which highlighter is actually worth the hype?
Which highlighter is ACTUALLY the best; ACTUALLY worth the hype? Well, lucky for you, over the past few months I’ve been testing the most raved-about liquid and cream highlighters in search of the very best so that you don’t have to. I am featuring three of the most popular highlighters on the market right now, including the TikTok viral Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Highlighter Wand. Each product will be broken down into three categories: 1. Price, 2. Application, 3. Finished Look. Let’s get started!
First up, we’re starting hot with the liquid highlighter that took the internet by storm: Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Highlighter Wand. Although coming in four unique shades, the focus of this review will be the ever so popular shade “Spotlight.” 1. Price: $40 per 0.40oz tube. 2. Application: The applicator itself is attached to the tube, making it super easy to use. The slim packaging makes it painless to hold while applying and simple to pack for on the go. Especially for those that are newer to liquid highlighters, this product ensures you’re not using far too much all at once. I only have one complaint. Similar to how a beauty sponge absorbs tons of makeup during application, I’ve found that this product does essentially the same thing, except it’s attached to the bottle. As a result, a fair amount of product goes to waste. All in all, the Beauty Highlighter Wand is by far my favorite application of all three! 3. Finished Look: This highlighter is beautiful! What stands out most to me is the sheer versatility of this product as it’d be flattering on most every skin tone. Overall, do I believe this product is really worth all of the hype? Listen, it’s a great product, but in my honest opinion, it’s a little too overhyped… 8/10
Second is the Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight. Stocked in three respective shades, let’s dive into my personal favorite shade, “Original.” 1. Price: $40 per 0.45oz bottle. 2. Application: Due to the thinner consistency of product in this glass bottle, the applicator comes in the form of a dropper. I have to admit, the consistency makes this product slightly more difficult to blend and use; however, once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze! In comparison, you need much less product with the dropper applicator versus the puff/sponge on the CT Wand to achieve the same look. 3. Finished Look: This shade is absolutely STUNNING and would be beautiful on anyone! The way it makes your skin glow and reflect light is dazzling. While comparable in shade to the CT Wand, I’ve found you get slightly more bang for your buck with Iconic London… 10/10
Lastly, the DIBS Status Stick – the influencer-created highlighter! With three distinct shades, “High Road Highlight” is my featured shade of choice. 1. Price: $32 per 1.3 oz bottle. 2. Application: Out of all three products on this list, this is the easiest to blend. I’d recommend this product to anyone, however, if you’re a beginner or fan of creams, this is the product for you! One of the best things about this product is the diversity in application all over the body. You can easily apply the stick directly to the face, arms, legs, etc. and blend it with your hands. 3. Finished Look: The Status Stick creates a beautiful natural highlighter, perfect for a natural makeup look! Overall, this shade is very comparable to both the CT “Spotlight” and Iconic London “Original” shades. While there are many pros, I have to mention a few things that aren’t my favorite. Of the three products, this is the least pigmented, causing me to reach for another product first. Additionally, the packaging is my least favorite of the three. It’s not the biggest deal in the world, but I have also experienced the packaging breaking off at the top and finding plastic pieces everywhere as a result. Still, this is a great product. All in all, if you’re looking to get more for your money, the DIBS Status Stick is the way to go…7/10
Which highlighter is ACTUALLY the best; ACTUALLY worth the hype? Coming in first place is the stunning Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight in “Original.” I consistently grab for this highlighter over the other two no matter what look I am going for. You will be the star of any room – it’s absolutely worth all the hype! Coming in a close second is the Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter Beauty Wand in “Spotlight,” followed by the DIBS Status Stick in “Highroad Highlight.” All of these products are definitely worth a try! Hopefully I was able to highlight some of the key differences and help illuminate the best choice for you. That said, if there’s anything else I can do to help, please feel free to reach out!
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