Best Drugstore Highlighter
The Best Affordable Highlighters at the Drugstore
Achieving a radiant, glowing complexion doesn’t have to break the bank. While high-end highlighters get plenty of hype, drugstore beauty aisles are filled with affordable gem options that deliver an equally luminous look. Best drugstore highlighter:This guide spotlights the top budget-friendly highlighter formulas that rival their pricey counterparts.
Why You Need a Highlighter
A good highlighter instantly amps up your glow factor. It adds dimension to the high points of your face by capturing and reflecting light beautifully. Strategically placed highlighter emphasizes your bone structure while imparting a fresh, dewy, luminescent finish.Best drugstore highlighter: It’s the perfect product for faking an enviable lit-from-within radiance.
Top Picks for Powder Highlighters
If you prefer a silky powder formula, these stand-out drugstore options deserve a spot in your makeup bag:
Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter
With ultra-fine, buttery particles, this highlighter from Maybelline melts seamlessly into skin. It delivers a smooth, intense, metallic sheen in shades like Molten Gold and Molten Rose Gold. Fully build-able and impressively pigmented.
Milani Baked Bronzer in Dolce
While technically labeled as a bronzer, Milani’s Dolce shade is actually a gorgeous golden-pearl highlighter when used dry. This baked formula yields a natural, radiant, lit-from-within glow. Dust it along cheekbones, cupid’s bow and brow bones.
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder
Crazy-affordable price and intense payoff make this a must-have. MegaGlo comes in shimmery champagne, golden and rosy tones to complement any skin tone. The satin, pearlescent finish gives high-impact luminosity.
Best Cream and Liquid Highlighters
Best drugstore highlighter:If you prefer a dewier, more blendable consistency, check out these standout cream/liquid drugstore highlighters:
L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops
Amp up the radiance in your foundation or skincare products by mixing in these glow-enhancing liquid drops. The pearlescent pink and golden shades give skin an all-over champagne-like finish.
e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Baked Blush Gems
Talk about a multi-tasking marvel! This velvety, baked powder/cream hybrid can be used dry for a beaming powder highlight or wet for intense liquid radiance along the high points. With four baked shades included, it’s a versatile pick.
Milani Ludicrous Lit Glow Illuminator
This whipped cream-to-powder formula from Milani is so lit! Use it wet for an intensely glowing, molten look or dry for a natural sheen. The gorgeous shade range includes Goldenized, Brilliant Baked Bronzer and more.
Best Multi-Use Options
Many affordable brands now house highlighters in products like bronzers, blushes and eyeshadow palettes for extra versatility. Top drugstore multi-tasking standouts:
Milani Soft & Sultry All-In-One Edit Palette
This compact has everything you need for a night makeup look – bronzer, blush, highlighters, shadows and more. The molten, silky highlighters in particular are ultra-flattering and blinding.
Wet n Wild Fire & Ice Face Palette
Expect bold payoff from this vibrant pigmented palette. The frosted white and intense gold highlights deliver high-impact glow without emphasizing texture.
Physician’s Formula Butter Highlighter
In true MultI-tasking fashion, these cream-to-powder highlighters double as eyeshadow toppers and dewy body luminizers. Shades like Pearl and Rose Gold provide soft, buttery radiance wherever needed.
Application Tips
For the most natural, glowing look, be sure to apply highlighters properly:
- Powder formulas: Use a fan brush to lightly sweep highlighter onto tops of cheekbones, cupid’s bow, browbones and anywhere else light naturally hits.
- Cream/Liquid: Using a damp makeup sponge or fingertips, tap and blend cream highlighter along the high points of your face until seamless.
- Add before setting powder: Let cream highlighters dry down slightly, then lightly set with translucent loose powder. This melds it into skin for long wear.
- Layer powders: For intense radiance, layer a cream highlighter as a base with powder highlighter on top.
Drugstore vs. High-End
So how do budget highlighters actually stack up to prestige department store finds? Surprisingly well! Major affordable brands have upped their game with finely-milled, radiant formulas similar to luxury favorites but far cheaper.
You may not get the same shade range from drugstore options as pricier counterparts. But in terms of overall glow payoff, longevity and ease of use, affordable highlighters can absolutely get the job done without the hefty price tag.
Top Affordable Brand Picks
Best drugstore highlighter:When shopping the drugstore beauty aisles, keep an eye out for these budget-friendly brands known for their standout highlighters:
- Milani
- Wet n Wild
- e.l.f. Cosmetics
- L’Oreal
- Maybelline
- Physician’s Formula
All offer exceptional quality highlighter formulas at a fraction of high-end costs, usually under $10. With dupes for iconic cult highlighters, there’s no need to splurge.
The best drugstore highlighters offer several advantages, making them a popular choice for makeup enthusiasts. Firstly, they provide a cost-effective option, allowing individuals to achieve a radiant, glowing complexion without breaking the bank. Drugstore highlighters offer a wide range of shades and formulations, catering to diverse skin tones and preferences. They are often formulated with light-reflecting pigments, providing a luminous sheen that enhances the natural contours of the face, creating a youthful and radiant appearance.
Additionally, drugstore highlighters are often versatile and can be used to accentuate various features, such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and the cupid’s bow, adding dimension and luminosity to the overall makeup look. The convenience of accessibility and affordability makes drugstore highlighters a practical and budget-friendly choice for individuals looking to elevate their makeup routine with a radiant finish.
The Bottom Line
You can absolutely achieve a gorgeous, glowing complexion with budget-friendly highlighters from the drugstore. Popular affordable brands have stepped up their game with high-quality formulas across powders, creams, liquids and palettes. By strategically applying your favorite affordable luminizer, you’ll look radiant and glowing like you spent triple digits. No need to shell out big bucks for a brilliant highlight.
In conclusion, drugstore highlighters offer a myriad of benefits, providing an affordable, accessible, and versatile solution for achieving a luminous and glowing complexion. With a focus on affordability and diverse shade ranges, drugstore highlighters cater to a wide audience, allowing individuals to experiment with different finishes and intensities to suit their unique preferences. The accessibility of drugstore highlighters makes them a convenient option for those seeking a budget-friendly way to add dimension and radiance to their makeup looks. Whether in powder, cream, or liquid form, drugstore highlighters offer a quality and affordable option for individuals to achieve a youthful and glowing complexion without compromising on performance.