I was a sophomore in college in 2016, experiencing the heyday of block brows and heavy contouring from the front row. While I thankfully dodged both of those trends, I did fall deep into the clutches of highlighter. Back then, a highlighter was the pièce de résistance of any full-glam makeup look. I’d pull up to my English Lit class looking like a human strobe light, having packed as much Becca Champagne Pop onto my cheekbones as was humanly possible.
Nowadays, however, it seems to have gone the way of Vine and skinny jeans. But with glass skin and achieving that glow-from-within still trending strongly, you’d think highlighter would be, too. So, what gives? Why aren’t we using highlighter like we used to?
I think people likely still associate it with that intense, blinding shimmer, which doesn’t work if your goal is a natural look. What they don’t know, and what I’ve just discovered, is that the highlighter game has since evolved. e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter is beautifully subtle and gives just enough glow without doing too much. It might seem counterintuitive that a powder product could make you look dewy, but I promise, it’s possible and achievable with Halo Glow. It’s so good, Cosmo awarded it a 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award—but if you want my full review, keep scrolling.
Why it won a 2026 Holy Grail Beauty Award:
VersatilityIt can be dusted on gently for a soft look or built up for a more blinding finish. It also comes in five shades for every skin tone.ValueIt’s less than $10 and available at Ulta and on Amazon.DurabilityThe compact feels sturdy, but is still small enough to throw in a makeup bag.About my skin:
As I near 30, navigating my skin’s ever-changing needs has been a journey. Things that used to be nbd are now all I worry about (where did these forehead wrinkles come from??). For this reason, I use a LOT of moisturizing products in my skin prep, which can leave my face very shiny and a little sticky. My foundation, bronzer, and blush are all cream products. By the end of my routine, I need powder, or my face will completely melt off before I even get to work. However, the powder totally obliterates my glow, which is when highlighter becomes a necessity.
My review:
Upon first impression, I love the pocket-sized pink compact. It’s very girly and chic, especially for the $9 value. There’s a good bit of product (.15oz), so it’ll likely take me a looooong time to hit pan. The texture of the powder is very soft; some powder highlighters can be grainy to the touch, but this one is called “silky” for a reason.
As I applied it to my cheeks, I immediately noticed Halo Glow is buildable and forgiving. If you’re new to makeup (or don’t want to lean too far into the 2016 full-glam beat), then look no further. You won’t have a big shiny streak on your cheek; you’ll just glow. It also doesn’t enhance any skin texture, thanks to how incredibly lightweight it is. Because of this, the product definitely has a more lowkey glow. If you’re here for an intense highlight, then this may not be the product for you.
It’s easy to apply with just finger or with a fluffy brush. I can be lazy when it comes to makeup application, so it’s important to me that highlighters can be applied with my finger. This one works equally well with either. If I use too much, it can get a teensy bit powdery on my cheeks, but it’s easy to dust this away or spritz myself with a setting spray to take away the powdery finish.
Jayne Lemire for Cosmopolitan
I can’t tell you how many highlighters I’ve tested that have only one or two shades. This one, however, comes in five different hues for a wide breadth of skin tones and preferences. My personal faves are Soft Pearl Era (a pearly white) and Blush Money (a rose gold).
Of course, we can’t talk about E.l.f. without bringing up the obvious: the affordable price. Listen, I’m no stranger to expensive makeup products, but $9 for a highlighter that’s going to last me months is such a steal. And they manage to get this incredible price all while being vegan and cruelty-free, a major pro for me.
That considered, it’s surprising how sturdy this small compact is, which I love for throwing into my purse or work bag for on-the-go touchups. It’s important to have an arsenal of tools with which to combat office air (iykyk).
Final thoughts:
Overall, e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter is genuinely a Goldilocks product for me. It boosts my shine without being too dramatic, it can be applied anywhere and anyhow, and it’s oh-so-affordable. I think it’s finally time to retire my highlighters of old and embrace a new, glowier future.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jayne Lemire is a contributing beauty writer at Cosmopolitan. She has experience writing about a range of beauty topics, including makeup and fragrance.
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Jayne Lemire is an executive assistant at Hearst Magazines. Prior to her work at Hearst, she was in book publishing and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science. When she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her spending hours in TJ Maxx without buying anything or creating her 400th Spotify playlist.