Highlighters (Over $15) | 2022 Editor's Favorites
In 2022, I reviewed just over 70 different high-end highlighters, so there was a nice variety of products to become enamored with over the year, and while highlighting as a trend may have slowed down, it hasn’t gone away. Rare Beauty Positive Light Highlighters just came out in December, but they were just stunning applied. I also fell in love with Haus Labs Bio Radiant Highlighters, though they were quite pricey!
Temptalia’s Favorite Highlighters (Over $15) | 2022
Chanel Cuivre Dore (897) Illuminating Face Powder (Oversize) ($88.00 for 0.56 oz.) is a richer, medium copper with warm, more golden undertones paired...
Chanel Cuivre Dore (897) Illuminating Face Powder (Oversize) ($88.00 for 0.56 oz.) is a richer, medium copper with warm, more golden undertones paired...
MAC Lunar Lights Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($37.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light, golden peach with warmer undertones and a smooth, luminous finish. It...
MAC Lunar Lights Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($37.00 for 0.31 oz.) is a light, golden peach with warmer undertones and a smooth, luminous finish. It...
Rare Beauty Mesmerize Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a light rosy copper with a more translucent base and lots of...
Rare Beauty Mesmerize Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a light rosy copper with a more translucent base and lots of...
Rare Beauty Exhilarate Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a medium gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a...
Rare Beauty Exhilarate Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter ($25.00 for 0.098 oz.) is a medium gold with strong, warm orange undertones and a...
Pat McGrath Venus Nectar Divine Glow Highlighter ($48.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium, somewhat rosier copper with moderate, warm undertones and a...
Pat McGrath Venus Nectar Divine Glow Highlighter ($48.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a light-medium, somewhat rosier copper with moderate, warm undertones and a...
Haus Labs Rose Quartz Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones in its base with cooler...
Haus Labs Rose Quartz Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a brighter, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones in its base with cooler...
Haus Labs Fire Opal Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a vivid, medium-dark pink base with moderate, warm undertones and contrasting,...
Haus Labs Fire Opal Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a vivid, medium-dark pink base with moderate, warm undertones and contrasting,...
Chanel Reve de Camelia Illuminating Powder ($80.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a soft, light-medium peach with warmer, more golden and yellow undertones paired...
Chanel Reve de Camelia Illuminating Powder ($80.00 for 0.35 oz.) is a soft, light-medium peach with warmer, more golden and yellow undertones paired...
Haus Labs Peach Quartz Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a light, rosy beige base with a more transparent base paired with fine pink,...
Haus Labs Peach Quartz Bio-Radiant Highlighter ($40.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a light, rosy beige base with a more transparent base paired with fine pink,...
Lethal Cosmetics Halo Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a pale, slightly cool-toned pink base with some translucency paired with...
Lethal Cosmetics Halo Magnetic Pressed Highlighter ($18.00 for 0.18 oz.) is a pale, slightly cool-toned pink base with some translucency paired with...
Pat McGrath Venusian Nude Sublime Skin Highlighter ($60.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a richer, golden copper with warm, more orange undertones paired with...
Pat McGrath Venusian Nude Sublime Skin Highlighter ($60.00 for 0.42 oz.) is a richer, golden copper with warm, more orange undertones paired with...
Glossover Averages
If you’re unfamiliar with how I like to do my year-end favorites, here’s the low down: I pull from the products I reviewed in 2022, regardless of whether they were new, limited edition, or an established range I’ve only just gotten around to reviewing. These are personal favorites, so they may or may not be the highest rated products reviewed during the year (though they will tend to be better rated, naturally!). (You can check out the best of 2021 posts if you missed last year’s.)
Your Year in Review: Highlighters Edition — Part 2
I thought it would be interesting to read through how readers used products throughout the year, what favorites emerged, what products fell by the wayside… so, if you want to join in, copy and paste the questions below and add your answers via a comment!
- Did you prefer cream or powder highlighter in 2022?
- Are you looking to add any highlighter to your collection in 2023?
- What was your go-to tool for applying highlighter in 2022?
Did you prefer cream or powder highlighter in 2022? Definitely powder, but mainly the baked geleé type.
Are you looking to add any highlighter to your collection in 2023? Just a very select few: Elf liquid to replace what’s left of the Marc Jacobs Dew Drops, another Haus Labs one in Fire Opal, Rare Beauty Mesmerize, and that new one by Natasha Denona are all on my very short list!
What was your go-to tool for applying highlighter in 2022? A WnW highlighter brush or a fan brush, but I actually prefer to apply it with my fingertip to my cupid’s bow and lightly down my nose.
I was happy to discover some great highlighters this year that worked for my vampire pale skintone like Haus Labs Moonstone, Rare Beauty Emphasize (pressed powder), Lethal Ionic (want to pick up Halo) and Catrice Beaming Rose Glow (an amazing $6 baked gelee formula).
I bought PMG Lunar Allure but it was way too glittery and I’m planning on picking up the new Charlotte Tilbury Moonlight Glow next week. Just hoping it’s as pale and neutral as it looks, not a warm champagne gold.
The PMG and Haus highlighters look divine (especially Fire Opal). This winter creamy highlighters are my jam. For all over L’Oreal Lumi Glotion is perfect to add to foundation, it’s very subtle, then Refy gloss highlighter or Tower Bronzino. Layering a bit more cream and powder hasn’t been a problem with any of these formulas. 🙂
DID YOU PREFER CREAM OR POWDER HIGHLIGHTER IN 2022?
Powder
ARE YOU LOOKING TO ADD ANY HIGHLIGHTER TO YOUR COLLECTION IN 2023?
I want to try one from Haus Labs.
WHAT WAS YOUR GO-TO TOOL FOR APPLYING HIGHLIGHTER IN 2022?
E. l. f. Highlighting Brush
Did you prefer cream or powder highlighter in 2022? I love both… I layer them for longevity and I love the effect.
Are you looking to add any highlighter to your collection in 2023? Noooo, I have plenty! My last highlighter purchase was the Rare Beauty liquid highlighter and the Silky Touch powder highlighter. I am good for probably forever, but you know how it is.
What was your go-to tool for applying highlighter in 2022? It’s an old RealTechniques Highlighter brush. I have two of them and they are the only thing I use for powder highlighter… If it’s liquid highlighter I just use my ring finger.
Did you prefer cream or powder highlighter in 2022? Cream
Are you looking to add any highlighter to your collection in 2023? I need a dupe for the cream “brilliant” highlight in the 2019 it cosmetics beauty book. Its pink, neutral and translucent. I also want to try another Buxom highlight. More pink highlights overall
What was your go-to tool for applying highlighter in 2022? Real techniques setting brush