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These highlighters can give any make-up look a crisp, put-together finish

8 best cream highlighters for a gorgeous glow-up

These highlighters can give any make-up look a crisp, put-together finish

Most beauty enthusiasts are on the fence regarding highlighters because they traditionally feature chunky glitter that does very little for textured skin, which most of us have. But now, there are options for a plethora of options—offering everything from a soft and subtle glow to a megawatt shine. And, for minimalists who prefer a natural-looking glow film, cream highlighters are a wise choice. Packed with ingredients that moisturise and condition the skin, cream highlighters offer comfort and wearability. They also suit all skin types without looking like you've stamped something on. To help you make your pick, we've rounded up some options.

Positive Light Liquid Luminizer, Rare BeautyThere's a high chance you’ve come across this product on your Instagram Explore section. Did you know the hashtag #rarebeautyluminizer boasts over 2,85,500 views on TikTok? The liquid-texture cream highlighter from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is a viral hit for a few reasons—not only does it have a soft and illuminating effect on the skin, but its vegan formulation also contains olive oil, sunflower oil, water lily and sacred lotus extracts to keep the skin nourished and glowy simultaneously. Priced at ₹ 3,200Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/rarebeauty

Positive Light Liquid Luminizer, Rare Beauty

There's a high chance you’ve come across this product on your Instagram Explore section. Did you know the hashtag #rarebeautyluminizer boasts over 2,85,500 views on TikTok? The liquid-texture cream highlighter from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is a viral hit for a few reasons—not only does it have a soft and illuminating effect on the skin, but its vegan formulation also contains olive oil, sunflower oil, water lily and sacred lotus extracts to keep the skin nourished and glowy simultaneously. 

Priced at ₹ 3,200

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/rarebeauty

High Beam Liquid Highlighter, Benefit CosmeticsGive this liquid highlighter a shot to achieve a soft wash of rose gold sheen for a healthy-looking complexion without layering too many products or wearing a powder highlighter. While the skin-loving formula is enriched with meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E and squalane, the precise doe-foot applicator allows for a controlled application on all the high points of your face, including the corner of your eyes and the arch of your brows.Priced at ₹ 1,950Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/benefitcosmetics

High Beam Liquid Highlighter, Benefit Cosmetics

Give this liquid highlighter a shot to achieve a soft wash of rose gold sheen for a healthy-looking complexion without layering too many products or wearing a powder highlighter. While the skin-loving formula is enriched with meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin E and squalane, the precise doe-foot applicator allows for a controlled application on all the high points of your face, including the corner of your eyes and the arch of your brows.

Priced at ₹ 1,950

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/benefitcosmetics

Nudies Glow Highlighter Stick, NudestixThis cream highlighter is a cult favourite as it provides just a hint of shine without it being overpowering and unflattering. Loaded with emollients, the creamy stick provides a one-swipe application, while the brush at the other end helps blend and diffuse the glow easily. The packaging also makes it a travel-friendly product for on-the-go use. This highlighter is available in seven diverse colours to complement every skin tone. PS: One of these sticks is sold every minute across the globe.Priced at ₹ 3,500Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/nudestix

Nudies Glow Highlighter Stick, Nudestix

This cream highlighter is a cult favourite as it provides just a hint of shine without it being overpowering and unflattering. Loaded with emollients, the creamy stick provides a one-swipe application, while the brush at the other end helps blend and diffuse the glow easily. The packaging also makes it a travel-friendly product for on-the-go use. This highlighter is available in seven diverse colours to complement every skin tone. 

PS: One of these sticks is sold every minute across the globe.

Priced at ₹ 3,500

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/nudestix

Glowlight Cream Illuminators, Bindt BeautyWith a soft formulation that melts into the skin, these creamy illuminators deserve a spot on your shelf if you’re a sucker for soft and muted make-up looks. The glowy—not shiny or shimmery—highlighter has a balmy texture and can even be used on the lips, cheeks and eyes. It's loaded with a rich blend of emollients like rosehip, apricot, beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut, and jojoba oil to prevent dryness.PS: Use your fingertips for optimum coverage. Priced at ₹ 1,399Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/bindtbeauty 

Glowlight Cream Illuminators, Bindt Beauty

With a soft formulation that melts into the skin, these creamy illuminators deserve a spot on your shelf if you’re a sucker for soft and muted make-up looks. The glowy—not shiny or shimmery—highlighter has a balmy texture and can even be used on the lips, cheeks and eyes. It's loaded with a rich blend of emollients like rosehip, apricot, beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut, and jojoba oil to prevent dryness.

PS: Use your fingertips for optimum coverage. 

Priced at ₹ 1,399

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/bindtbeauty 

Créme Duo (Blush + Highlighter), Ruby’s OrganicsIf you want your skin to drip in gold (or rose gold or champagne) but hate the stark semblance of shimmery particles from chunky highlighters, this creamy blush and highlighter duo will do the trick. With a rich payoff, the highlighter is the perfect complimentary pop to an OTT make-up look. Free from nasties, the product contains cocoa butter, jojoba oil, resveratrol, castor oil and shea butter to keep the skin moisturised. You also get a pigmented and blendable blush, making this product sufficient to create a full face of make-up.Priced at ₹ 1,100Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/rubysorganics

Créme Duo (Blush + Highlighter), Ruby’s Organics

If you want your skin to drip in gold (or rose gold or champagne) but hate the stark semblance of shimmery particles from chunky highlighters, this creamy blush and highlighter duo will do the trick. With a rich payoff, the highlighter is the perfect complimentary pop to an OTT make-up look. Free from nasties, the product contains cocoa butter, jojoba oil, resveratrol, castor oil and shea butter to keep the skin moisturised. You also get a pigmented and blendable blush, making this product sufficient to create a full face of make-up.

Priced at ₹ 1,100

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/rubysorganics

Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops, VERSEDAre you looking for dewy glass-like skin but too lazy to wear any make-up or skincare products? The Luminizing Glow Drops from VERSED, which combines skincare goodness with a strobe cream's glow-enhancing properties, could be your best bet. The lightweight serum-like texture allows for seamless application and effortless blending and can be worn under or over make-up, over SPF or just by itself (though we’d strongly recommend never giving SPF a miss during the day). The hero ingredients include polyglutamic acid, blackberry extract, vitamin E and sweet almond oil that also give the skin a plumper appearance. Priced at ₹ 1,899Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/www.versedskin.com

Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops, VERSED

Are you looking for dewy glass-like skin but too lazy to wear any make-up or skincare products? The Luminizing Glow Drops from VERSED, which combines skincare goodness with a strobe cream's glow-enhancing properties, could be your best bet. The lightweight serum-like texture allows for seamless application and effortless blending and can be worn under or over make-up, over SPF or just by itself (though we’d strongly recommend never giving SPF a miss during the day). The hero ingredients include polyglutamic acid, blackberry extract, vitamin E and sweet almond oil that also give the skin a plumper appearance. 

Priced at ₹ 1,899

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/www.versedskin.com

SuperDew Highlight Balm, Tower 28 BeautyThis highlighter from Tower 28 Beauty will leave you with lustrous-looking skin. The clear balm has a creamy slip, which supports fuss-free application with or without make-up. With zero shimmer, glitter or shine particles, the highlighter sits on the skin like a translucent veil of glow and radiance, giving it a natural-looking sheen for a healthy appearance. Priced at ₹ 2,000 approximatelyShop hereImage: Instagram.com/tower28beauty

SuperDew Highlight Balm, Tower 28 Beauty

This highlighter from Tower 28 Beauty will leave you with lustrous-looking skin. The clear balm has a creamy slip, which supports fuss-free application with or without make-up. With zero shimmer, glitter or shine particles, the highlighter sits on the skin like a translucent veil of glow and radiance, giving it a natural-looking sheen for a healthy appearance. 

Priced at ₹ 2,000 approximately

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/tower28beauty

Dew Stick Highlighter, Ārem BeautyGive your complexion an iridescent glow with these highlighter sticks. Apart from being highly pigmented, their formulation is loaded with skin-enriching ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, castor seed oil, moringa seed oil, vitamin E, shea butter, aloe vera, and more while adding a satiny-soft luminosity.Priced at ₹ 950Shop hereImage: Instagram.com/arembeauty

Dew Stick Highlighter, Ārem Beauty

Give your complexion an iridescent glow with these highlighter sticks. Apart from being highly pigmented, their formulation is loaded with skin-enriching ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, castor seed oil, moringa seed oil, vitamin E, shea butter, aloe vera, and more while adding a satiny-soft luminosity.

Priced at ₹ 950

Shop here

Image: Instagram.com/arembeauty

Also Read: The ultimate in-flight skincare routine to follow, according to a glow-obsessed beauty editor

Also Read: Does clear skin always mean healthy skin?

Also Read: How to tell if your skin barrier is damaged


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