Glow Naturally: The Best Natural Highlighters for Radiant Skin
The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a little extra glow? Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering with family or a sparkling night out for New Year’s Eve, a natural highlighter is your secret weapon for a luminous glow. I’ve rounded up my favorite clean beauty options to give you that perfect holiday radiance, all while staying true to non-toxic, natural living. Let’s dive into the best natural highlighters!
The Best Natural Highlighters
1. Axiology Balmies ($18)
For the eco-conscious beauty lover, Axiology’s Balmies are a dream come true. These multi-use crayons are not only zero waste but also packed with nourishing ingredients like elderberry and hemp oil. They also happen to be completely cruelty free. The highlighter shades, like “Frosting,” deliver a subtle shimmer that’s perfect for highlighting cheekbones or the inner corners of your eyes. Plus, their compact size makes them a travel-friendly option for holiday getaways. Use code MAISONPUR20 to save 20%.
2. Lily Lolo Illuminator ($26)
Lily Lolo’s pressed powder illuminators are perfect for those who prefer a classic powder formula. Shades like “Sunbeam” and “Rose” provide a buildable glow that’s never over the top. With a silky texture and long-lasting wear, it’s a great choice for dancing the night away on New Year’s Eve.
3. Pai Skincare The Impossible Glow ($44)
Want a customizable glow? Pai Skincare’s The Impossible Glow is a liquid highlighter enriched with hyaluronic acid and sea kelp for hydration. Mix a drop with your moisturizer for an all-over radiance or dab it directly onto high points of your face for a more defined shine. I love how it tends to blend in with your skin tone pretty universally. It’s a versatile option that’s as nourishing as it is dazzling.
4. Oio Lab Hyperfresh Balm Skin Highlighter ($49)
Oio Lab’s highlighter is a true standout in clean beauty. This highlighting balm is infused with adaptogenic botanicals and skin-loving oils, making it as beneficial for your skin as it is beautiful. The subtle, pearlescent finish adds a dewy glow that’s perfect for holiday photos. I’ve been using this the most lately.
5. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer ($40)
A cult favorite for a reason, RMS Beauty’s Living Luminizer offers a sheer, lit-from-within glow that’s effortlessly chic. Made with coconut oil and castor seed oil, it melts seamlessly into the skin. It’s ideal for those who love a minimalist, natural makeup look with maximum impact. I love that it can give you the glass skin look and it always seems to have a natural glow. This has been a long-time favorite for me!
6. withSimplicity Mineral Pressed Highlighter ($44)
Get ready to shine with withSimplicity’s Mineral Pressed Highlighter. This pressed powder is enriched with nourishing extracts and antioxidants to treat your skin. The buildable shimmer is perfect for creating anything from a subtle glow to a full-on holiday sparkle.
7. OGEE Sculpted Face Stick ($40)
OGEE’s Sculpted Face Stick is your go-to for an easy, on-the-go application. With organic botanicals and a buttery texture, this highlighter blends effortlessly for a radiant finish. Shades like “Opal” and “Amber” are universally flattering and ideal for festive occasions. The packaging also feels a bit more luxury with the magnetic caps.
8. Rituel de Fille Rare Light Luminizers ($32)
For those who love a touch of magic in their makeup, Rituel de Fille’s Rare Light Luminizers deliver otherworldly glow. Inspired by celestial phenomena, these cream highlighters offer unique, multidimensional finishes that are sure to make you stand out this season. I love the dewy finish these give! Try “Phosphene” for a soft champagne glow or “Solaris” for a fiery peach sheen.
9. RMS ReDimension Hydra Dew Luminizer ($42)
At first glance, this looks like a powder, but it’s so much more! It’s a light-reflective highlighting powder that glides effortlessly, infusing skin with this long-wearing gel-to-powder formula. The shade Prosecco Fizz is beautiful and gives you buildable glow!
How To Apply Highlighter:
Now that you’ve found your perfect product, let’s talk about how to make the most of it. Applying highlighter is all about enhancing your features, not masking them. Below are some pro-level techniques to help you achieve your best glow yet.
1. Start Small and Build Up
A little goes a long way with most natural highlighters, especially highlighting balms and creams. Begin with a tiny amount on your fingertip or brush, then build gradually until you reach your desired level of glow.
This approach helps you avoid overdoing it and gives you control over the finish. The goal is to mimic how light naturally hits your skin for that effortless natural glow.
2. Know Your Skin Tone
The right highlighter shade can make all the difference. For fair skin tones, look for champagne or pearl shades. Medium complexions glow beautifully with rose gold or peach tones. Deep skin tones pop with bronze or copper hues.
Choosing a shade that complements your skin tone ensures your glow looks balanced and seamless rather than ashy or overly metallic.
3. Choose Your Finish Wisely
Not all highlighters are created equal: some deliver a bold shimmer, while others give a soft dewy finish. If you’re going for everyday wear, a cream or highlighting balm will give a subtle radiance. For evenings or photos, powder or liquid formulas add more reflectivity.
If your skin leans dry, stick with cream or liquid highlighters that hydrate and melt in for a glass skin effect. Oily skin types may prefer powders that control shine while still catching the light.
4. Apply to the Right Spots
Focus your highlighter on the areas light naturally hits: the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of your nose, brow bones, and cupid’s bow. A touch in the inner corners of your eyes can instantly make you look more awake.
You can also sweep some across your collarbones or shoulders for an extra touch of glow during the holidays.
5. Mix With Skincare or Foundation
For an all-over radiance, blend a drop of liquid highlighter with your moisturizer, serum, or foundation. This gives your entire complexion a dewy finish without looking greasy.
It’s a great trick for creating a soft natural glow from within, perfect for days when you want your skin to look fresh and luminous, not overly made up.
6. Layer Different Textures
One of my favorite tricks is layering a cream highlighter beneath a powder one. The cream base helps the powder adhere better and amps up the intensity.
Start with something like the RMS Living Luminizer, then dust a bit of Lily Lolo Illuminator on top. It gives that glossy glass skin finish in seconds.
7. Refresh Throughout the Day
To revive a dull complexion, tap a bit of highlighting balm onto the tops of your cheeks or temples midday. Unlike powders, balms melt into your skin for a refreshed, hydrated glow, no caking or settling into fine lines.
Oio Lab’s Hyperfresh Balm is perfect for this. It doubles as a skin treatment thanks to its botanical oils.
8. Use the Right Tools
Your fingers can work beautifully with cream formulas because the warmth helps blend them seamlessly. For powders, use a small fan brush or fluffy tapered brush to diffuse product lightly.
A damp makeup sponge can also help you melt a cream highlighter into your foundation, giving you that smooth, dewy finish without streaks.
9. Less is More for Realistic Glow
It’s easy to get carried away, but the most beautiful results often come from restraint. Think soft candlelight, not disco ball. Natural highlighters are meant to enhance, not overpower.
The goal is to look healthy, radiant, and confident, like your skin is glowing from within.
Let Your Natural Glow Shine
With so many beautiful cruelty free and clean formulas available today, achieving that radiant glow no longer means compromising on ingredients. Whether you gravitate toward a cream, liquid, or highlighting balm, there’s a formula that will enhance your unique skin tone and complement your natural beauty routine.
Highlighters are one of those rare makeup products that can instantly boost your mood and your confidence. A touch on the high points of your face adds warmth, dimension, and that coveted dewy finish that looks good in every kind of light. What’s even better is knowing that these clean options not only deliver a luminous natural glow, but also care for your skin with nourishing botanicals, plant oils, and antioxidants.
So, as you head into the festive season, or any time of year you want to look and feel your best, choose products that make your skin happy. Pair your highlighter with plenty of hydration, a good night’s sleep, and that inner glow that comes from feeling grounded and well.
Here’s to embracing beauty that shines from within and reflects the care you put into living naturally. Because when your products align with your values, that’s when your glow truly becomes unstoppable.
Cheers to glowing naturally through this holiday season and beyond!
Read next: How to Find Truly Natural Products
*Post contains affiliate links. All opinions are always my own.
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