Does anyone remember the era of the ‘blinding highlighter’? Throwback to 2016 when all of us were obsessed with achieving a perfect highlight that looked like a sharp line of light running across our cheekbones. When Anastasia Beverly Hills launched its Sugar Glow Kit with four glistening highlighter shades, the beauty community was scrambling to get their hands on it. Blinding highlighters were all the rage back then but all thanks to the evolution of beauty trends they didn’t stand the test of time. I don’t remember the last time I added a blinding glow to my makeup look. On the contrary, I prefer a soft and diffused glow that lets my makeup shine through, like a hidden highlighter.
Unlike a chunky glow, a hidden highlighter gives you an evenly spread glow which offers your makeup quite the natural finish. One may presume that only liquid and cream highlighters can perform this feat, however, powdered highlighters that are created using two colours can also give the high points of your face a hidden glow.
Here are our favourite picks to help you ace the hidden highlighter beauty trend.—
Huda Beauty Empowered Face Gloss Highlighting Dew
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Trust Huda Kattan, the OG beauty guru to come up with the most innovative beauty launches. The Empowered Face Gloss Highlighting Dew is a transparent face gloss with extremely fine gold and rose gold flakes which give you a soft, reflective glow upon application. Despite the product feeling a little sticky upon first touch, it settles into your skin like a dream. Its creamy formulation gives your makeup a subtle golden glow that isn’t jarring at all.
Kaleidos The Space Age Highlighters
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Holographic highlighter? Sign us up! Kaleidos is known for its iconic colour-shifting products and the Space Age Highlighter is right there. Even though these are made with a powder formula, they have a buttery texture that glides onto your skin with a reflective glow. With eight colour-shifting shades ranging from soft greens to reds and rosy champagne with silver undertones—the Space Age Highlighters are perfect for the hidden highlighter trend.
PAC Cosmetics Killer Glow in Starlight
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At first glance, the PAC Cosmetics Killer Glow Highlighter looks like a stunning pink eyeshadow that will make your eyes pop. This is a powder highlighter that is blended with pearls and delicate glitter particles to give your makeup a silky finish. The combination of pink and rose gold creates a dreamy colour-shifting hue which looks ethereal and romantic.
PAT McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo
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Responsible for birthing some of the most edgy and experimental beauty trends, mother Pat McGrath continues to give the beauty world more and more each day. The Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo from PAT McGrath Labs is an exceptional product that comes with a clear balm and a pearlescent highlighter. The highlighter imparts a sheer runway-inspired radiance while the clear balm gives your skin a dewy finish. These can be layered together for the ultimate luminous glow that looks au naturel.
Makeup Revolution Bubble Balm Highlighter in Icy Rose
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Another unconventional formulation, the Makeup Revolution Bubble Balm is a clear balm that is set with icy and rose gold pearls that deliver a glistening finish to your skin. With two tones, this highlighter gives you a lit-from-within glow that shifts with the light—appearing rosy and icy at the same time.
Makeup by Mario Secret Glow Highlighter
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If there’s anyone who can create a beauty product that’s multifunctional and high-performing, it’s Mario Dedivanovic. The Secret Glow Highlighter is a hydrating, translucent balm with a lustrous formula that offers a glass-like finish to your skin. Even though it doesn’t have any glitter or shimmer particles, it still results in a radiant glow upon application.
