Makeup Artists Tell Me This Product Delivers Goddess-Like Skin Like No Other—I Concur
Our take
The beauty landscape has been steadily shifting away from overtly maximalist trends, and this piece highlighting a glowy highlighter stick resonates deeply with that movement. For years, highlighting felt synonymous with a blinding, glitter-laden effect – a look that, while popular at times, often felt performative and ultimately aging. The shift toward a more subtle, luminous glow is a welcome evolution, and it’s fascinating to see the industry acknowledging and catering to a desire for a more refined radiance. This echoes the broader trend we've observed towards understated elegance, as evidenced in articles like Euro Summer Calls for a Good Dress—6 Trends You Need to See Before You Pack Your Suitcase, where lightness and sophistication are key. It’s a move away from the ‘look at me’ aesthetic and towards a more ‘this is me’ confidence, a sentiment we champion.
The article's emphasis on the texture and finish of the highlighter – “all the glow, none of the glitter” – speaks volumes about the evolving sensibilities of the modern consumer. We're seeing a rejection of anything that feels overtly manufactured or artificial, and a growing appreciation for products that enhance natural beauty rather than mask it. This aligns with the ongoing conversation around “skinimalism,” where less is truly more. The fact that makeup artists are explicitly seeking out glowy sticks over pressed powders signals a significant industry validation of this aesthetic. It’s not just about a new product; it’s about a fundamental change in how we approach highlighting and, more broadly, makeup application. The timing also feels particularly relevant, given the ongoing influx of new launches—it's refreshing to see expert endorsement amidst the noise, as showcased in From Butterscotch Body Mist to the Lip Oil Selena Gomez Wore to Taylor Swift's Wedding—15 Beauty Launches Worth the Hype.
This shift isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s about the emotional resonance of the look itself. The pursuit of a “goddess-like” glow speaks to a desire for a sense of inner radiance and confidence—a feeling that extends beyond the surface. This aligns with our own brand philosophy, which prioritizes the emotional and introspective aspects of beauty and self-expression. Choosing a highlighter that enhances your natural luminosity, rather than overwhelming it with artificial sparkle, can be a powerful act of self-acceptance and quiet empowerment. It reinforces the idea that true beauty isn't about covering up imperfections, but about celebrating your unique qualities. It’s about cultivating a feeling of effortless grace and self-assuredness—a state of being that’s far more compelling than any fleeting trend. Furthermore, the article’s mention of sensitive skin, alongside the recent success of products like the Ilia Thru Line Waterproof Eyeliner I Tried the New Ilia Thru Line Waterproof Eyeliner—It's a Major Win for Sensitive, Allergy-Prone Eyes, underscores the growing demand for both effective and gentle formulations.
Ultimately, the rise of the glowy highlighter stick represents a compelling convergence of aesthetic preference, emotional desire, and a growing demand for mindful beauty practices. It's a testament to the power of subtle shifts in the beauty industry to reflect and influence broader cultural trends. As we move further into an era that values authenticity and self-awareness, will we see a continued prioritization of products that enhance, rather than transform, our natural features, and will brands continue to cater to this desire for understated elegance and inner radiance?
If there's an unsung hero of my makeup routine, it's highlighter. However, if I'm being totally honest, it's taken me a long time to welcome highlighter into my routine. Growing up, the only highlighter options were the pressed powder variety, which were always way too full of glitter and shimmer for me to get on board with. Which is why I've welcomed in glowy highlighter sticks with open arms, ever since makeup artists introduced me to these magical formulas that deliver goddess-level glow.
Rather than being glitzy, these creamy formulas impart a dewy glow to your skin. It's more natural-looking, easier to swipe on and pat with your fingertips for precise placement and makes your complexion look like you stepped out from an expensive facial. After all, there's only so much glow that can be achieved in your skincare routine, from a glowy moisturiser or serum, and these highlighter sticks are the easiest way to dial up your radiance in one swipe in the exact places you require it.
After all, glowy highlighter sticks are not only for your cheeks. They can also be swiped onto the browbone for an ethereal accent, on the lids for a glossy lid or even on the décolletage or shins when your outfit calls for a little body radiance without the stickiness of a shimmery body oil. You can even mix them with your blusher, or tap onto your lips. TLDR; a glowy highlighter stick can be one of the hardest-working products in your makeup bag.
Having seen just about every celebrity step out on the red carpet with dewy, glossy cheekbones, I thought it was high time that I shared my favourite glowy highlighter sticks that recreate that glassy glow. Scroll on for the ones that permanently live in my makeup bag.
Best Glowy Highlighter Sticks
- Best Overall: Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick
- Best Shimmer Highlighter: Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick
- Best Luxury Highlighter Stick: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
- Best Glowy SPF Stick: Givenchy Skin Perfecto Stick UV SPF 50 PA++++ Protector
1. Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick Lit Up
Best Overall
Shades: 4
Pros
- Leaves a dewy, glossy gleam
- Four shades, including a totally transparent and shimmer-free option
- Also comes in a mini travel size
Cons
- On the expensive side
I've not met a Westman Atelier product I don't love, but this highlighter stick is never out of my permanent rotation. This dewy stick imparts a glossy glow upon your cheekbones that's never sticky; instead, it makes your complexion look like you just stepped out from a facial. It comes in a completely transparent option if you don't want any shimmer or colour; however, don't overlook the tinted shades, which have the slightest hint of glimmer (read: not glittery). I love the pink-gold tones of Nectar, which I'm using a lot during summer.
2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick
Best Shimmer Highlighter Stick
Shades: 2
Pros
- Adds a dewy shimmer to cheeks
- Luxe packaging
Cons
- Only two shades
Victoria Beckham Beauty's Reflect Highlighter Stick is another favourite, and just look at that vintage-inspired gilded packaging. Aesthetics aside, this highlighter stick provides a glossy glow to your cheeks, but with a pearly, satin-like finish that strikes the balance of looking dewy but not glitzy. I have the shade Pearl, which delivers a sheer luminous glow, whereas Amber has a golden undertone that complements deeper skin tones and leaves light complexions looking bronzed. If you want a dewy highlighter stick and don't mind a slight hint of pearly colour, this is the one to go for.
3. Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick
Best Luxury Highlighter Stick
Shades: 4
Pros
- Luxurious formula
- Comes in a range of sheer shades, from totally transparent to pink and shimmer finishes
Cons
- It's so popular that some shades are often out of stock
Chanel was one of the first to innovate with a sheer, glossy highlighter stick when everyone else was creating glitzy powder highlighters, so for that reason I'll always consider this product iconic. It's beloved by makeup artists and editors alike (including myself), and is often out of stock as it's just that good. It comes in a totally transparent shade for those who want a glassy cheek, but you'll also find it in sheer tinted colourways if you want a hint of colour. My favourite is Sculpting, which has the slightest hint of pear shimmer that illuminates the skin with an expensive-looking sheen.
4. Dior Backstage Glassy Glow Stick
Best Shade Range
Shades: 8
I jumped for joy when I heard Dior was launching a highlighter stick this year, and I'm pleased to confirm that they're brilliant. They come in eight shades, but two different formulas. The Glassy shades give a glass-like radiance that's ultra sheer and glossy, whereas the Glazed formulas have more pearl and colour tint for a bolder look. There's something for everyone here, from transparent glossy shades through to bolder mint and lilac tones, which are surprisingly very wearable thanks to their translucency. For me, Glossy Jelly has the perfect wet-look texture, with just a hint of pink.
Pros
- Choice or Glossy of Glazed finishes
- Eight shades to choose from
- Glossy sheen
Cons
- Packaging is quite large, so takes up more space in your handbag
5. Merit Beauty Day Glow
Best Long-Lasting Highlighter Stick
Shades: 4
Pros
- Long-lasting and non-sticky
- Very wearable shade range
- Easy to use
Cons
- There isn't a totally shimmer-free shade in the range
Oh Merit Beauty, there is nothing you can do wrong. Whilst a lot of dewy highlighter sticks have a glossy, wet-look slip to their textures, this one has a grippier, balmy texture that means your hair won't get stuck in it, but it also makes for a longer-lasting glow without compromising on glow. The shades are brilliant, also, spanning bronze and gold through to champagne and rose gold. They have more pearl to them than other transparent highlighters, but the result isn't glitzy. Instead, it bestows a halo-esque glow wherever you choose to swipe it.
6. Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Highlighter Glazed Goddess
Best Soft-Focus Glow Highlighter Stick
Shades: 1
Yes, this might be another dewy, glowy highlighter stick, but the pearly shimmer in this gives a soft-focus, smoothing effect to the skin that's truly stunning. It comes in just the one champagne hue, but it's sheer enough to work through most skin tones and leaves your skin with a goddess-like glow wherever you apply it. It's also particularly nourishing, with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E to boost skin radiance whilst you wear it.
Pros
- Hydrating, dewy highlighter stick
- Packed with skincare ingredients
Cons
- Only one shade, which may not be suitable for deep complexions
7. Givenchy Skin Perfecto Stick UV SPF 50 PA++++ Protector
Best Glowy SPF Stick
Shades: 1
If you want a glowy stick that also offers UV protection, then this option from Givenchy combines the best of both. Combining both SPF 50 protection and glow in a pink and white marbled stick, it allows you to top up your sun protection with ease whilst giving your skin a dewy, pearly glow on bare skin or over makeup. It's the perfect option to throw in your handbag or beach bag when your skin also calls for a dewy gleam.
Pros
- Offers SPF 50 and glow in one
- Easy to throw in your bag for top-ups
Cons
- Just the one shade
How We Tested
As a beauty editor, I've spent years testing the best highlighter sticks. From new launches to makeup artist recommendations, I've been able to test some of the best highlighters that come in stick form. I've been able to decipher the highlighter sticks that are truly transparent and deliver a dewy look, alongside the tinted and shimmer varieties that add a touch of colour to your cheeks. Most of the highlighter sticks I've tested are everyday favourites in my makeup bag that I've used for years.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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