The second installment of my Ultimate Guide to Animal-Friendly Highlighters takes an in depth look at 24 of the best vegan and cruelty free pressed powder highlighters. This category also contains plenty of options to choose from for all textures, shades and prices. And, as always, please comment below with your favorites!
- "Ice Cold" Skin Frost, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, $29. The whitest and most blinding highlighter of the bunch, Jeffree Star's "Ice Cold" is perfect for those with very pale skin, and also works beautifully to mix together with other highlighters for a custom lightened glow. It is insanely pigmented and buttery, so a little goes a very long way. Another major plus is the gorgeous pink packaging which houses a whopping 15G of product as well as a giant mirror, so you can completely coat yourself in it and still have plenty more to go around! So far there are 7 other colors (and counting) from gold to green and even blue, all of them vegan. I have also swatched the shade "Lavender Snow" further down in the post.
- "Ritualistic" Illuminator, NYX, $9. This looks very white in the pan but has a subtle gold tone to it which is absolutely stunning! The compact is nothing fancy but is very sturdy and contains a good mirror. There are 4 darker shades in the line (I have swatched "Narcissistic" further down in the post).
- "Angel" Glow, Nabla, $15. Described as a "light champagne with a subtle copper and pink iridescence", this has such a beautiful and unique reflect. It is available in a luxe magnetic compact as well as a refill pan which can be inserted into a custom magnetic palette. It comes in 2 darker colors, "Baby Glow" and "Jasmine", in addition to several contour and blush shades, all vegan.
- "Moonlight Pearls" Baked Highlighter, e.l.f., $3. At just $3, this is a beautiful champagne shade with a neutral reflect. It comes in 2 other shades, "Pink Diamonds" and "Blush Gems", which are both swatched further down in the post.
- "Highlight 01" Matte Radiance Baked Powder, Laura Mercier, $40. Although I would not describe this powder as "Matte", it is an absolutely stunning buttery champagne highlight with pinky undertones in a luxurious compact.
- "Sin" Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter, Urban Decay, $26. This is such a pretty finely milled and reflective champagne highlight with neutral undertones. Note that the other 2 shades are not vegan as they contain carmine.
- "Mary-Lou" Manizer Highlighter, Shadow & Shimmer, theBalm Cosmetics, $24. A cult classic fave, it is a blindingly beautiful "honey-hued" champagne gold. Out of all of the many highlighters, I find I reach for this one the most. Note that the other 2 shades are not vegan as they contain carmine.
- "Moonstone" Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, BECCA, $38. Another hyped cult favorite, this is a buttery and gorgeous pale gold highlight, slightly more golden than "Mary-Lou". I know the slightly darker golden shade "Opal" is vegan as well, but not all shades are vegan as some contain carmine.
- "Pro Illuminate", Makeup Revolution, $7. I am amazed that I haven't heard anyone talk about this one because it is such an amazing buttery golden champagne highlight on par with luxury expensive alternatives.
- "Rodeo Drive" Highlighter, OFRA, $35. This has a beautiful pinky golden duochrome effect that is universally flattering. It is meant to mimic the "beaming sun rays" in both its gorgeous design as well as on the high points of your face. OFRA has many amazing vegan options including several highlighters. I have also swatched the pinky shade "You Glow Girl" further down in the post.
- "Reserve Your Cabana" Coloricon Bronzer, Wet n Wild, $4. This is a very finely milled smooth and creamy powder which provides a lovely subtle glow rather than shimmer, and it is so affordable! It can even be used as an all-over brightening setting powder. I discovered this shade thanks to the lovely Tashina from Logical Harmony.
- "Golden Lotus" Highlighting Powder, Pacifica, $18. Similar to "Reserve Your Cabana", this provides a very subtle glow, yet it is darker and more golden. It is lovely used all over the face as well as for a brightening eyeshadow.
- "be my highlight" Pure Nude Highlighter, essence, $4. This is a highly pigmented darker natural shade which gives off a gorgeous luminescence to the skin. I am surprised I have not heard more about this one as it is such a lovely and affordable highlight.
- "Narcissistic" Illuminator, NYX, $9. Described as a "champagne with gold sheen", this has a very strong peach tone which looks even darker in the pan.
- "Blush Gems" Baked Highlighter, e.l.f., $3. This is a bronzey peach shade with a lovely golden reflect in it. I think this would be gorgeous on medium and olive skin tones.
- "Bronze" Face Glow, Girlaktik, $25. Perfect for darker skin tones, this is a gorgeous velvety golden bronze. It comes in 2 other colors; I have swatched the pinky shade "Lustre" further down in the post.
- "Incandescent" Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder, Hourglass, $22. Now on to the pinky shades! At first when I swatched this I thought this was no good as it was not very pigmented or shimmery. Then I realized that it is perfect for a subtle brightening all-over glow, and has quickly become one of my everyday faves for dusting all over my face to make me look awake before I step out the door. This is also available in a palette with 2 other vegan shades.
- "Glow All Out" Highlighting Powder, Soap & Glory, $15. This is a pinker powder with a subtle brightening sheen, meant for an all-over glow or over blush for paler skin tones.
- Fruit Pigmented Luminizer, 100% Pure, $35. This is described as a "Pink Champagne Luminescent Face Powder" for a "luminous, glowing complexion. On me it works beautifully over blush and would be a lovely highlight on darker skin tones. It is also made with natural ingredients, so I would definitely recommend this one for those with sensitive skin.
- "You Glow Girl" Highlighter, OFRA, $25. Created in collaboration with dupethat, this is a strikingly pigmented and buttery pink highlight with just enough shimmer. It also comes in a golden peachy shade "You Dew You".
- "Lustre" Face Glow, Girlaktik, $25. Somewhat similar to "You Glow Girl" this is even pinker and more blingy, yet can be sheered out for a more subtle effect. As with the "Bronze" shade it has a really nice velvety texture.
- "Pink Diamonds" Baked Highlighter, e.l.f., $3. This is a very bright unique true pink shade. It is very reflective and can be built from subtle to full impact.
- "Peach Lights" Vivid Baked Highlighter, Makeup Revolution, $6. Though I would not describe this shade as "Peach", it has a super unique lavender pink shimmer which is very much on trend right now. At first I found this one to be a bit chalky, but after using it a few times it has become very soft. This comes in 2 other shades as well.
- "Lavender Snow" Skin Frost, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, $29. Last but certainly not least, I have fallen head over heels in love with this silvery lavender highlight from Jeffree Star. It is striking layered over the Milk Holographic Stick as well as with the purple shades in the Moonchild Glow Kit. As with "Ice Cold", the texture and pigmentation are amazing and a little bit goes a long way. I also love to use this one as a pop of metallic splendor all over my eyelids.