The Best Drugstore Highlighters for a Dewy, Golden Glow

Best Overall: Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

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With so many stellar options, it's hard to name just one drugstore highlighter as the best of the best. Having said that, this one rises to the top of the list. It comes in four shades: pearl, gold, rose gold, and peach. The pressed powder formula melts into your skin and leaves a smooth, light-reflecting glow. Unlike many others in its category, this highlighter doesn't have any large glitter pigments—just a subtle, illuminating shimmer that looks effortless.

Best Budget: e.l.f. Cosmetics Baked Highlighter

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If you're looking for a super affordable pick, this award-winning product comes in three versatile colors: Blush Gems, Apricot Glow, and Moonlight Pearls. It's also infused with nourishing and hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E. Apply it wet for a more vibrant look, or dry for a sheer finish.

Best Liquid: Iman Luxury Concealing Foundation

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If you're partial to liquid formulas, you'll definitely want to check out this blend. It comes in a little dropper bottle and is available in three highly pigmented shades: Slay (a deep coppery hue), Strut (a medium golden tone), and Serve (a cool pearlescent color). A few drops are all you need to highlight your face, collarbone, and maybe even the tops of your shoulders.

Best Powder: Juvia's Place The Nubian Loose Highlighter

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If you're more of a powder person, this one comes in three show-stopping shimmery shades: Nubia (a pearly golden-bronze), Nefertiti (a buttery champagne gold), and Cleo (a light, creamy champagne). Loose powders are a little messier than liquid and pressed-powder formulas, but this highlighter is easy to apply. Using a fanned brush, lightly dust it over your cheekbones, cupid's bow, brow bones, and down the bridge of your nose.

Best Cream: Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter

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Want something a little creamier? This product is made with four naturally derived butters—emollient murumuru butter, moisturizing tucuma butter, cupuacu butter, and shea butter. The formula goes on smooth and then dries as a velvety soft powder. It comes in six flattering shades, ranging from Deep Mauve to Pearl.

Best for Dark Skin: Coloured Raine Focal Point GlowLighter

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This weightless and buttery soft pressed powder comes in several color options to complement and highlight deeper complexions. Notable shades include Lavender Dreams, which has blue and purple undertones, Bourgeois, a coppery raspberry hue, and Selfie, a luminous champagne color. The formula melts into skin with a dewy, dreamy effect.

Best for Olive Skin: Revlon PhotoReady Highlighting Stick

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The light-filtering formula (especially in Gold Light or Pink Light shades) of this highlighter is ideal for the cool tones of olive complexions. The smooth and creamy stick glides effortlessly over your skin, and it's easy to apply with precision. Use just a little for a subtle brightening effect or layer it on for a bolder look.

Best for Medium Skin: NYX Professional Makeup Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator

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For medium skin tones, this liquid illuminator is a winner. It comes in four light-reflecting colors: Sun Goddess (a deep copper), Pure Gold, Gleam (pink-toned champagne), and Sunbeam (a pinkish pearl). It can be dabbed onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow to highlight your face—or you can mix a drop in with your lotion or foundation to create an all-over opalescent glow.

Best for Fair Skin: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder

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This pearlescent highlighting powder is super flattering on fair skin. It comes in four easy-to-blend, highly pigmented colors and applies effortlessly for a lightweight, silky smooth finish. Tap it on with your fingers or use a brush to lightly dust it over the areas you want to highlight.

Best Shade Range: ColourPop Super Shock Highlighter

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This versatile highlighter comes in eight different hues. Deeper shades include Smoke n Whistles, cool-toned champagne with silver undertones, and Parasol, a peachy gold. As for medium hues, there's Wisp, pearlescent golden champagne, Guilty Pleasure, a peachy blush, and Flexitarian, reflective champagne. Lighter shades include Monster, a pale opalescent pink, Stole the Show, a silvery gold, and Lunch Money, a pearlized gold. The long-wear cream powder is light, buildable, and buttery soft. The end result is a subtle shimmer that creates a healthy-looking glow.

Best Palette: Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette

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Why choose just one shade when you can have three? This convenient compact offers a trifecta of pressed powders. Choose between two options—Rose Gold or Holographic Beams. You'll get a highlighter, low lighter, and illuminator all in one. Combine all three to create the perfect multi-dimensional glow or use one at a time. Even just a touch of the incandescent finish will enhance your complexion while highlighting the angles of your face.

Best for Body: Revlon x Ashley Graham Tropical Vibes Makeup Kit

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Most highlighters can be used on both your face and body. But if you want something formulated specifically for a below-the-neck glow, your best bet is this beachy collab from Revlon and model Ashley Graham. This highlighter kit includes Golden Lava Face & Body, a dewy liquid bronzer you can use from head to toe. You'll also get Lip Highlights, a shimmery copper lip gloss.