The best highlighters you can buy right now

We're yet to meet anyone who didn't want their skin to look dewy and glowy – which is what makes a highlighter a beauty bag essential.

The best highlighters, applied in the right places, will deliver the kind of radiance and warmth that comes when skin is bathed in sunlight or candlelight. To start, apply highlighter on the high points of the face (think: cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, brow bones, Cupid's bow) for instant lift and a gorgeous gleam. Then think about other spots that makeup experts never skip, like the inner corners of the eyes and on the centre of each eyelid, to brighten the whole eye area (what dark circles?) and make your entire face look more alive.

When it comes to formulas, we've found it's best to have a range of each on hand for different looks and occasions, from melt-into-skin creams that look natural during the day and mix-into-your-moisturiser-or-foundation liquid drops for an all-over glow, to a last-all-night powder for date nights. As for finishes? Well, that depends on how glowy you want to go: are you here for a subtle sheen or a holographic, you-can-spot-that-from-space shine?

Here's your guide to the best products for lit skin.