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Glow on a budget.
Byrdie / Reese Herrington
ThePhysicians Formula Butter Highlighteris our top pick, a pressed powder formula that blends seamlessly into the skin.
True story: You dont have to spend a lot of money to get an amazing highlighter.
We conducted extensive market research on the best choices out there and asked experts to weigh in too.
PHOTO: Walgreens
The highest-rated items made it onto our list.
“Its also ultra-finely milled and super pigmented, so it goes on silky smooth with great color payoff.
Its one of my all-time favorite drugstore highlighters.”
PHOTO: Ulta
We wish the packaging were as impressive as the product inside.
FYI, the shimmer level is more intense on these, particularly in natural daylight.
Fun fact: All three hues look beautiful blended, too.
PHOTO: Ulta
We also love that the brand is totally cruelty-free.
Some may find they prefer a product that has a strong color payoff.
We wish it were a bit finer to make blending out easier.
PHOTO: Amazon
We recommend working fast with this product as it tends to set quicker than other formulas.
His preferred way of using them?
Swiping them on just above the cheekbones and around the temples for a natural effect.
PHOTO: Amazon
Just dab on and rub it with your fingertips.
To that point, theyre perfect for keeping on hand for quick and effortless touch-ups.
Those looking for a dramatic effect will find other picks more suitable.
PHOTO: Flower Beauty
Its also super buildable, making it easy to achieve your desired level of shimmer.
Plus, how pretty does it look in the packaging?
This formula skews flashy, so keep that in mind when creating your look.
PHOTO: Amazon
One downside is that it tends to transfer onto anything it touches.
And this convenient compact makes it easy to do exactly that.
Use the deeper hue for contouring purposes and the lighter one to highlightits just that easy.
PHOTO: Amazon
We wish the packaging were more protective, as the powders tend to break apart.
(And giving you extra bang for your buck.)
We’d like to see better packaging as this pick is also prone to breaking apart.
PHOTO: Amazon
If youre in search of a formula that works equally well everywhere, check out this pick.
Scibelli says the super-pigmented option works beautifully on both face and body.
This pick is ideal for a flashier effect.
PHOTO: Amazon
What to Look For in a Drugstore Highlighter
Makeup artistTobi Henneyhas a multistep process for highlighting.
She recommends starting with a cream highlighter on your cheekbones, then adding a powder highlighter over that.
Yes, it’s a great idea to blend highlighter in.
PHOTO: Amazon
In a typicalmakeup program order, blush usually goes on before highlighter.
Apply it as you normally would for a natural flush, then move on to your highlighter.
Conversely, a highlighter is used to illuminate the points on your face where the light naturally hits.
PHOTO: Amazon
