The Best Highlighter Stick — Top 5 in 2026
More and more women are switching from loose and pressed formulas to more convenient cream-based products. One such product is a highlighter stick—a product that combines easy application with a natural, “dewy” glow. Thanks to its creamy formula, it blends well with the skin and looks subtle even up close, which is why it’s especially popular with those who have dry or mature skin. It works well for both light everyday makeup and as a finishing touch for an evening look. However, not every highlighter stick delivers the same effect: some beautifully reflect light, while others leave behind glitter particles or fade quickly from the skin. That’s why, with the help of our testers, we took a closer look at longevity, pigmentation, and comfort to determine which highlighter stick is worth having in your makeup bag. Check out our ranking of the Top 5 best highlighter sticks of 2026 and find your perfect match.
Nutridome Face and Body Highlighter Stick in Champagne combines a radiant, smooth complexion with skin care. Its creamy texture, infused with light-reflecting particles, visually blurs imperfections, and its intensity can be built up in layers, from a subtle highlight to a dramatic strobing effect. Our testers particularly appreciated the nourishing formula. Shea butter forms a delicate protective layer on the skin that reduces water loss from the epidermis, keeping the complexion soft and supple. Sweet almond oil, rich in fatty acids, replenishes the skin’s lipids, smooths the skin, and provides a feeling of comfort. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant: it neutralizes free radicals and supports the health of skin exposed to external factors. According to our testers, this highlighter stick blends instantly into the skin, doesn’t settle into expression lines, and doesn’t leave a sticky residue, making it ideal even for dry and mature skin. Our testers were delighted with how easy it was to apply straight from the stick and with the elegant, champagne-colored glow it created on their cheekbones, the bridge of their nose, and their collarbones. They also liked the compact size, which fits in any makeup bag.
Nudestix Nudies Glow is a multifunctional highlighter stick. One end features a creamy stick, and the other has a blending brush. Mica and synthetic phlogopite are responsible for the radiant skin effect. These are light-diffusing mineral particles that visually even out the complexion and highlight the cheekbones. Our testers noticed that caprylic/capric triglycerides and tocopheryl acetate—a stable form of vitamin E—soften the skin and reduce the feeling of dryness after application. Candelilla wax gives the formula a firm texture, making the product easy to apply and ensuring the pigment is visible after just one swipe. The product is vegan. Our testers noted the presence of paraffin, ceresin, and microcrystalline wax. These ingredients form an occlusive film and may contribute to the formation of blackheads in people with oily skin. Another drawback is the high price compared to drugstore highlighters of a similar weight, as well as the limited number of ingredients with skincare benefits.
KIKO Milano Radiant Touch is a creamy highlighter stick whose formula is enriched with jojoba oil and a generous amount of micro-pearls. Jojoba oil has a composition similar to natural sebum, which is why it works well with the skin. It softens and smooths the skin and makes it easier to apply the product evenly. The micro-pearls reflect light at various angles, creating distinct highlights with a shimmering finish on the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and brow bone. The soft texture blends seamlessly with foundation, and according to the description, the formula is waterproof and free of comedogenic ingredients. The product also works well for facial contouring when paired with a contouring stick from the same line. Our testers noted that the manufacturer states the published list of ingredients may be incomplete. This makes it difficult to evaluate the formula before purchasing. Some testers also noted that the high concentration of microbeads may accentuate enlarged pores and uneven skin texture. Another downside is the price, which is higher than that of many drugstore alternatives.
L’Oreal Paris x Mugler is a creamy highlighter stick from a limited-edition collection, designed to create a glassy, “dewy” complexion. The glow comes from synthetic phlogopite and calcium sodium borosilicate. These are tiny light-reflecting particles that provide a smooth sheen without visible glitter. Diisostearyl malate and octyldodecanol are emollients that give the formula a silky glide. Thanks to them, the product blends easily with your fingers and melds seamlessly with your skin or foundation. Carnauba wax stabilizes the stick and improves the finish’s longevity, while silica reduces stickiness. The formula is free of fragrances and alcohol, which those with sensitive skin will appreciate. Our testers didn’t like the lack of skin-care ingredients: the formula contains no plant oils, vitamins, or moisturizing agents. Our testers also noted the presence of polyethylene, a synthetic polymer, and the small package size. Another drawback is the limited availability due to it being a limited edition.
The Catrice Glass Like Highlighter Stick is a highlighter stick with glitter particles that gives the skin a glass-like effect and a slightly dewy finish. The intense shine comes from mica combined with titanium dioxide and tin oxide. These particles reflect light and create distinct highlights on the cheekbones, brow bone, and décolletage. Emollients, such as diisostearyl malate and isononyl isononanoate, provide a creamy glide, allowing the stick to glide smoothly over the skin and blend easily. Tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate—also known as vitamin E—act as antioxidants and protect the formula from oxidation. The product is vegan and affordable. Our testers noted the presence of a fragrance, benzyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde, which may cause irritation in people with sensitive skin. Some testers also noted that the glitter particles accentuate enlarged pores and dry skin. Another downside is the stick’s small size.
