Gimme All The Glow: 7 Highlighting Products to Love

I remember the days when highlighters weren’t “a thing”. Of course, highlighting was very much “a thing”, it just wasn’t as widely popular as it is at the moment.

There weren’t 13478 different products to choose from. I remember once sitting in a makeup chair, getting my makeup done (duh) when the MUA grabbed a little brush, dipped in what I thought to be powder, and applied it right on top of my cheekbones and cupid’s bow and told me: “this a little trick that all the actresses use for the red carpet!” I wasn’t familiar with the concept. Nowadays, almost every 13-year old knows what highlighting is.

I definitely love my glow on a more subtle side. I want it to be noticed but only when the light subtly hits my face- not when I walk into a room, shining like a disco ball.

If there is one product that pretty much every glow-getter is familiar with, it’s The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer. I always thought it was the “OG” of highlighters. A gold-champagne, highly pigmented highlighter that can also be used as an eyeshadow.

And… speaking of “OG” products, I think it’s safe to say that Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Bricks also belong in the category. Rose and Beige are the two I have and reach for all the time. Shimmer Bricks kind of do it all: they add both a little color and the most beautiful glow to the skin. The glow can be as delicate or as intense as you want; they layer easily and have an amazing, soft and silky formula. Beige is a stunning mix of golden, bronzey tones and can also double as an eyeshadow palette.

To wear under foundation: Pixi Glowtion Day Dew and Erborian Glow Crème*. Glowtion is one of my favorite Pixi products, one I’ve been using for years. It works well under foundation as it has a very nice, thin consistency, it’s hydrating and adds a beautiful glow to the skin. My dry skin loves this stuff. The only issue here is that it might look a bit too shimmery for some, in direct sunlight. Glow Crème is similar to Glowtion, in that it too has those pretty, lavender undertones. It has a slightly thicker formula, I don’t find it as hydrating as Glowtion, but it’s not as shimmery in direct sunlight. I like wearing both of these under foundation (you can also dab a little extra on top of your base if you want even more glow) but Glowtion is the only one I like wearing on its own- Glow Crème can end up looking a bit greasy on its own, if not used sparingly.

Just as with Glowtion and Glow Crème, Marc Jacobs Dew Drops is a product that can be used in several different ways; mixed with a foundation or tinted moisturizer, layered on its own for an intense glow, you can use it as a lip topper etc. As always with MJ Beauty products, I am loving the packaging and the formula. I can already tell that this is one of the products I’ll be reaching for all the time this summer. It’s a very different highlighting product from Glowstick (which I still love). Dew Drops have those stunning golden tones while Glowstick is a mix of pearly gold and silver pigments.

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops, Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight, Hourglass Surreal Light, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Beige, Erborian Glow Crème, The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer, Pixi Glowtion Day Dew.

For the most beautiful and natural-looking glow: Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight and Hourglass Finishing Powder in Surreal Light. Candlelight from The Creamy Glow Duo is incredibly subtle, soft and perfect for adding a little natural glow to the skin- definitely not a product for those who love an intense highlight. I know that the Finishing Powder in Surreal Light was a limited edition product included in the Surreal Light Ambient Lighting Edit palette, but I just love it too much. I mean, Hourglass powders are known for their amazing, soft, silky finish and there’s nothing not to love about them. Surreal Light adds the most stunning glow to the skin- I love using it as a finishing powder just as much as Diffused Light. Incandescent Light is a pretty close dupe.

What’s glowing on on your face this summer?