Whether you’re a glass-of-water girl or a full-glam goddess, we all deserve one thing – a glow that hits right – no matter your skin tone. But let’s be real, finding the perfect highlighter that doesn’t make you look like a glittery ghost, or a frosted donut is a real mission. So, we did the digging, the dabbing, and the cheekbone-checking to bring you the ultimate glow guide!
The Universal Glow Rule
It’s not about how bright – it’s about how right the undertone is. Matching the highlighter’s undertone with your skin’s natural warmth or coolness, so the shimmer looks lit-from-within, not stuck-on-top.
Fair to Light Skin Tones
Go for champagne, pearl, icy pink, or soft rose gold. Think of glow without overpowering. You want something that adds warmth and radiance, not a white streak.
- BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in ‘Moonstone’
- Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in ‘Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal’
- Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in ‘Spotlight’ – soft-focus, glazed-donut sheen—without the sugar crash
Medium to Olive Skin Tones
Go for true gold, peachy tones, rose gold, or bronze champagne. You’ve got that golden undertone canvas – now amp it up with glow that complements, not clashes.
- Rare Beauty Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter in ‘Mesmerize’
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighter in ‘Iced Out’ that melts into olive tones like butter on toast
- MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in ‘Show Gold’ – peachy-pink with a gold flip—hello, dimension
Tan to Deep Skin Tones
Go for bronze, copper, amber, rich gold, deep rose gold. You can rock high-intensity shimmer like no one else – just make sure it doesn’t go ashy. Warm, richly pigmented highlighters are your glow soulmates.
- Fenty Beauty Killawatt in ‘Trophy Wife’ – the ICONIC gold that hits different on melanin
- Danessa Myricks Enlight Illuminator in ‘Gocha Glow’
- Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo in ‘Golden’ – because if anyone gets radiance right, it’s Mother Pat
And the MVPs of Universality?
If you want that one-shade-fits-all moment:
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in ‘Luminous Light’ – soft-focus radiance, no glitter drama.
- RMS Beauty Living Luminizer – coconut oil base, sheer glow, your skin but better.
- Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter – adds dew without a trace of sparkle. Chic and subtle AF.
Application Matters
Use fingers for that glassy sheen, a damp sponge for a melt-in finish, or a fan brush for that soft sweep of ‘oh this cheekbone? Just grew here.’ Highlighter isn’t one-size-fits-all, but some formulas that are pure magic on everyone. Whether you want to beam like a disco ball or just fake 8 hours of sleep, there’s a glow with your name on it.
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)