How To Use Cream Highlighter for Radiant Skin in 2025

If you like using Cream Highlighter to bring out your features but find that powder versions are too harsh, you should look into cream versions. You can fake that dewy, sun-kissed vacation look with these smooth, moisturizing products no need to sweat or lay out in the sun.

It might seem pretty easy to use cream highlighter, but there are a few things you need to know to do it right. What you need to know about using cream highlighter is below.

This includes how to put on a highlighter stick and where to put the formula to make your best features stand out. We’ll also show you our pick for the best cream highlighter for the job. Read on to find out everything.

Table of Contents

What is a cream highlighter?

A cream highlighter is a type of makeup that brings out your natural beauty by giving certain parts of your face a bright, glowing look. Cream highlighters are softer, easier to mix, and often give a more natural look than powder ones. They give you a dewy, young-looking look by bouncing light.

Why is radiant skin trending in 2025?

More than ever in 2025, people want their skin to be healthy and glow. As “skinimalist” or natural looks become more popular, people are looking for makeup that makes their skin look better instead of covering it up. Cream highlighters are now a must-have in makeup bags thanks to social media and celebrities who love the “lit-from-within” glow.

Benefits of using a cream highlighter over other types

Natural Finish: Cream highlighters give the face a soft, natural glow because they blend in so smoothly.
Hydration: A lot of creams have chemicals that keep the skin moist, so they can be used on dry skin.
Versatility: It’s easy to use cream highlighters because you can put them on with brushes, tools, or even your fingers.
Buildable Coverage: You can build up the covering, going from a soft glow to a stronger shine.

How to Use Cream Highlighters

If you have dry or older skin, cream highlighters tend to work really well. These formulas tend to melt right into the skin because they contain moisturizing ingredients and have a buttery feel. They are less likely to settle into fine lines or make flaky patches stand out.

What Makes Cream Highlighters Unique?

Cream highlighters stand out because of how they feel and how many ways they can be used. Their creamy texture imitates the natural sheen of the skin, giving you a more natural glow than powders. They are light, easy to build up, and often contain ingredients that moisturize or improve the face. Creams are great for dry or older skin because they don’t settle into lines and leave the skin looking healthy and shiny.

Essential Components of Cream Highlighters

Cream highlighters often contain oils like jojoba or coconut for moisture, emollients like she a butter for a smooth application, and mica for shine.

Numerous formulae are enhanced with skincare advantages, such as vitamin E for antioxidant protection or hyaluronic acid for plumping. These nutritious ingredients support the general health of your skin in addition to improving your radiance.

Skin Types That Benefit Most from Cream Highlighters

The majority of skin types can benefit from cream highlighters, however dry and normal skin types benefit most from them. Their moisturizing properties avoid uneven or flaky application.

Cream highlighters can also be used sparingly by people with oily or mixed skin, and for a longer-lasting effect, they can be set with a translucent powder. Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic formulas are beneficial for sensitive skin types.

Preparing Your Skin

Importance of Prepping Your Skin

To get a perfect glow, you need to prepare your face. Since highlighter reflects light, a base that isn’t level can make flaws stand out more. If you prepare the paper well, the cream highlighter will blend in better and last longer. Skincare is the base of glowing makeup, so it’s important to cleanse, moisturize, and prime your skin properly.

Best Skincare Routine for Highlighting

1. clean your face with a mild wash to get rid of dirt and oil. This will give your makeup a clean base.

Moisturize: Use a light moisturizer to keep your face hydrated and smooth out any dry spots.
Priming: Use a foundation that is made for your skin type. Choose a glowing primer to boost the glow of the highlighter for extra shine.

Choosing the Right Cream Highlighter

Choose a highlighter color that is about two shades lighter than your skin tone. If you have light skin, use colors like lilac, pearl, and silver that have a more cool pink finish. If you have an olive to medium skin tone, peach, gold, and champagne highlighters in warm tones will look better on you.

How to Pick a Shade for Your Skin Tone

Picking the right shade will make sure that the highlighter looks good with your skin tone. If you have light skin, choose pearl or champagne shades. People with medium skin tones look their best in gold or peach colors. People with darker skin tones look their best in bronze or copper colors. To get the best match, always try the product on your face in natural light.

Best Cream Highlighters of 2025

This year, some of the best items are ones that have skincare benefits and glowing finishes. Interesting new cream highlighters for all skin types have been made by brands like Rare Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, and Fenty Beauty. Get makeup that comes in a lot of different shades and can be built up to cover more or less.

How to Apply Cream Highlighter

Smiled woman with blonde hair holding brush with blushes and looking at the mirror while preparing make up at home. Morning procedures concept

Tools You Need: Brushes vs. Fingers

You can use brushes, your fingers, or rags to apply cream highlighters. For precise work, especially on small areas, brushes are best. Fingers, on the other hand, let you mix naturally and smoothly. When you’re adding layers, sponges help spread the product out evenly. Pick the tool based on the look you want.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Put on cream highlighter after you’ve put on foundation and makeup.
Pay attention to high spots like the Cupid’s bow, the bridge of the nose, and the cheekbones.
Use light tapping motions to blend so as not to mess up your base makeup.
Start with a small bit and slowly add more for a natural glow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you use too much makeup, it can make your skin look fake. Badly blending can leave harsh lines, and missing primer may make the color last less long. For a smooth result, always make sure your skin is moist.

Enhancing Your Look with Cream Highlighter

Pairing with Foundation and Concealer

To keep your natural glow, pick a light makeup and stay away from ones that are too matte. To improve your general look without taking away from your foundation and concealer, put on the cream highlighter after them.

Adding Dimension with Contouring

To get a sculpted look, use your cream highlighter with contouring tools together. Draw attention to the parts of your face you want to draw attention to and shape the parts you want to define, like the hollows in your cheeks and chin. Light and shadow work together to give things depth and volume.

Daytime vs. Nighttime Looks

For a fresh look during the day, keep it simple by mixing in a small amount of highlighter. For a more dramatic look at night, layer the product and add shimmer to places like the neck and shoulders to make them look more glamorous.

Long-Lasting Radiance Tips

How to Set Your Highlighter

Set your cream highlighter with a transparent powder or a light dusting of a powder highlighter that goes with it to make it last longer. This step seals in the product and stops it from smudging, which is especially helpful when it’s hot outside.

Keeping Your Glow Fresh All Day

To touch up during the day, bring a travel-sized setting spray or blotting paper with you. Don’t put on too much of the highlighter again to keep the natural look.

Trends in Highlighting for 2025

Minimalist Glow

The simple glow is all about makeup that is almost invisible and has a soft sheen to it. Cream highlighters are very important because they give you a natural glow that goes with the trend of bringing out your natural beauty instead of hiding it.

Monochromatic Makeup

This style has cream highlighters that go with shades for the eyes, lips, and cheeks that match. To make a look that flows well, pick warm, peachy colors or cool, icy colors.

Conclusion

Cream highlighters are now a must-have for 2025 if you want your face to look healthy and glowing. Because they are versatile, easy to use, and good for your face, they are a must-have for any makeup routine. Cream highlighters can give your skin a soft glow or a bright look. They can be used for any occasion.

FAQs

What’s the Best Way to Blend Cream Highlighter?

For smooth blending, use your fingers or a wet sponge. If you warm the product up between your fingers, it will go on more easily.

Can Cream Highlighter Be Used on Oily Skin?

For longer wear, make sure you use a base that makes your skin look matte first and then set the highlighter with powder.

What’s the Difference Between Cream and Powder Highlighters?

Powder highlighters give your skin a stronger glow, while cream highlighters give your skin a dewy, natural look. Pick based on the look you want and the type of skin you have.