12 Glitter-Free Highlighters For a Natural, Dewy Glow
Merit / Rare Beauty / Tower28 / Byrdie
Reviewed by Jaleesa Jaikaran
When choosing a highlighter, the sky's the limit. From liquid to cream to powder formulas, the beauty industry is teeming with highlight options—especially when it comes to finishes. Some prefer their highlight to be glam and glittery, while others enjoy a natural, dewy glow. Here, let's discuss options for the latter camp of individuals.
To help you find the perfect glitter-free highlighter, we tapped celebrity makeup artists Melissa Mangrum, Kelsey Deenihan, and Natalie Dresher to share their favorite non-glittery highlighters for a covetable sheen instead of a bold sheen. Plus, we've included a few of Team Byrdie's favorites from viral brands like Rare Beauty and Charlotte Tilbury.
Keep reading for the 12 highlighters guaranteed to give you a subtle, lit-from-within glow—without a speck of glitter.
Meet The Experts
Melissa Mangrum is a professional makeup artist and VaultBeauty brand ambassador.
Kelsey Deenihan is a Los Angeles-based professional makeup artist and Lorac Artistry Advisor.
Natalie Dresher is a Miami-based celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Dylan Mulvaney and Remi Bader.
Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector
Smashbox x Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector ($42)
Like your favorite bakery's vanilla cream pie, this highlighter is creamy, buttery, and oh-so-decadent. It features light-reflecting pearl pigments and can be built up for an ultra-radiant look or applied delicately for a more natural finish. Makeup artist Melissa Mangrum recommends the shade Chocolate Geode for richer skin tones, as it's a warm golden shade that gives a subtle glow sans chunky glitter flakes.
Fenty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($40)
Trophy Wife by Fenty Beauty is a cult classic for glow fanatics—but use it with a light touch. "A little goes a long way with this highlighter," says Mangrum. "It's highly pigmented and works on fair to dark skin. This is definitely for the 'more is more' guys and gals." Apply with the brand's Cheek-Hugging Highlight Brush ($32) for intense color payoff or use a feather brush and a light hand for something more wearable.
Saie Glowy Super Gel All-Over Luminizer
Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator ($28)
What makes Saie's take on highlighter so special is the unique water-based, gel-like formula that seamlessly blends in with foundation and concealer. Not only is the highlight Byrdie-reviewed and approved, but it's also beloved by the TikTok beauty community for its versatility. Use it as a glowy prep step, spot highlighter, mix it with skincare, or wear it on your arms and legs for a lightweight body glow.
Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid
Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid ($54)
Have parched skin? You'll need a highlighter that won't accentuate dry patches, fine lines, and texture. Mangrum says to go for a liquid highlighter if your skin skews dry, and touts this pick from Chanel as her favorite option because it's smooth as butter. "I love this because it works on all skin tones and has the most natural glow—it literally looks like skin is glowing from the inside out," she says.
Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Face Palette
Charlotte Tilbury Glowgasm Face Palette ($75)
As highlighting fiends, sometimes we need options—which is why we turn to this palette by Charlotte Tilbury. The brand's Glowgasm Face Palette highlighter is something of a viral sensation for imparting a lit-from-within glow, providing shades that will suit any makeup look.
Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm
Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm ($32)
Stick applicators are all the rage in the beauty community these days, as the convenient packing makes it so easy to apply makeup on the go with precision. MERIT shows us how the trend is done right with its Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm. As the name suggests, this highlighter balm leaves a dewy, inner-glow finish that is perfect for your daily beat.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($70)
Hourglass’s subtle soft-focus powder is less of a highlighter and more of a sweep-everywhere illuminator. Sure, the palette comes with three different shades, but we like to sweep a fluffy brush over all of them, then powder our whole face. Rather than becoming a glittery mess, skin always looks softly radiant and smooth.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish ($42)
"An oldie but a goodie is the Mac Soft & Gentle MAC Mineralize Skinfinish," says Dresher. "Its buttery formula allows for an amazing highlight for the cheeks." Her favorite hack is to tap some of the highlighter onto her lids and the top of her cheekbones for a chic, monochromatic look.
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight
Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlight ($25)
If you're looking for a second skin-like glow, look no further than this pick by Rare Beauty. Fans rave about how easy it is to apply, and that it doesn't leave splotches (or glitter) behind. "This liquid highlighter is excellent to mix in with foundation or use alone to create a soft, luminous finish," says makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan. When it comes to application, the choice is yours: either dot it directly onto the high points of your face and blend with a damp beauty sponge, or apply a bit onto the back of your hand and use your fingers to melt it into the skin.
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette ($48)
"The Dior Highlight Quad is the best multi-use product I have in my kit," says Dresher. "The pink is my favorite to layer over blush for that perfect and strong strawberry girl makeup look or to use on the cheek bones for a unique highlight shade." She adds: "The formula is also perfect for eyeshadow and body glow! I also love how this quad features four shades so it’s perfect for all skin tones and all seasons."
BareMinerals Endless Glow Pressed Highlighting Powder
BareMinerals Endless Glow Pressed Highlighting Powder ($22)
Enlarged pores won't stand a chance against this glitter-less pressed mineral highlighter from BareMinerals. Apply it with a fan brush for a subtle glow, or work it in with a tapered highlighting brush for cheekbones that pop. The formula promises that it doesn't crease, cake, or flake, so find an Instagram-worthy backdrop and get ready to serve some serious model off-duty looks.
Tower 28 SuperDew Highlighter Balm
Tower 28 SuperDew Highlighter Balm ($18)
You know that glossy, sweaty radiance your skin exudes post-workout? Here's a balm that delivers just that, no workout classes required. It gives glossy skin with one swipe and has a translucent formula that'll boost your complexion instantly. If you're looking for all dew and no shimmer, throw this one in your makeup bag.
Read the original article on Byrdie.
