Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10.

Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10.

      (Image credit: Kevin Mazur/MG26/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Arnold Jerocki/GC Images; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

      If you've ever marveled at a celebrity’s red carpet photo and wondered, "How do they look so radiant?" you're in the right spot. Sure, celebrities usually have teams of dermatologists and facialists to help them achieve a flawless complexion, and the lighting at these glam events is top-notch, but there’s another, more attainable reason their appearance is nothing short of stunning: body highlighter. It might sound straightforward, but according to celebrity makeup artists, this little trick is essential for enhancing your overall look. "I always say makeup shouldn’t end at the face," says celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta. "When the skin on the body radiates with the same glow as the face, it creates a cohesive, elevated, and luxurious feel. It reflects light beautifully, especially in photos and on the red carpet." That’s why he insists on applying body glow to his celebrity clients—such as Candice Swanepoel, Lila Moss, Victoria Monét, and Alix Earle—before they step out. Charlotte Tilbury shares this sentiment and has regarded body highlighter as a secret weapon for red carpet appearances for years. "Body highlighter envelops the skin in a glossy, ethereal glow, highlighting the central parts of the limbs to add dimension in flattering areas," the renowned artist reveals to Who What Wear. "It gives the skin a healthy, luminous appearance and creates the illusion of a more sculpted silhouette for that supermodel effect." Three words: Count me in.

      (Image credit: Arnold Jerocki/GC Images; Getty Images) Body highlighters come in various forms. Some are thick and balmy, while others are serum-like and shimmery, and some even offer skincare benefits like sun protection and skin-firming properties. I’ve tried nearly every option available, so keep scrolling to find the best fit for your routine and objectives, along with expert application tips for achieving a celebrity-worthy glow.

      The Best Body Highlighters, at a Glance:

      Best Balm: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm

      Best Sculpting: Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Highlighter

      Best Bronzing: Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer

      Best Lotion: Body Gloss Ultra-Rich Body Lotion

      Best Stick: Dibs Beauty Status Stick Face-and-Body Highlighter

      The 8 Best Body Highlighters of 2026

      Best Balm: Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm

      Patrick Ta

      Major Glow Balm

      Shades: 2

      Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, shea butter esters, rice bran emollients

      Scented: No

      "I prefer body products that provide glow without looking glittery," Ta notes, and his Major Glow Balm fits that description perfectly. Whether you choose the universal transparent shade (the one I have) or the sun-kissed bronze, you’ll achieve a flawless wet-look finish that doesn’t transfer or feel overly sticky. It’s a staple for me during spring and summer when I tend to expose more skin, and I appreciate that it includes a convenient applicator brush for a smooth, dewy application. Customer review: "WOW. I'm incredibly impressed with this. I bought it for summer to wear with bikinis, and now I use it anytime any skin shows. It's absolutely stunning."

      Best Sculpting: Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Highlighter

      Charlotte Tilbury

      Supermodel Body Highlighter

      Shades: N/A

      Key Ingredients: Wild pansy extract, vitamin C, vitamin E, rose-hip oil, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera extract, allantoin

      Scented: No

      Despite my 5'1" stature, I can create the illusion of elongated limbs with this illuminating formula. A pro tip from Tilbury: Roll the applicator down the center of your legs to enhance their length. "I’ve used it for shows, on supermodels for magazine covers, and for red carpet events to give the impression of longer legs and more sculpted arms. Some celebrities wear it on their legs with shorter dresses, and many love the smooth, flattering glow it provides for their arms and décolletage," she explains. Plus, this deeply hydrating formula helps firm the skin with allantoin, which softens texture, and caffeine, which tightens blood vessels for an immediate effect. Take it from Tilbury: "I wish I had this 20 years ago!" Customer review: "This Charlotte Tilbury lotion is fantastic. It slims and brightens your legs as if they have been contoured. It doesn't streak or discolor them. I'm hooked and will use this next summer as my go-to leg cream!"

      Best Bronzing: Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer

      FENTY BEAUTY

      Body Lava Body Luminizer

      Sh

Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10. Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10.

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Makeup artists are in agreement—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will achieve a perfect score of 1000 out of 10.

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