Best Highlighters September 2026
Explore top-rated highlighters to bring radiant warmth and dimension to your makeup routine. This independent ranking helps you compare liquid, stick, and powder formulas based on volume, finish, and skin compatibility. Find the right match for your complexion and application preferences.
Last updated: 1 September 2026
The list is unchanged since the last update.
Contouring & Highlighters: Top 5
1
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer
from £30.0010 stores
from £30.00
10 stores
2
e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter Highlighter
from £8.303 stores
from £8.30
3 stores
3
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer
from £14.991 store
from £14.99
1 store
4
L'Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
from £8.168 stores
from £8.16
8 stores
5
Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder
from £29.335 stores
from £29.33
5 stores
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer delivers an illuminated, sun-kissed finish in a classic compact powder format. The generous 21 g pan provides long-lasting use and comes in multiple intensity levels to suit different skin tones. It functions smoothly as both a warming bronzer and a radiant highlighter.
Pros
Generous 21 g pan size
Multiple intensity levels available
Combines bronzing and highlighting effects
Cons
Powder formula may cling to dry patches
Large compact takes up makeup bag space
e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter is a multi-use liquid highlighter that adds soft-focus radiance to your skin. The 31.5 ml bottle features a clean, oil-free and silicon-free formulation suitable for sensitive skin. You can wear it alone, mixed into foundation, or tapped onto high points of the face.
Pros
Large 31.5 ml bottle
Oil-free and fragrance-free formula
Cruelty-free with refill option
Works for highlighting and contouring
Cons
Liquid formula requires quick blending
Large applicator can dispense excess liquid
Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer offers targeted sculpting and subtle highlighting in an easy-to-use twist-up stick. The solid cream formula glides directly onto cheekbones, brow bones, and jawlines for precise placement. Its compact 6 g format makes it particularly convenient for touch-ups on the go.
Pros
Convenient travel-friendly stick
Sculpts and highlights in one step
Applies directly without messy spillage
Cons
Compact 6 g size finishes faster
Cream stick may drag on very dry skin
L'Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer delivers a luminous pink-tinted sheen in a generous 40 ml squeeze tube. The lightweight cream formula glides across the skin to enhance natural brightness without heavy glitter. It works effectively as an all-over skin tint or as a targeted liquid highlighter.
Pros
Generous 40 ml tube size
Smooth cream texture blends easily
Cruelty-free formula
Cons
Pink undertone may not suit every complexion
Tube packaging can dispense too much product
Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder combines luminous highlighting and warming bronzing tones in a 10 g palette compact. The clean, oil-free formula features a refillable case that reduces packaging waste over time. It gives the complexion a sheer, healthy radiance without settling into fine lines.
Pros
Refillable compact design
Oil-free, fragrance-free, and silicon-free
Multi-tone palette blends warmth and glow
Cruelty-free formula
Cons
Positioned in a higher price tier
10 g quantity is modest compared to 21 g options
Compare specifications
| Formula | Compact powder | Cream/Mousse | Stick | Cream/Mousse | Compact powder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Highlighter/Illuminator, Bronzer | Contour, Highlighter/Illuminator | Contour, Highlighter/Illuminator, Bronzer | Highlighter/Illuminator | Highlighter/Illuminator, Bronzer, Palette |
| Quantity | 21 ml/g | 31.5 ml/g | 6 ml/g | 40 ml/g | 10 ml/g |
| Price /ml/g | 21 | 31.5 | 6 | 40 | 10 |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
