Achieving a radiant, glowing complexion is a beauty goal that never goes out of style. As we move into 2024, highlighters continue to play a crucial role in enhancing skin’s luminosity and giving it that coveted, lit-from-within glow. This year’s trends focus on innovative formulations, versatile application techniques, and a spectrum of shades that cater to every skin tone. Whether you prefer a subtle sheen or an intense shine, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best highlighter trends for 2024, ensuring your skin remains luminous and fresh throughout the year.
1. Liquid Highlighters: The Modern Must-Have
Liquid highlighters are dominating the beauty scene in 2024 due to their versatility and blendability. Unlike powder highlighters, liquid formulas offer a dewy finish that melds seamlessly with the skin, creating a natural, glowing effect. Brands are experimenting with a range of textures and finishes, from ultra-smooth gels to shimmering elixirs.
Key Benefits:
- Blendability: Liquid highlighters can be easily mixed with foundation or moisturizer for a subtle glow or applied directly to the high points of the face for a more pronounced shine.
- Buildable Coverage: These products allow you to build the intensity of your glow from a soft sheen to a bold highlight, depending on your preference.
- Hydrating Formulas: Many liquid highlighters are infused with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps keep the skin plump and radiant.
Top Picks for 2024:
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Highlighter: Known for its smooth application and wide range of shades, it’s perfect for creating a personalized glow.
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter: This product doubles as a highlighter and a primer, giving a radiant finish while smoothing out the skin.
2. Cream Highlighters: The Glow-Getter’s Choice
Cream highlighters are making a significant comeback this year. Their creamy texture offers a natural finish that is ideal for achieving a dewy look. They are especially suitable for dry or mature skin types as they provide a hydrating effect without emphasizing texture.
Key Benefits:
- Natural Finish: Cream highlighters offer a softer, more natural glow compared to powder options.
- Ease of Application: They can be applied with fingers, brushes, or sponges, making them versatile and easy to use.
- Layering Capability: Cream highlighters can be layered over foundation or mixed with other products for a customized look.
Top Picks for 2024:
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter: This cream formula delivers a stunning glow with a smooth texture that blends effortlessly.
- Danessa Myricks Light Work Cream Highlighter: Known for its intense luminosity and multi-dimensional shine, it’s perfect for creating a standout highlight.
3. Powder Highlighters: The Classic Favorite
Powder highlighters continue to be a staple in many makeup routines due to their ease of application and long-lasting finish. In 2024, expect to see powder highlighters with improved formulas that offer a softer texture and a more radiant glow.
Key Benefits:
- Longevity: Powder highlighters tend to last longer throughout the day compared to some cream or liquid formulas.
- Variety of Finishes: They come in various finishes, including shimmer, metallic, and satin, allowing you to choose the look that best suits your style.
- Easy to Layer: Powder highlighters can be built up for a more intense glow or applied lightly for a subtle effect.
Top Picks for 2024:
- Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder: This powder offers a soft-focus finish with a lit-from-within glow that’s perfect for everyday wear.
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter: Renowned for its blinding shine and smooth texture, it’s a favorite among makeup enthusiasts.
4. Customizable Highlighter Palettes
Customizable highlighter palettes are becoming increasingly popular in 2024. These palettes often include a range of shades and finishes, allowing you to mix and match to create a personalized highlight that complements your skin tone and makeup look.
Key Benefits:
- Versatility: Customizable palettes allow for the creation of a range of highlight intensities and tones, making them suitable for different occasions.
- Travel-Friendly: Instead of carrying multiple highlighter products, a palette provides all your highlighting needs in one compact package.
- Cost-Effective: Investing in a palette can be more economical than buying individual highlighters, especially if you enjoy experimenting with different looks.
Top Picks for 2024:
- Tarte Tarteist Pro Glow Palette: This palette offers a combination of matte and shimmer finishes, providing versatile highlighting options.
- Morphe x Jaclyn Hill Highlighter Palette: Featuring a selection of shades and finishes, this palette is ideal for creating a variety of glowing looks.
5. Innovative Formulas: Gel and Balm Highlighters
In 2024, gel and balm highlighters are gaining popularity for their unique textures and ease of application. These innovative formulas offer a fresh, dewy finish that enhances the skin’s natural radiance without appearing cakey or heavy.
Key Benefits:
- Lightweight Texture: Gel and balm highlighters feel lightweight on the skin, providing a comfortable wear throughout the day.
- Fresh Finish: They give a fresh, dewy look that mimics natural skin glow, making them ideal for achieving a youthful appearance.
- Ease of Use: These formulas can be applied with fingers or brushes, making them user-friendly and versatile.
Top Picks for 2024:
- Glossier Haloscope: Known for its dewy finish and easy application, this balm highlighter provides a natural-looking glow.
- Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick: This gel formula delivers a radiant, buildable shine that enhances your complexion effortlessly.
6. Trendy Highlighter Shades for 2024
This year’s highlighter trends feature an array of shades that cater to diverse skin tones and preferences. From classic golds and silvers to vibrant pinks and blues, there’s a highlighter shade to suit every style.
Trending Shades:
- Warm Golds: Perfect for adding a sun-kissed glow, warm gold highlighters enhance tan and medium skin tones beautifully.
- Cool Silvers: Ideal for fair skin tones, silver highlighters offer a chic, icy finish that brightens up the complexion.
- Rosy Pinks: These shades provide a soft, romantic glow and are flattering on all skin tones, giving a healthy flush of color.
- Iridescent Blues and Purples: For a more adventurous look, iridescent shades can add a touch of fantasy and creativity to your highlight.
Conclusion
As we embrace 2024, the world of highlighters continues to evolve, offering exciting new options for achieving that radiant glow. From versatile liquid and cream formulas to innovative gel and balm textures, there’s a highlighter to suit every skin type and preference. By staying updated with the latest trends and experimenting with different shades and finishes, you can enhance your natural beauty and achieve a luminous, glowing complexion that shines throughout the year.
Embrace the diversity of highlighter trends and explore the products that best complement your style and skin tone. With the right highlighter, you can effortlessly achieve a fresh, radiant look that highlights your natural beauty and keeps you glowing from within.
