Spring 2025 is all about luminous, fresh-faced beauty, and the right highlighter can take your glow to the next level. This year’s formulas are designed to blend seamlessly, last longer, and flatter every skin tone. Whether you’re after a subtle radiance or a dramatic finish, we have the best highlighter picks that will help you achieve your best glow yet.

Best Highlighter Secrets Revealed—Shimmer and Shine This Spring!

Breaking beauty news: This spring’s best highlighter lineup is next-level, and you do NOT want to miss out! If glass-skin vibes are your goal, buckle up because these picks will have you glowing all season long!

Soft Glow: Natural & Dewy

If you love a fresh, hydrated look, a soft highlighter is the way to go. It has a melt-into-the-skin formula that creates a healthy, natural glow. Soft highlighters are perfect for everyday wear as they blend easily into the skin.

Top Pick: Glossier Dew Balm

Glossier Dew is a balm-like highlighter that adds moisture and radiance to your complexion. It feels light and smooth and leaves the skin looking dewy but not greasy. This dew balm does not feature glitter, so it’s great for a natural, skincare-inspired glow.

Runner-Up: Merit Day Glow

Merit Day is a sheer, creamy stick that adds a soft sheen without looking too shiny. The formula is buildable, so you can control how much glow you want. Merit Day also contains hydrating ingredients that work for dry or sensitive skin.

Best For: Natural makeup lovers, dry skin, minimal effort

Lit-From-Within Glow: Soft & Radiant

A soft-focus highlighter adds a little more shine yet still looks natural. It also makes the skin look smooth, fresh, and youthful. Soft-focus highlighters are perfect for casual days and special events.

Top Pick: Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand

This Charlotte Tilbury liquid highlighter creates a candlelit glow without the shimmery effect. Its blendable, lightweight formula sits well on the skin, and the easy-to-use cushion applicator makes it simple to apply.

Runner-Up: Hourglass Ambient Strobe Powder

This Hourglass powder highlighter softly reflects light and makes the skin look flawless. It never looks harsh or powdery and its silky texture blends seamlessly into the skin.

Best For: Soft glam looks, combination skin, smooth finishes

Classic Glow: Medium Shine

Medium-intensity highlighters are a great choice for those who want a glow that stands out but not overpowering. Their formula adds noticeable radiance and looks classy and refined.

Top Pick: Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter

This Rare Beauty powder-based highlighter feels silky and smooth on the skin. It also gives a bright, natural finish that lasts all day. Moreover, Rare beauty highlighter is lightweight, so it won’t look heavy or cakey.

Runner-Up: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter

This Fenty Killawatt highlighter has a cream-to-powder formula that glides on like butter and provides a buildable glow. It also comes in several shades, so everyone can find the one for their skin tone.

Best For: Everyday wear, medium shine lovers, all skin types

Blinding Glow: Intense & Bold

Bold highlighters bring serious shine and high-impact glow to your look. They catch the light from every angle and last for hours.

Top Pick: Pat McGrath Divine Glow Highlighter

This Pat McGrath powder highlighter is ultra-pigmented and gives a wet-look effect without chunky glitter. The formula blends smoothly and stays on all day.

Runner-Up: Jaclyn Cosmetics Beaming Light Highlighter

Jaclyn Cosmetics Beaming Light Highlighter is a loose powder formula designed for high-intensity shine. A small amount goes a long way, so it is perfect for layering over cream or liquid highlighters.

Best For: Full-glam lovers, oily skin, long-lasting wear

Holographic & Multi-Chrome: Trendy & Fun

For those who love to experiment, multi-chrome and holographic highlighters shift colors depending on the light. They create a prismatic, futuristic glow that stands out.

Top Pick: Danessa Myricks Lightwork Palette

This Danessa Myricks palette includes versatile highlighters that change between gold, pink, blue and green tones. Their gel-like texture also blends seamlessly and gives the skin a glassy finish.

Runner-Up: Kaleidos Space Age Highlighter

Kalidos Space Age is a high-pigment powder highlighter that shifts between two or more colors. The effect is bold, bright and unique which is perfect for editorial and festival looks.

Best For: Trendsetters, artistic makeup lovers, special events

How to Apply Highlighter for the Best Glow

A great highlighter can transform your look. However, you also need to know the right application to nail the look. Here’s how to apply it perfectly:

Use a damp sponge for a soft, blended effect.
Tap with fingers for a natural, skin-like glow.
Apply powder highlighters with a fluffy brush for a smooth finish.
Layer cream and powder formulas for extra intensity and lasting power.
Highlight key areas like the cheekbones, brow bones, nose, and cupid’s bow for a sculpted effect.

The Glow-Up Never Ends

One swipe, and suddenly, your skin catches the light in all the right places. That’s the power of a great highlighter. This season is all about embracing radiance in every form, so blend your chosen highlighter and shine on your terms. So glow forth and conquer!

FAQs: Best Highlighter Picks

1⃣ What’s the best highlighter for a natural glow?
Glossier Dew Balm and Merit Day Glow are great for a soft, fresh-faced glow without shimmer.

2⃣ Which highlighter is best for oily skin?
Powder formulas like Fenty Killawatt and Pat McGrath Divine Glow last longer on oily skin and control shine.

3⃣ Can I wear highlighter without foundation?
Yes! Cream and balm highlighters blend well on bare skin, giving a natural glow.

4⃣ Where should I apply highlighter?
Focus on the cheekbones, brow bones, nose bridge, and cupid’s bow for a sculpted effect.

5⃣ What’s the difference between cream and powder highlighter?
Creams look more natural and dewy, while powders give a stronger, longer-lasting glow.

6⃣ How do I make my highlighter last all day?
Layer a cream highlighter under a powder one and set with a fine mist for longer wear.

7⃣ What’s the best highlighter for deep skin tones?
Fenty Killawatt and Danessa Myricks Lightwork Palette have bold, rich shades that pop on deeper skin.

8⃣ Can I use highlighter as eyeshadow?
Yes! Many highlighters double as shimmery eyeshadows for a quick glow.

9⃣ How do I avoid highlighter looking patchy?
Use a light hand, blend well, and avoid applying over powdery skin to keep it smooth.

Are holographic highlighters wearable for daily makeup?
Yes, but apply lightly! They can add a fun glow to cheekbones or inner corners of the eyes.

Have more questions? Drop them in the comments!