The Best Luminizers in 2022 | Bestcovery Reviews

We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more

Best Luminizers for A Radiant Glow

  1. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter - Immediate Luminizer
  2. Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminizer
  3. Guerlain Parure Gold Precious Light 01 Luminizer
  4. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter Luminizer
  5. Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Luminizer
  6. Buyer's Guide

Professional makeup artists are always talking about the benefits of luminizers, shimmery cosmetic products containing finely-ground minerals and are available in different forms including liquid, stick, and pressed powder. Luminizers highlight and define the face and body, adding a soft glow and shimmer to skin while diffusing light for a younger and brighter appearance.

The following best luminizers in 2022 instantly brighten skin with superior light diffusing particles such as gold and mica, contain highly effective skin-enriching ingredients such as myrrh and Argan oil, and showcase the highest user ratings due to the formulas' smooth application and illuminating effects.

The Best Luminizers Models of 2022 in Detail

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter - Immediate Luminizer - Best Luminizer Overall

Wake up your skin and reveal its brilliance with Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer. Just a dab of this product refreshes eyes, conceals dark circles, and brings out the best in every skin tone and type. The super-subtle light diffusing particles add a radiant glow, highlighting your cheekbones, eyelids, brow bones, and other areas of your body.

This luminizer features 100% pure Argan oil, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids to rejuvenate your skin, while natural grape seed oil provides nourishment for a healthy glow. Users claim this product looks very natural on skin, blending in easily with foundations and moisturizers. Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer contains no synthetic fragrances or preservatives making it an amazing all-around product.

Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminizer - Runner Up

Achieve subtle luminosity with Shimmering Skin Perfector by BECCA. This sheer, crème-liquid formula contains ultra-fine pearls made of naturally-derived mica particles which reflect and adjust to light for a natural glow. It also contains antioxidants like avocado and vitamins for protection against free radical damage, witch hazel for anti-inflammatory benefits, and skin-soothing aloe.

Users claim this dermatologist-tested formula delivers a stunning effect suited for all skin types, even oily skin. This luminizer even provides sun protection factor (SPF) 25 protection and comes in four gorgeous shades including white pearl, pale gold, golden opal pearl, and golden bronze pearl.

Guerlain Parure Gold Precious Light 01 Luminizer - Honorable Mention

Illuminate dark areas and diminish signs of fatigue with Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator by Guerlain. This double-sided cosmetic tool features an opaque end for concealing imperfections while the golden end of this wand reflects light, softens skin, and regenerates using a blend of peptide-enriched myrrh oil.

Both ends of this illuminating tool will leave your skin looking more youthful and revived with users claiming it blends well and illuminates eyes perfectly. Light Rejuvenating Illuminator is commonly mistaken for a concealer, but it's actually designed to highlight, contour, and brighten key areas of your face to enhance skin texture and tone.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter Luminizer - Consider

Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch) by Yves Saint Laurent delivers instant luminosity, radiance, and lift with a few strokes of a pen. Used by renowned makeup artists and models, this award-winning "magic wand" instantly illuminates skin and erases dark circles while diminishing signs of aging and fatigue. This brightening effect leaves you looking refreshed, radiant, and simply flawless throughout the day.

Users claim this highlighting pen leaves skin smooth and glowing while concealing redness and under-eye circles. However, some users thought it was too expensive given the amount of product provided. On a positive note, Touche Eclat comes in 12 stunning shades and is formulated to work with all skin types.

Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Luminizer - Best Luminizer

High Beam by Benefit Cosmetics is known as "supermodel in a bottle" because it instantly enhances your complexion with subtle luminescence. Simply apply to any desired highlight area such as cheek and brow bones for soft, dewy flush. You can wear it over your makeup or add it to your lotion for natural-looking afterglow.

A tiny dab of this complexion enhancer goes a very long way and one bottle can last an entire year which offsets the products high cost. Users claim High Beam blends very well and provides a beautiful glow lasting all day; however some individuals weren't impressed with the nail polish applicator brush.

Buyer's Guide

How To Know Which Luminizer Is Perfect For You?

Shade

When looking to buy any sort of face product, not just a luminizer, a useful tip is to always find a shade that suits not only your skin tone but also your undertone. Although most people tend to prefer highlighters and luminizers with gold and peach hues, they don’t suit all types of skin tones, only the fair ones. If you have more of a medium to wheatish skin tone then you should check out dewy liquid highlighters that have a gold and champagne hue. And for people with a darker tone should go for bronze and copper shades.

Texture

Liquid luminizers should always have a texture that is neither runny or so thick that it becomes patchy, but just in between the two. This kind of texture will help in blending the luminizer easily and evenly on your face. An ideal luminizer should have a creamy and silky texture that you can spread around with ease and stay put on all types of skin, regardless of the texture of your skin.

Quality

When it comes to makeup products, it is never okay for them to cause breakouts or discoloration. If your luminizer is causing harm to the skin then it’s time to change it. Always look for products that are high quality but also light on the pocket without any synthetic materials to avoid any type of reactions.

Some of the best luminizers on the market can still fail to show results because of how poorly they are sometimes used. There are always ways to apply any kind of product on your face and if you ignore those instructions, you will fail to get the desired result.

What Is The Best Way To Apply A Luminizer?

In order to optimize the result, you should know how to apply it. If you’re using liquid luminizers then they work best when you apply them with the help of your finger. The warmth from your skin helps blend the luminizer into your skin, leaving you with an even coverage. Of course, it is messy to have your fingers covered in a shiny glow. However, it can always be cleaned with a makeup wipe. But some people don’t like touching their face, even if their fingers are clean and would rather prefer to use a brush or sponge to apply the luminizer across the high points of their face. There is nothing wrong with using these tools, however, if you ask us, the best result can only be achieved using your fingers as they don’t absorb the product like a sponge does or spread the product everywhere like a brush does.

Like all other cosmetic products, luminizers and highlights also have a shelf-life, after which you should probably get them as far away from your face as possible. Let’s check how long they can last you for and how durable luminizers can be.

How Long Do The Best Luminizers Last?

How long your product lasts depends on how often you use it. If you use a liquid luminizer regularly, you might just run out of it in over a year. But if you use it not so regularly then you will have about two years from the date of manufacturing until the product expires.

If you store your makeup products in a cool and dry place, they can last you for 2 and even 3 years. But it is always better to be safe than sorry so make sure you check the scent of the product for any foul play to ensure that it hasn’t gone bad.

If you’re still not sure whether you should be using a luminizer or not then you have plenty of time to rethink your decision. Whether you want your face to glow like the morning dew or you want it to look as fresh as it can, luminizers and highlighters have been a cult-favourite when it comes to making all your glowing dreams come true. Not only can they be easily blendable but they are also almost always pocket-friendly, radiant and become your skin’s best friend if applied right.

If you still aren’t convinced to get a luminizer for that glowy look then nothing can convince you. Get yourself the best luminizer from your nearest drugstore or stores online to ensure a perfectly glowing and ravishing look that you have always dreamt about.

Where To Apply A Luminizer?

A luminizer isn’t like a foundation, you can’t just put it all over your face and call it a day. It relies heavily on placement. After all, the whole point of using a luminizer is to show off a lifted face with a youthful glow. Here’s everything you need to know about where to apply luminizer.

Cheeks

Always make sure to apply luminizer above your cheekbones to secure that lifted look, never below.

Nose

You can make your nose appear slimmer by highlighting the bridge of your nose. Remember to apply the luminizer straight down the top of your nose and you’re done!

Eyes

You can give the illusion of being more awake by putting some luminizer around the inner corner of your eyes. Trust me, it makes a difference.

Lips

The last place you should focus the luminizer on are your lips. You can achieve the illusion of fuller lips by applying a small amount of luminizer on your cupid’s bow.

FAQs

Are liquid luminizers good?

Luminizers add the sheer glow to your face and illuminate your facial features making them pop. Liquid luminizers also add a dewy look to your overall makeup as it's the last step to your makeup regime.

In what way is a luminizer better than a highlighter?

A luminizer blends with ease while casting more of a general glow, whereas, a highlighter is used at a more concentrated area of light on your face.

Which liquid luminizer is best for fair skin?

Luminizers with pinkish hues, shades of white and gold tones are the ones that look best on fair skin.

bestcovery team.jpg
Our research team searches out the best of everything so that you can confidently pick the perfect products and services for your needs.
Related Content
Go to top