In the midst of August, with sun-kissed skin and the heat pressing in, powders stop making sense. They accumulate in the folds, look heavy on sweaty skin, and require constant touch-ups that no one has time to do in summer. Cream highlighter solves exactly that: melts into the skin in seconds, doesn’t need a brush or a mirror, and the result lasts far longer than any powder would on a beach day.
Applied with the fingers on the high points of the face, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow, it achieves a light effect that seems to come from within rather than staying on the surface. Stick formats are the most practical because they fit in any small bag without taking up space, and some even go beyond the face and can be used on lips, lids, or décolletage for a glow that extends across the skin.
Not all finishes are the same, and in August the difference is especially noticeable. Those with glitter or very marked particles look artificial under direct sun, while the more translucent finishes without obvious shine achieve that healthy skin effect that flatters more with a tan. Some also incorporate hydrating ingredients such as squalane or vegetable oils, so they illuminate while caring for skin worn by the sun.
Since I incorporated one of these highlighters into my summer routine, makeup is solved in a single gesture: no heavy foundations, no mid-afternoon touch-ups, just a little product on the right points and the skin ready for any plan. It’s one of those products that starts as a seasonal whim and ends up staying all year round.
Baume Essentiel by Chanel.
Baume Essentiel by Chanel
A hydrating luminous balm that is applied with small taps and creates a play of reflections that sculpt the face, working equally well in sophisticated makeup as in more natural looks. Its retractable highlighting brush guarantees precision, while the stick format allows applying it directly on the skin and blending with the fingers. On the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and Cupid’s bow it structures the face, and on lips and eyelids it hydrates while providing a subtle touch of light.
Dior Backstage Glassy Glow Stick by Dior.
Dior Backstage Glassy Glow Stick by Dior
A multi-use highlighter balm with iridescent sheen that achieves a dewy glow with multiple reflections for a glass skin effect on the face, eyes, lips and décolletage with a single gesture. Its ultrafine texture, easy to blend and practically imperceptible on the skin, hydrates for 24 hours thanks to cherry oil, leaving the skin visibly smooth. Available in eight translucent shades and two finishes, glazed pearly and glossy without glitter, it is among this season’s most talked-about launches.
Day Glow by Merit Beauty.
Day Glow by Merit Beauty
A hydrating and very light highlighter that delivers a fresh, radiant glow with no trace of glitter, with squalane that maintains hydration and nourishes the skin to reveal its natural brightness. Available at Sephora. Its vitamin-rich base protects the skin barrier while illuminating, achieving that healthy, luminous skin look that is so sought after right now.
Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick by Fenty Beauty.
Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick by Fenty Beauty
An ultra-smooth and easy-to-blend stick highlighter that serves to illuminate, warm, and add color to the complexion depending on the look you seek, without emphasizing expression lines. Available in 10 shades that reflect light in very different ways, it has the added advantage of being magnetic, which allows you to combine several in travel-sized formats without taking up extra space.
The No-Rules Stick Highlighter by 3INA.
The No-Rules Stick Highlighter by 3INA
A 3-in-1 highlighter with a water-based base and luminous pearls that glides easily over the eyes, lips, cheeks, or body, perfect to carry with you and achieve an express glow at any moment. No rules or complicated steps, it’s one of those products that solves a look in seconds, when and where you need it.
