Bending the Budget: Glow Getters

In Bending the Budget, we explore both high-end and budget-friendly beauty products you can use to achieve the same goal. They might not necessarily be dupes, but rather recommendations based on what I like about each product, or what they claim to accomplish.

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As someone who doesn’t prefer a lot of shimmer in their makeup, it took me a long time to get on board with highlighters. Once I finally dipped my toe in, however, there was no turning back. Applying an illuminator to the high points of your face (cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, and sometimes the forehead) can give your skin a glow that looks healthy, bright and much to my surprise: natural.

The key to getting a radiance without coming out like a disco ball is to avoid the products that consider highlighter and glitter synonyms, and lean more toward illuminators that offer more of a luminescent sheen. This effect will mimic the sun bouncing off of healthy, dewy skin.

Save:

elf Baked Highlighter $3
Wet n Wild Coloricon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana $4
City Color Cosmetics Glowing Complexion Illuminating Cream $5
Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator $13

Splurge:

It Cosmetics Hello Light Anti-Aging Luminizing Creme Stick $24
Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer $28
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder $35
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat $41

Highlighters have been especially popular due to the no-makeup makeup look craze that’s been dominating the runways during fashion week. Letting your skin take the center stage can be daunting, but illuminating can help transform your face.

I have a few great highlighters in my personal stash (including 6 out of the 8 above), ranging from chump change cheap to luxury treats. One thing to remember is that highlighters can accentuate any dryness on the face, which is typically why I like working with creams the most. They add moisture and really help achieve that baby skin look. Regardless of if you decide to save or splurge, all of the picks above will give you a gorgeous glow without overdoing it.