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

1. Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick Lit Up

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

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

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

5. Merit Beauty Day Glow

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

7.  Givenchy Skin Perfecto Stick UV SPF 50 PA++++ Protector

How We Tested