8 Best Illuminating Highlighters for Halloween Glow-Up

Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means. It’s time to transform your look and shine brighter than ever.

Whether you’re going for a mystical fairy, a glamorous vampire, or just want that extra sparkle in your costume, the right highlighter can make all the difference.

Your face deserves that ethereal glow that catches every light and makes heads turn at every Halloween party.

Key Takeaways

• Liquid highlighters blend seamlessly into your skin and create a natural, dewy glow that works perfectly under or over foundation for Halloween looks
• Powder highlighters offer more intense pigmentation and buildable coverage, making them ideal for dramatic costume makeup that needs to last all night
• Choose champagne or gold tones for warm skin tones, while pink or pearl shades complement cooler undertones beautifully
• Layer your highlighter over your costume makeup for maximum impact by applying it to cheekbones, nose bridge, cupid’s bow, and inner eye corners
• Budget-friendly options like Wet n Wild and e.l.f. perform just as well as luxury brands, giving you professional results without breaking the bank
• Most highlighters work for both face and body, allowing you to create a cohesive glowing look across your entire Halloween costume

Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder

This highlighter is a total game changer for anyone on a budget. The Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder delivers an intense, buildable glow that rivals high-end products at a fraction of the price. The formula is incredibly smooth and applies evenly without any patchiness.

The Pink Rose Gold Blossom Glow shade is universally flattering and gives your skin that beautiful lit-from-within radiance. You can apply it lightly for a subtle sheen or build it up for a more dramatic effect that’s perfect for Halloween. The powder texture feels silky and never emphasizes texture or pores.

What makes this highlighter special is its ability to catch the light beautifully. When you move, the product creates a stunning reflective effect that photographs incredibly well. This means your Halloween selfies will look absolutely amazing. The pigmentation is impressive, so you only need a small amount to achieve a gorgeous glow.

The compact size makes it easy to carry in your purse for touch-ups throughout your Halloween festivities. The mirror inside is also handy when you’re getting ready at a friend’s place. At this price point, you’re getting exceptional quality that performs like a much more expensive product.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable price point under $6
• Highly pigmented formula that lasts all night
• Smooth, buttery texture that blends easily
• Amazon’s Choice product with over 22,900 positive reviews
• Works beautifully on various skin tones

Cons:

• Powder formula may emphasize dry patches if skin isn’t prepped properly
• Can look too intense if applied with a heavy hand
• No applicator brush included in the compact

e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand

The e.l.f. Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand is pure magic in a tube. This liquid highlighter has a cushion-tip applicator that makes application incredibly easy and precise. You can dot it exactly where you want that glow without any mess or fuss.

The Champagne Campaign shade gives your skin a gorgeous golden luminosity that looks natural yet noticeable. The formula is lightweight and blends into your skin seamlessly. You can use your fingers, a sponge, or a brush to blend it out, and it always looks flawless.

This product works beautifully under or over foundation. When you mix it with your foundation, you get an all-over radiant finish. When you apply it on top, it creates targeted highlights that make your features pop. The formula is buildable, so you control the intensity of your glow.

The vegan and cruelty-free formula makes this a guilt-free choice for conscious beauty lovers. The product doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on your skin. It actually has a skin-like finish that looks incredibly natural in person and in photos.

For Halloween, this highlighter creates the perfect base glow for fairy costumes, angel looks, or any character that needs that ethereal quality. The staying power is impressive, lasting through hours of partying without fading or getting patchy.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use cushion-tip wand applicator
• Blends effortlessly into the skin
• Vegan and cruelty-free formula
• Versatile product works multiple ways
• Affordable at around $9

Cons:

• Liquid formula may not be intense enough for very dramatic looks
• Applicator can dispense too much product sometimes
• Limited shade range may not suit all skin tones

NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator

The NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator is a cult favorite for good reason. This product delivers a high-shine, glossy finish that makes your skin look absolutely radiant. The Sun Goddess shade is a beautiful warm golden tone that suits medium to deeper skin tones perfectly.

The formula has a slightly thicker consistency than some liquid highlighters, which actually helps with control during application. You can blend it out for a diffused glow or use it straight from the bottle for more concentrated shine. The product doesn’t separate or pill when layered over other makeup.

This illuminator contains light-reflecting pearls that create a multidimensional shine. Your skin catches the light from every angle, creating that coveted glazed donut effect. The formula is also hydrating, which means it doesn’t emphasize dry patches or texture.

You can mix this product with your body lotion for an all-over glow on your arms, legs, and collarbones. This is perfect for Halloween costumes that show more skin. The illuminator dries down but doesn’t set completely, maintaining that dewy, luminous quality all night.

The dropper applicator gives you precise control over how much product you use. A little goes a long way with this formula, so one bottle lasts a surprisingly long time. The product is also easy to travel with since the bottle is sturdy and doesn’t leak.

Pros:

• Beautiful warm golden tone for medium to deep skin tones
• Light-reflecting pearls create multidimensional shine
• Can be used on face and body
• Dropper applicator allows precise dosing
• Over 8,100 positive customer reviews

Cons:

• May be too warm-toned for very fair or cool-toned skin
• Slightly sticky texture until fully set
• Glass bottle can break if dropped

Physicians Formula Butter Glow Liquid Highlighter

The Physicians Formula Butter Glow Liquid Highlighter lives up to its name with a buttery-smooth texture that glides onto your skin effortlessly. This highlighter has a unique formula that feels incredibly luxurious during application. The product melts into your skin rather than sitting on top of it.

The high pigment formula means you get serious glow with just a small amount of product. This makes it perfect for creating those dramatic, editorial-style highlights that work beautifully for Halloween costume makeup. The color payoff is impressive without being overwhelming.

What sets this product apart is its skin-caring ingredients. Physicians Formula is known for creating makeup that’s good for your skin, and this highlighter doesn’t disappoint. The formula feels nourishing rather than drying, which is important when you’re wearing heavy Halloween makeup for extended periods.

The subtle shimmer particles in this highlighter create a sophisticated glow rather than chunky glitter. Your skin looks naturally radiant and healthy, not like you’ve applied obvious makeup. This makes it versatile enough for both everyday wear and special occasions.

The packaging is sleek and feels more expensive than it actually is. The pump dispenser keeps the product sanitary and prevents waste. You can easily control exactly how much product comes out, which helps you achieve the perfect amount of glow every time.

Pros:

• Buttery-smooth, luxurious texture
• High pigment delivers intense glow
• Contains skin-nourishing ingredients
• Hygienic pump dispenser
• Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons:

• Higher price point around $10
• Limited shade options available
• Pump can be difficult to get product from when bottle is nearly empty

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter

Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter is a show-stopping powder highlighter that delivers intense pigmentation and brilliant shine. The Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal duo gives you two complementary shades in one compact, offering incredible versatility for creating custom highlight looks.

This highlighter has a cream-powder hybrid formula that feels incredibly smooth and creamy during application. The texture is unlike traditional powder highlighters because it has more slip and blends more easily. You get the convenience of a powder with the blendability of a cream.

The metallic finish of this highlighter is absolutely stunning. It creates a high-shine, reflective effect that’s perfect for bold Halloween looks. The product photographs beautifully, which is important when you want to capture your costume on social media. The shimmer particles are finely milled, so they never look chunky or glittery.

Both shades in the duo can be worn separately or swirled together for a custom color. This versatility makes it easy to adjust your highlight to match different costumes or lighting situations. The staying power is excellent, lasting through hours of wear without fading or becoming patchy.

The gorgeous packaging makes this feel like a luxury product. The compact is sturdy and includes a good-sized mirror. At around $36, it’s an investment piece, but the quality and amount of product you get make it worth the price.

Pros:

• Cream-powder hybrid formula for easy blending
• Duo compact offers two shades for versatility
• Intense, buildable pigmentation
• Long-lasting formula stays put all night
• Beautiful packaging with large mirror

Cons:

• Higher price point around $36
• Very intense shine may be too much for subtle looks
• Can emphasize texture if applied too heavily

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is a multi-use wonder product that works as a primer, highlighter, and complexion booster all in one. This product creates that soft-focus, filtered effect that makes your skin look like it’s been professionally airbrushed.

The formula has a unique blurring quality that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines while adding luminosity. When you apply this product, your skin looks smoother and more refined. The finish is naturally radiant rather than overly shiny or glittery.

You can wear this product multiple ways depending on your desired look. Mix it with foundation for an all-over glow, apply it under foundation as a luminous primer, or use it as a traditional highlighter on high points of your face. Each method creates a slightly different but equally beautiful effect.

The shade range is impressive, with options to suit various skin tones. The formula contains light-reflecting particles that are incredibly fine and sophisticated. Your skin looks like it’s glowing from within rather than having shimmer applied on top.

For Halloween, this product is perfect when you want a glamorous, red-carpet worthy glow. It works beautifully for vintage Hollywood costumes, elegant vampire looks, or any character that needs that polished, sophisticated shine. The product sets to a natural finish that doesn’t transfer or rub off easily.

Pros:

• Multi-use product works as primer and highlighter
• Creates soft-focus, airbrushed effect
• Available in multiple shades for different skin tones
• Sophisticated, finely-milled shimmer
• Long-wearing formula

Cons:

• Premium price point at $49
• May be too subtle for very dramatic costume looks
• Smaller bottle size compared to drugstore options

KYDA Face Highlighter Palette

The KYDA Face Highlighter Palette is a fantastic value option that gives you multiple highlighter shades in one convenient palette. The Sun Glow palette includes warm golden tones that create a beautiful, natural-looking radiance on the skin.

The baked powder formula has a smooth, silky texture that applies evenly without any chalkiness. The baking process creates a product that’s incredibly pigmented and has a pearl shimmer finish. The product builds beautifully, allowing you to customize your level of glow.

What makes this palette special is the versatility it offers. You can use the shades individually for targeted highlighting or swirl your brush through multiple shades for a custom, multidimensional glow. The different tones work together harmoniously to create a sophisticated highlight.

The staying power of this highlighter is impressive for the price point. The formula adheres well to the skin and lasts through hours of wear without fading. The product also works beautifully on the body, making it perfect for creating an all-over glow for costumes that show more skin.

The compact packaging includes a decent-sized mirror, making it travel-friendly. At under $10, this palette offers exceptional value. You’re essentially getting multiple highlighters for the price of one, which makes it budget-friendly for anyone wanting to experiment with different highlight shades.

Pros:

• Multiple shades in one palette for versatility
• Baked formula creates smooth, pigmented application
• Budget-friendly price around $10
• Can be used on face and body
• Over 2,900 positive reviews

Cons:

• Shades may be too warm for very cool-toned skin
• Fallout can occur if not careful during application
• No brush included in the palette

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion

The L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion is a hybrid product that combines skincare and makeup in one bottle. This illuminating lotion gives your skin a natural, healthy glow while also providing light hydration. The formula feels more like a skincare product than traditional makeup.

The lightweight, water-based formula absorbs quickly into your skin without leaving any greasy residue. You can use it all over your face for an all-over luminous effect or apply it strategically to specific areas for targeted highlighting. The product layers beautifully with other makeup without pilling or separating.

This glotion works wonderfully as a makeup base that gives your skin a gorgeous glow before you even apply foundation. When mixed with foundation, it transforms your base makeup into a radiant, dewy finish. The versatility of this product makes it a valuable addition to any makeup collection.

The glycerin-infused formula provides hydration benefits along with illumination. Your skin feels comfortable wearing this product all day. The glow it creates looks natural and skin-like rather than obviously makeup. This is perfect for Halloween looks that need to look polished but not overly done.

The shade range allows you to find a tone that matches or complements your skin tone. The product is buildable, so you can create a subtle glow for everyday wear or layer it for more intensity when you want to make a statement.

Pros:

• Hybrid skincare-makeup formula hydrates while illuminating
• Lightweight, non-greasy texture
• Can be used multiple ways for versatility
• Affordable drugstore price
• Over 47,600 positive customer reviews

Cons:

• May not provide enough intensity for very dramatic looks
• Lighter shades can appear whitish on deeper skin tones
• Pump dispenser can malfunction occasionally

Why Highlighter Is Essential for Halloween Makeup

Highlighter transforms ordinary costume makeup into something truly spectacular. The product creates dimension and depth on your face that makes your features more prominent and photogenic. Without highlighter, your costume makeup can appear flat and one-dimensional under different lighting conditions.

Halloween parties often have varied lighting situations from dim rooms to bright camera flashes. Highlighter ensures your makeup looks good in all these conditions by reflecting light back to the camera and to viewers’ eyes. Your costume will photograph better and look more polished in person.

Professional makeup artists always use highlighter to create that finished, editorial look. When you add highlighter to your Halloween makeup, you’re elevating your entire look to a professional level. The product ties together all your makeup elements and creates cohesion.

Different highlighter finishes work for different costume types. Subtle, natural highlights work for realistic character makeup. Bold, metallic highlights suit fantasy creatures and glamorous costumes. Understanding which type of highlight your costume needs helps you choose the right product.

Highlighter also helps create specific character effects. You can use it to create an ethereal fairy glow, a vampire’s otherworldly pallor, or a mermaid’s iridescent scales. The right highlighter makes these character-specific effects more convincing and impressive.

How to Choose the Right Highlighter Shade

Your skin tone plays a crucial role in determining which highlighter shade will look most flattering. Fair skin tones look beautiful with champagne, pearl, and icy pink highlighters that complement their natural undertones. These shades create a delicate glow without looking too stark or obvious.

Medium skin tones can wear a wide range of highlighter shades from peachy gold to rose gold. These warm, luminous tones complement the natural warmth in medium skin beautifully. Golden highlighters create a sun-kissed effect that looks healthy and radiant.

Deep skin tones look stunning in rich golden, bronze, and copper highlighters. These deeper, more pigmented shades show up beautifully on darker skin and create a gorgeous glow. Avoid highlighters that are too pale or ashy, as they can look chalky on deep skin tones.

Consider your undertones when choosing highlighter shades. Cool undertones look best with pink and pearl highlighters. Warm undertones pair beautifully with golden and peachy shades. Neutral undertones can wear almost any highlighter shade successfully.

Your costume colors should also influence your highlighter choice. Match your highlighter to the overall color scheme of your costume for a cohesive look. A silver costume pairs beautifully with cool-toned highlighters, while gold costume elements work with warm highlighters.

Application Tips for Maximum Glow

The placement of your highlighter determines how your face shape appears and how noticeable your glow is. Apply highlighter to the high points of your face where light naturally hits. This includes your cheekbones, brow bones, nose bridge, cupid’s bow, and inner eye corners.

Blend, blend, blend is the golden rule for natural-looking highlighter application. Use a damp beauty sponge, a fluffy brush, or your fingers to blend the edges of your highlight seamlessly into your skin. Harsh lines make highlighter look obvious and unnatural.

Layer your highlighter over powder products for the most intense effect. If you’re using powder highlighter, apply it after setting powder. For liquid highlighters, you can apply them before or after foundation depending on your desired intensity.

Create a targeted highlight by using a small brush for precise application. This technique works beautifully for creating specific effects like making your nose appear slimmer or your cheekbones more prominent. Precision application gives you more control over your final look.

Set your liquid highlighter with a coordinating powder highlighter for extended wear. This technique, called sandwiching, makes your highlight last significantly longer. The powder helps absorb any oils while maintaining the glow throughout the night.

Powder vs. Liquid Highlighter

Powder highlighters offer intense pigmentation and buildable coverage that works beautifully for dramatic looks. The formula is easy to control and blend, making it beginner-friendly. Powder highlighters also tend to have better staying power on oily skin types.

Liquid highlighters create a more natural, dewy finish that looks like your skin is glowing from within. The formula blends seamlessly into the skin and layers well with other products. Liquid highlighters work particularly well for dry skin types as they don’t emphasize texture.

Cream highlighters offer a middle ground between powder and liquid formulas. They provide good pigmentation with a smooth, blendable texture. Cream highlighters work beautifully on all skin types and can be applied with fingers, brushes, or sponges.

Consider your skin type when choosing between formulas. Oily skin typically works better with powder highlighters that won’t slide around. Dry skin looks better with liquid or cream highlighters that provide a hydrating, dewy finish.

Your makeup application method also influences which formula works best. If you prefer quick, finger application, liquid and cream highlighters are ideal. If you like using brushes for precise application, powder highlighters give you more control.

Making Your Highlighter Last All Night

Prep your skin properly before applying highlighter to ensure maximum staying power. Start with clean, moisturized skin. Apply primer in the areas where you’ll be highlighting to create a smooth base that helps the product adhere better.

Use a setting spray before and after applying your highlighter. Spray your face before makeup application to create a tacky base. After completing your makeup, spray again to lock everything in place. This sandwich method significantly extends wear time.

Choose long-wearing formulas specifically designed for extended wear. Look for highlighters that claim to be waterproof, transfer-proof, or long-lasting. These formulas typically contain ingredients that help them adhere to skin better and resist fading.

Avoid touching your face throughout the night to prevent rubbing off your highlighter. This is especially important in areas where you naturally touch your face frequently. The oils from your fingers can break down makeup and cause it to fade prematurely.

Bring your highlighter with you for touch-ups throughout the night. Even the best formulas may need a quick refresh after hours of wear. A small compact powder highlighter is easy to carry and can quickly revive your glow.

Common Highlighter Mistakes to Avoid

Applying too much product is the most common highlighter mistake. Start with a small amount and build up gradually. It’s much easier to add more highlighter than to remove excess product. Remember that highlighter is meant to enhance, not overpower your features.

Using the wrong shade for your skin tone can make your highlighter look obvious or unnatural. Avoid highlighters that are too light or too dark for your complexion. The product should complement your natural skin tone rather than sitting on top of it looking separate.

Applying highlighter to textured skin can emphasize pores, fine lines, and dry patches. Avoid highlighting areas with visible texture or blemishes. Focus on smooth areas of your face where the light-reflecting properties will create a beautiful effect.

Using highlighter on your entire face creates an overly shiny appearance rather than a strategic glow. Highlighter should be applied only to specific high points of your face. This creates dimension and makes your features more prominent.

Not blending properly leaves harsh lines and makes your highlighter application look obvious. Take extra time to blend the edges of your highlight into your foundation or bare skin. The transition should be seamless and gradual.

Can I Wear Highlighter on Bare Skin?

Yes, you can definitely wear highlighter on bare skin for a natural, minimal makeup look. Liquid highlighters work particularly well for this application method. They blend seamlessly into bare skin and create a subtle, dewy glow that looks fresh and effortless.

Apply moisturizer first to create a hydrated base for your highlighter. This helps the product blend more easily and prevents it from looking patchy. Let your moisturizer absorb for a few minutes before applying highlighter.

Use your fingers to apply and blend highlighter on bare skin. Your body heat warms the product and helps it melt into your skin. Gently tap and blend the product onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and other high points of your face.

Cream and liquid formulas work better than powder highlighters on bare skin. Powder products can look obvious without foundation underneath to blend into. Cream and liquid formulas have a more skin-like finish that works beautifully on bare skin.

This technique is perfect for casual Halloween gatherings or daytime events where you want a subtle, glowing look. You get the benefits of highlighted features without the commitment of full makeup.

What’s the Difference Between Highlighter and Illuminator?

Highlighters and illuminators serve similar purposes but have some key differences. Highlighters are typically more intense and pigmented. They create focused, noticeable shine on specific areas where you apply them. Highlighters come in powder, liquid, and cream formulas.

Illuminators are usually more subtle and sheer. They’re often mixed with other products or applied all over the face for a general radiance. Illuminators tend to have a more natural finish and are designed to create an all-over glow rather than targeted shine.

Highlighters are applied strategically to high points of the face to create dimension. They’re meant to catch the light and draw attention to specific features. The application is deliberate and placement-specific.

Illuminators can be mixed into foundation, moisturizer, or primer for an all-over luminous effect. They can also be applied to the entire face as a finishing step. The application is more general and diffused rather than targeted.

For Halloween makeup, highlighters typically work better because they create more dramatic, noticeable effects. However, illuminators can work beautifully as a base for other makeup or for subtle, natural costume looks.

How Do I Apply Highlighter for Different Face Shapes?

Round faces benefit from highlighter applied to the center of the forehead, down the nose bridge, and on the tops of cheekbones. This creates vertical lines that make the face appear longer. Avoid highlighting the apples of your cheeks, as this can make your face look wider.

Oval faces can wear highlighter on all the traditional placement points including cheekbones, brow bones, nose bridge, cupid’s bow, and chin. This face shape is naturally balanced, so standard highlighter placement looks flattering.

Square faces look best with highlighter focused on softening angular features. Apply highlighter to the center of the forehead, chin, and tops of cheekbones. Blend well to create a softer, more rounded appearance.

Heart-shaped faces should focus highlighter on the center of the face to balance a wider forehead and narrower chin. Apply highlighter to cheekbones, nose bridge, and cupid’s bow. Avoid highlighting the forehead too much, as this can emphasize the width.

Long faces look best with highlighter applied horizontally rather than vertically. Focus on the cheekbones, extending the highlight slightly toward your temples. Avoid highlighting down the center of your face, as this emphasizes length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use highlighter as eyeshadow for my Halloween look?

Yes, you can absolutely use highlighter as eyeshadow for a beautiful, glowing eye look. Powder highlighters work particularly well for this purpose. Apply them to your eyelids with an eyeshadow brush just like you would regular eyeshadow. This creates a gorgeous, luminous effect that makes your eyes appear brighter and more awake. The technique works beautifully for fairy costumes, angel looks, or any character that needs that ethereal quality. Just make sure to use an eyeshadow primer underneath to help the highlighter adhere and last longer.

Do I need to use primer before applying highlighter?

Using primer before highlighter helps the product last longer and appear more vibrant, but it’s not absolutely necessary. If you’re wearing highlighter over foundation, the foundation acts as a base. For bare skin application, a light layer of primer in the areas where you’ll highlight creates a smooth surface for better adhesion. For Halloween when you need your makeup to last for hours, primer is definitely recommended. It prevents your highlighter from fading or becoming patchy throughout the night.

How do I remove highlighter with glitter at the end of the night?

Removing glittery highlighter requires a good makeup remover and patience. Start with an oil-based makeup remover or cleansing balm. These formulas break down makeup effectively, including stubborn glitter particles. Apply the remover to dry skin and massage gently to dissolve the makeup. Use a soft cloth or cotton pad to wipe away the product. Follow up with your regular cleanser to remove any remaining residue. For particularly stubborn glitter, use tape to gently lift the particles from your skin before cleansing.

Can highlighter make my costume makeup look more professional?

Absolutely, highlighter is one of the key products professional makeup artists use to create polished, finished looks. It adds dimension and makes your features more prominent in photos. The strategic placement of highlighter creates depth that makes your costume makeup appear more sophisticated and intentional. Even simple costumes look more impressive when you add proper highlighting. The product catches light beautifully, making your entire look more dynamic and photogenic.

What’s better for Halloween, subtle or intense highlighter?

This depends entirely on your costume and personal preference. Fantasy characters like fairies, mermaids, or mystical creatures look amazing with intense, dramatic highlighter. Realistic character makeup or subtle costumes work better with natural, understated highlighting. Consider your costume’s overall aesthetic when choosing your highlighter intensity. Remember, you can always build up a subtle highlighter for more intensity, but it’s harder to tone down an overly intense product.

How do I prevent my highlighter from looking chunky or glittery?

Choose highlighters with finely-milled shimmer particles rather than chunky glitter. Read product reviews and descriptions carefully to understand the finish. When applying, use a light hand and blend thoroughly. Building up thin layers creates a more sophisticated effect than applying too much product at once. Spray your brush or sponge with setting spray before picking up powder highlighter to help the particles adhere more smoothly to your skin.