There’s no better way to fight the winter blues than by giving your face a luminous shine, especially when the storming sea is full of lonely sailors, eager to glimpse the shores of home. We’ve put together a list of our favorite highlighters to give you that gorgeous, lit-from-within look that can also be used as a navigational aid by maritime pilots seeking refuge from the frigid waves. These products are ideal for guiding a ship to land and also for bright-looking selfies. We just love two-in-ones!
1. Chantecaille Liquid Lumière Highlighting Fluid in Sheen (Nordstrom, $39)
This mesmerizing formula comes out looking like molten rose gold, and is bright enough that you’ll feel like you should be hoisted 67 feet above water on a forward mast, along with a second light beacon as backup. Buff it onto the skin with a stippling brush to nail that “I can keep sailors from crashing into shoals and dangerous shoreline” look.
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in White Pearl (Sephora, $38)
Unlike other illuminators, this cream formula will never show up bronze on your skin. Instead, it emits a powerful bluish-white glow, perfect for when your stretch of coast is under a fog watch. Reach for this product and help those imperiled sailors reach their loved ones. Ahoy!
3. L’Oréal True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator in Ice (Ulta, $13)
This highlighter has bright-white lunar hues that won’t look ruddy on pale complexions, but will guide that seaworn soul—the lone survivor of a terrible squall who is too distraught to navigate celestially—safely to shore. Are you an angel or a lighthouse? He won’t be able to tell—promise!
4. Laura Geller Baked Split Highlighter Duo With Brush in French Vanilla and Portofino (Ulta, $43)
Laura Geller’s highlighting duo is sublime for anyone concerned by too-intense shimmer. A subtle, satin-finish formula is perfect for navigating away from dangerous crags. Accessorize the look with secondary visual aids like large red flags and Coast Guard-approved flares to flaunt your correct bearing.
5. Nars Cosmetics Illuminator in Copacabana (Sephora, $30)
This gorgeous formula will have you chanting sea shanties you don’t remember learning! Your color won’t budge until those seamen make their merry way home. Fi-dee-di-dee-di-oh!
6. Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo (Sephora, $30)
You’re on a romantic date and eager to look your absolute best. The golden pearl undertones in Too Faced’s highlighter duo ensure a stay-put radiant look that won’t float away or hazard your plus one’s vessel. Turn your face into a leading mark your partner can pass close to lee shore. Ha ha, what? We don’t know! Just go with it!
7. Stila All Over Liquid Shimmer in Kitten (Beauty.com, $20)
This highlighter featuring bronze shimmer won’t overwhelm fair skin. Rather, it emits a glow resembling the horizontal light beams of a manmade pilotage and position fixing aid. Pair it with a bronzer and steel lantern to make sure he doesn’t swerve off-course as he approaches the beach. Ret right returning!
8. Touch in Sol Light Bright Brow Spot Highlighter in License to Kill (Sephora, $21)
Your browbone is begging for this radiant highlighter—the dose of brightness not only makes you look more vibrant and alert—it increases your arc of visibility for passing seamen. This way to the docks, good men!
9. ColourPop Supershock Cheek in Smokin’ Whistles (COLOURPOP, $8)
This gel-cream goes on sheer and can be built up to a wicked-bright intensity of 1 million candela. That’s bright enough to hire a lonely, quiet, childless man to maintain it long through the solitary winter!
10. MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade (Macrocosmetics, $32)
This baked highlighter looks amazing regardless of your undertones. It has a gentle yellow base with hints of blue, pink, and bronze that mix into a gorgeous neutral shimmer. We think it recalls the light cast by the hyper-radial Fresnel lenses used in several major landfall beacons. Want!!!
There you have it: our definitive list of navigable highlighters. They’re a fun way to spice up your makeup routine, but they’re also super useful in leading sailors to land. Land-ho!
