Determining the best highlighter format for you depends on your skin type and how intense or subtle you want your glow. Highlighter drops are superior to other formats for this reason: they allow you to customize just how much radiance you add to your makeup look — you can use one drop for a subtle hint of shimmer, or multiple for a blinding effect. Here, we spoke with a makeup artist for tips on how to use highlighter drops, what to look for when shopping, and the best 13 highlighter drops to add to cart no matter what type of glow you’re aiming for.
Our top 13 highlighter drops, at a glance:
- Best overall: Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, $35
- Best for glow: Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlighter, $40
- Best skin-care infused: Glow Recipe Niacinamide Hue Drops, $35
- Best drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Glow Mon Amour Highlighting Drops, $33
- Best splurge: Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter, $42
- Best for brightness: Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded All-Over Illuminator Drops with Vitamin C, $58
- Best with shimmer: Live Tinted Liquid Highlighter Drops, $22
- Best budget: Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops, $17
- Best lightweight drops: Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Illuminating Drops with 5% Niacinamide, $38
- Best buildable: Fenty Beauty Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter, $32
- Best primer drops: Rodial Soft Focus Glow Booster Drops, $90
- Best with SPF: BeautyBio Illuminizing BLENDROPS, $38
- Best moisturizing: Typology Paris T31 – Glow Drops with 5% Vitamin C + Aloe Vera, $56
How to use highlighter drops
“Highlighter drops are a liquid form of highlight, and are more diverse than creams or powders,” says Brielle Pollara, a New-Jersey-based makeup artist. You can mix highlighter drops into your moisturizer, primer, or foundation — or even wear them on their own. “You can also use them anywhere on the face or body, for a little pop of shimmer on the chest or collarbone,” she says.
To apply highlighter drops, Pollara says to add a few drops of the formula into your product of choice. “Mix it into your moisturizer for a ‘glow from within,’ look, or add some into your foundation for a little extra shine,” she says. You can also apply them as-is over top makeup using a beauty blender or sponge. “Focus it on the cheekbones and other high points of the face,” she adds.
What to look for in highlighter drops
There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing highlighter drops, including their hue, formula, and longevity, according to Pollara. Here’s what to look for when shopping:
The shade
“You want to make sure you’re buying a shade that matches your skin tone,” says Pollara. If you are fair, she recommends opting for a pearl, iridescent shade. If you have tan to medium skin, opt for one that is champagne-colored. “If you have a deeper skin tone, go for golds and bronzes,” she says.
The formula
A consistent, buildable formula is a must when it comes to highlighter drops. You want the highlighter to be easy to build: one drop for a little shimmer, multiple for a lot of glow. You also want the formula to melt seamlessly into the skin for a more natural finish.
The longevity
You want your highlighter to stay all day, so look for a highlighter drops formula that won’t budge or fade. This is not only useful if you’re applying them to the face, but especially important if you plan to apply them to your body. “For extra glow on your body, put a few drops on your shoulders and collarbone and use a dense foundation brush in circular motions to blend it in,” says Pollara.
Shop the best 13 highlighter drops
Best overall: Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops — $35.00
Pollara loves these long-lasting enhancer drops that come in a variety of hues, from rose gold, to bronze, iridescent, copper, and more. The formula has an illuminating finish that will last for hours and give you an all-over glow whether you choose to blend them into your moisturizer or foundation.
Shades: 8
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Some users report that the formula is drying
Best for glow: Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlighter — $40.00
This liquid highlighter option is a popular pick for good reason. It comes in three stunning hues: champagne, terracotta, and peach and instantly adds radiance and dimension to any makeup look. We also love that these contain good-for-your-skin ingredients like green tea, chamomilla flower extract, and vitamin E.
Shades: 3
Best skin-care infused: Glow Recipe Niacinamide Hue Drops — $35.00
Add a warm glow to your complexion with these niacinamide hue drops. Also formulated with niacinamide, centella asiatica, and hyaluronic acid the formula plumps, brightens, and blurs over time. This pick is ideal if you’re looking to add radiance to your skin without having to apply makeup at all.
Shades: 1
- Sheer warm glow finish
- Can be used with or without makeup
- Some users report that this product was not suitable for their sensitive skin
Best drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Glow Mon Amour Highlighting Drops — $33.00
For highlighter drops that you can find at your local drugstore, opt for this shimmery pick. It comes in two shades: a pearly champagne and a sparkling peach that can be mixed into your foundation or moisturizer for added glow. These drops also contain coconut oil to soothe and hydrate the skin.
Shades: 2
- Available at the drugstore
- Blendable
- Users report that the formula fades after a few hours
Best splurge: Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter — $42.00
If you’re a highlighter drops connoisseur looking to splurge on your next highlighter buy, try this glow enhancer formula. It comes in five eye-catching shades: champagne, peach, pink, gold, and bronze, and will add light and dimension to a variety of skin tones. The sheer coverage allows you to build your glow as you please: whether you want to opt for more radiance or less.
Shades: 5
- Multiple hues make them suitable for a variety of skin tones
- Some users report that the formula is too glittery
Best with shimmer: Live Tinted Liquid Highlighter Drops — $22.00
Skin care meets highlighter in this liquid formula that comes in four shimmering shades. The drops contain squalane, hyaluronic acid, and sunflower seed oil to hydrate your skin for hours all while giving you a glowy, refreshed, look.
Shades: 4
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Some users share that the formula is a little oily
Best budget: Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops — $17.00
These under $20 highlighter drops give you a sheer, luminized look. They contain hyaluronic acid and blackberry extract to plump and hydrate the skin, and come in three radiant shades: a bright pink, bronze, and gold.
Shades: 3
- Serum-like feel
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Some users share that the formula is drying
Best buildable: Fenty Beauty Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter — $32.00
For a highlighter drop formula that’s buildable, opt for this liquid pick. It can give you a sheer veil of radiance with just one drop or a bold, light-catching finish with multiple. We also love that this formula comes in a variety of hues to suit multiple skin tones.
Shades: 5
- Shimmery finish
- Long-lasting
- Reviewers share that the pigment is a little too glittery
Best primer drops: Rodial Soft Focus Glow Booster Drops — $90.00
We love these glow booster drops if you’re looking to enhance your skin before makeup application. The formula contains glycerin and antioxidants to protect and soothe the skin and can be mixed with a primer or used on its own under foundation.
Shades: 1
- Formulated with moisturizing skin-care ingredients
- Cruelty-free
Best with SPF: BeautyBio Illuminizing BLENDROPS — $38.00
Give your skin a boost of glow and protection with these SPF drops. It’s formulated with SPF 40, antioxidants, tranexamic acid, and polyglutamic acid to brighten and color-correct the skin. You can use this as a makeup primer or mixed in with your favorite foundation.
Shades: 1
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