9 Highlighters for Every Skin Tone
Think fast! What season would you equate glowing skin with? Chances are your initial thought is summer, but this holiday party season, there's nothing the camera loves more than luminous skin. (We're talking less bronzy bombshell and more ice queen, of course.)
However, as gorgeous as frost-bitten cheekbones may look, they're not as easy to achieve. On darker skin tones, silvery shadows can appear chalky and finding a highlighter that strikes the perfect balance between shimmer and glitter can be a challenge.
Lucky for you, beauty brands are paying special attention to nailing their highlighter formulas this time around and creating color ranges that can suit all complexions—from the fairest to deepest of all. Go ahead. Find your perfect fit right here.
Photo: Richard Burbridge1/10Because 'tis the season to shimmer and shine, right?!
Photo: Courtesy of topshop.com2/10Sweet Cheeks
If you’ve got pink undertones, Topshop Metallic Cream Blush in Pulse is the perfect way to get that ski-slope-flush every girl dreams of. The cream-to-powder formula is super lightweight and offers the slightest hint of metallic shimmer natural enough to pass off for your own flirty blush.
Photo: Courtesy of Burberry3/10Golden Girl
Olive skintones, this is all you! Give your skin an allover glow by applying Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base Nude Radiance in No.01 Limited Edition as a primer or swirled into your daily foundation. With super-hydrating properties, the radiance you’re about to achieve is everything.
Photo: Courtesy of target.com4/10** Universal Shimmer **
Guess what? This one’s for any skin tone! Pixi Fairy Dust comes in a wide range of shades from Copper Sheen (for dark skin tones) to Snow Sparkle (for fair complexions). Plus, the round-tip applicator allows you to sweep the stuff just about anywhere from your lids to the bridge of your nose—even the inner corners of your eyes for the prettiest eye twinkle ever.
Photo: Courtesy of La Mer5/10Light House
Courtesy of the brand behind Tinseltown’s favorite hydrating cream, La Mer’s Illuminating Powder is as lu as it gets if you’re going for a lit-from-within glow. A blend of gemstones and pressed pearls creates a beautiful iridescence and looks flawless on any skin tone.
Photo: Dolce & Gabbana6/10Rich Radiance
This holiday season, Dolce & Gabbana created a limited edition version of its cult favorite highlighter, stamping its perlescent powder with the shape of an ancient coin for the Illuminator Collector’s Edition. If you’ve got golden undertones, keep this chic little luxury in your purse for glimmering touch-ups.
Photo: Courtesy of chanel.com7/10Snow Queen
With super-fine shimmering particles reminiscent of a fresh snowfall, this sparkling silver shade is perfect for fair-skinned girls. As an added bonus, Chanel’s Camelia De Plumes neutral tone can double as a frosty eyeshadow as well. Hello, do-it-all holiday party compact!
Photo: Courtesy of Clé de Peau Beauté8/10Pretty Prism
If you’ve got tan skin, sweep Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer across your cheekbones for a chiseling effect. Or just stare at the enchanting compact if you’d like to. That’s what we’ll be doing.
Photo: Courtesy of Rouge Bunny Rouge9/10Star Quality
Another universally-flattering potion! Rouge Bunny Rouge Highlighting Liquid comes in three shades made for all complexions from fair to dark. Here’s your cheat sheet: if you’ve got porcelain skin, Sea of Clouds is your best bet. Tan to dark? Sea of Showers will be your jam. And if you’re somewhere in between, get on that Sea of Tranquility.
Photo: Courtesy of Mirabella10/10Peachy Keen
Fair-skinned girls, don’t be fooled by the golden tone of this Mirabella Swirling Pearl Brilliant highlighter. When swept onto cheekbones, this super-soft powder transforms into an iridescent peach shade packed with a whole lot of shimmer and shine.
