customize your look with our range of highlighter products. Accentuate your features...
If you want a highlighter that makes your skin look fresh and shiny all day, the SHEGLAM Glow Bloom Liquid Waterproof Highlighter is a good choice. It gives a bright, glowing finish that makes your natural skin look radiant. The highlighter is waterproof, so it works well even if you’re outside in the humidity or busy all day.
This product has ingredients that help hydrate your skin. It adds a healthy, “lit-from-within” glow. You can use just a little for a natural look or add more to make the shine stronger. Remember, since it’s a liquid, it might be harder to blend at first. Once you get the hang of it, you can create a nicely radiant and dewy look. It’s good for many makeup styles and easy to build up.
Best For: People who want a long-lasting, radiant highlighter that helps their skin glow naturally. It works well with different types of makeup.
Pros:
- Gives a bright, dewy shine that stays all day
- Keeps your skin hydrated and healthy
- Waterproof, so it’s good for humid weather and busy days
Cons:
- Liquid texture might be hard to blend at first
- You might need to layer it for a more bold look
- Applying it exactly can be trickier than powder highlighters
This highlighter works best if you want a glow that makes your skin look fresh and lively. It lasts long and suits many styles. Just be careful when you apply it, and it will give you a beautiful shine.
ColourPop Hi-Lite Dewy Liquid Highlighter with Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide
- Luminous, Dewy Glow - This liquid highlighter makeup features superfine, light-reflecting pearls that create...
- Hydrating Formula - Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, and Niacinamide, this face & body...
- Buildable & Blendable - The lightweight, non-sticky texture blends seamlessly into your skin, layering...
The ColourPop Hi-Lite Dewy Liquid Highlighter is a great pick if you want a glow that looks fresh and natural. It gives your skin a shiny, glass-like shine that blends easy over bare skin or with makeup. It is packed with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, which helps your skin hold onto moisture. It also has Niacinamide, which brightens your skin and makes it look smooth. The highlighter has tiny pearls that reflect light and make your face glow softly. You can put it on with your fingers, a brush, or a sponge. You can add more for a stronger glow or mix it with other products to customize your look. It is lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky. Just be careful not to apply too much, or it could look greasy.
Best for: people who want a light, hydrating highlighter that adds a natural, dewy shine to skin or makeup.
Pros:
- Includes good ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide for extra skin benefits
- Easy to blend and build for different levels of shine
- Works on your face and body, perfect for layering or wearing alone
Cons:
- Too much can make your skin look greasy or overly shiny
- Might not be best if you have very oily or acne-prone skin because it adds moisture and shine
- To keep a subtle glow, apply carefully to avoid too much shine
e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand, Liquid Highlighter Wand for Luminous Skin
- LIQUID HIGHLIGHTING WAND: Get glowing in seconds with a wave of this magic highlighting wand for dewy, radiant...
- CREATES LIT-FROM-WITHIN GLOW: The lightweight liquid formula is infused with hydrating squalane to create that...
- BUILDABLE & BLENDABLE FORMULA: Buildable highlighting formula effortlessly blends into skin.
The e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand is a favorite for many people who want a natural, glowing look. It has a lightweight, liquid formula that is easy to blend into the skin. You can use it lightly for a soft glow or add more layers for a brighter shine. It is made with 2% squalane, which helps keep your skin moist and healthy.
The wand comes with a cushion-tip applicator. This makes it easy to put the highlighter exactly where you want it on your face. The shades include Champagne Campaign, Rose Quartz, and Liquid Gold. These colors help your skin look fresh and luminous.
This product is cruelty-free and vegan. Because the formula is thin, you may need to layer it to get the brightness you like. If you want a very pigmented highlighter, this might not be the best choice.
Best for: people who want a light, buildable highlighter to make their skin look dewy and glowing. It works well for subtle to moderate shine.
Pros:
- Easy to blend and add more for a brighter glow
- Contains squalane to help your skin stay moist
- Precise for targeted highlighting with the cushion tip
Cons:
- The thin liquid needs multiple layers for full brightness
- Not great for those wanting a very bold or opaque highlighter
- Limited shades for very deep skin tones or cool undertones
This highlighter is simple to use and perfect for anyone who wants a natural glow that’s easy to build up.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Highlighters for Dewy Glow
When selecting a highlighter for a dewy glow, it’s important to evaluate your skin type, as oily skin might need a more matte finish to prevent excess shine, while dry skin benefits from hydrating ingredients like glycerin or shea butter that boost radiance. The finish and texture, whether luminous or satin, can dramatically influence the overall glow and how natural it looks on your skin, so trying different formulas—liquid, cream, or powder—helps find the best match. Additionally, thinking about ingredients such as mica for shimmer or beneficial components like antioxidants can give your skin a subtle boost, while application techniques and layering can amplify or soften that glow for various occasions.
Skin Type Compatibility
Have you ever thought about how your skin type affects which highlighter works best? If you have oily skin, choose powder or matte highlighters. These help control shine and make your skin look less greasy. They give a natural glow without making you look shiny all over.
If your skin is dry or dehydrated, liquids or creams are better. These add moisture and make your skin look dewy and fresh. They help hide dryness and give a smooth shine.
People with sensitive skin should pick highlighters that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. These options won’t irritate your skin and will keep you comfortable.
For those with combination skin, try both types. Use liquid highlighter on dry areas to add glow. Use powder on oily spots to control shine. This makes your skin look even and radiant.
Remember to match the highlighter shade to your skin tone. Picking the right color makes your natural glow look even better.
Finish and Texture
Picking the right finish and texture for your highlighter can make a big difference. Some formulas blend well and give your skin a natural, dewy shine. Others can look too shiny or hide that soft glow you want. For a true glow, use highlighters that are moist, creamy, or liquid. These types blend easily and build up a nice, natural shine, kind of like your skin’s own glow.
Powder highlighters can also give a dewy look. Choose powders with a fine, soft texture. To make them even more luminous, use a damp brush when applying. The key is to pick products with ingredients that hydrate or reflect light. Look for ones with hyaluronic acid or tiny reflective beads. These help boost your radiance without making your skin look heavy or shiny.
How you put on your highlighter matters too. The right product and application method can help you get a fresh, natural glow.
Ingredient Benefits
The right ingredients can make your highlighter work better. They help give you that shiny, glowing look and make your skin look fresh. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane keep your skin moist and soft. When your skin stays hydrated, it looks plump and bright. Light-reflecting pearls and tiny shimmer particles catch and bounce light. This makes your skin appear more luminous. Nourishing ingredients can also make your skin feel smoother over time. They help improve how your skin feels and looks.
Choose products with gentle, safe ingredients. These are less likely to cause irritation or pimples. If you care about cruelty-free and vegan options, look for those labels. They fit a conscious skincare style. But remember, some of these options may limit the formulas available.
In short, good ingredients can boost your glow. They help your skin look dewy, radiant, and healthy.
Application Techniques
Using highlighter the right way can make your skin look fresh and glowing. If you put it on with your fingers, the warmth helps the product melt into your skin, giving a natural shine. But, using fingers can sometimes be harder to control.
A damp sponge is great for blending highlighter smoothly. It helps you get a soft, dewy look with fewer streaks. You can add more highlighter little by little. This way, you avoid putting on too much at once. You can keep adding until you get the shine you want. For a subtle glow, use less. For a bright, glowing look, add a bit more.
Focus on spots where you want to stand out. Put the highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow (the curve above your lips). These spots catch light naturally and will help your face look more radiant.
You can also mix liquid or cream highlighter into your foundation or moisturizer. This makes your whole face look shiny and fresh. But, make sure to blend well so the product does not look patchy.
Using highlighter in these ways can help you get a beautiful, glowing look that fits your style.
Versatility and Layering
If you want a highlighter that gives you a nice dewy glow, it’s important to pick one that is versatile and easy to layer. A versatile highlighter works well with different makeup products like foundation, moisturizer, or body lotion. It lets you create many kinds of shine—from a soft glow to a bold sparkle.
Layering is also key. Buildable formulas let you add more product to make your face look brighter or more dewy. You can control how much glow you want without it looking heavy or uneven. Multi-use highlighters are a good choice too. You can put them on your face, body, or mix them with other products for different effects.
Good highlighters have fine pigments that help them blend smoothly. They often include nourishing ingredients that make your skin look better. Just be careful not to layer too much, or your glow might look less natural. A good highlighter combines versatility and layering so you can customize your look easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Highlighters Be Used on All Skin Types?
Yes, highlighters work on all skin types. You just need to choose the right formula—powder, liquid, or cream—and shade that complements your skin tone for a natural, radiant glow.
How Long-Lasting Are Liquid Highlighters?
Liquid highlighters typically last around 4-8 hours, depending on your skin type, application method, and setting products used. To boost longevity, apply a primer beforehand and set with a translucent powder or spray for a dewy finish.
Are Drugstore Highlighters as Effective as High-End Ones?
Drugstore highlighters can be just as effective as high-end ones if you choose quality formulas and correct application techniques. You’ll find affordable options that blend well, enhance your glow, and last throughout your day.
What’s the Best Way to Blend Highlighter for a Natural Look?
To blend highlighter naturally, apply a small amount with your fingertip or brush, then gently tap and blend outward, focusing on the high points of your face. Build gradually for a seamless, radiant finish that looks effortless.
Can Highlighters Be Used on Body Skin?
Yes, you can use highlighters on your body skin. Apply a small amount to areas like collarbones, shoulders, or legs for a luminous, natural glow. Blend well to avoid excess shininess and achieve a seamless look.