For those beauty geeks out there, one of the major trends of 2016 was, of course, highlighting and contouring. It was impossible to escape the Kardashian-esque cheekbones on every night out since the trend started making waves on YouTube and Instagram. Now even yours truly has jumped on the bandwagon, with makeup gurus like Shanxo, Jaclyn Hill, Jefree Star, Chloe Morton, Kathleen Lights and more having mastered the trend. For those unaware of what exactly highlighting is here’s a quick rundown. Contrary to what you may think, it does not involve your favourite highlighter from the bumper pack you bought in Easons at the start of the year. Highlighting is basically accentuating the high points of your face such as your cheekbones, cupids bow, brow bone, tip of your nose etc. While highlighting products come in all shapes and sizes, they can range in price as well, with the cheapest options on the market starting from as little as €3.50, and working up as far as €150. Yikes! I can feel my bank account screaming in pain already.
To save you glowing queens from the urge to splurge on expensive highlighters, yours truly has taken one for the team and searched the high street for the best and brightest on the market. Here’s a quick rundown of the best options available.
Cheap and Cheerful:
First up on our list is from Penneys, P.S… Range. The ‘Strobe Crayon Trio’, which retails for €3.50. The three shades are pearl, bronze and blush. Honestly for the price they are, these crayons are decent enough, but the pearl crayon is probably the best of the bunch as it creates a more pigmented look. Can never go too wrong with Peneys, eh?
Next on our hit list is from Catrice, the ‘Made to Stay’ highlighter pen, which retails for €4.30. This cream highlighter is great for on the go, and for anyone on a budget or just looking for a quick way to brighten up dark under eye circles on their way to college.
Finally our last product is also from Catrice, the ‘High Glow’ highlighting mineral powder, which retails for €5.50. To be honest, I was quite disappointed by this product, primarily because of the fall out, the lack of pigmentation and also because it resembles more of a pale pink blush than a highlight.
Now these next beauty buys are actually part of my make-up routine. The Sleek ‘barekissed’ illuminator, in the shade Monaco, retails at €10.03. Honestly, this is a must-have in my opinion. Use it under your foundation for a radiant glow, or use it as the base for an insane highlight, if you prefer a more intense look. You can also use it under foundation, and then put your highlighter on top for a finish brighter than a computer screen during exam week.
Of course to create a look as killer and intense as the sun itself, I’d recommend investing in either the Sleek solstice or Cleopatra highlight palette, each one retails at €12.49 and are pigmented, produce hardly any fallout and are presented in this easy compact with a mirror. It’s perfect for anyone the go, the Sleek palette is made up of two powders and two cream highlighters, just like the latest addition to the sleek family, the Cleopatra palette.
Sleek have really upped their game this year, with amazing highlighter palettes and an illuminator that’s brighter than the sun, head to your nearest Sleek counter before they’re gone.
Of course I had to splurge a little to gather all the info for you guys. It’s called journalism. Any Benefit Cosmetics fans? Well, if not, prepare to be converted to the San Francisco beauty company, because ‘Girl Meets Pearl’ is a luxe highlighter that suits almost every skintone. Now, at €35 it is a bit of stretch especially on a budget, but if you’re looking for quality then look no further because this little gem is magic. Put it on the Christmas wish list, or start saving now because this little beauty flies off the shelves.
So there you have it guys and gals, the best highlighters on the high street, if you want any more reviews on products this these, please like, comment and share this post.
Aileen O’Leary