Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10.

Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10.

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

      If you've ever been captivated by a celebrity's red carpet image, pondering, "How do they look so radiant?" you've landed in the right place. It's true that stars often have a dedicated team of dermatologists and facialists making sure they showcase an impeccable complexion, and yes, the lighting at these glamorous events is always top-notch, but there's a more accessible—and clever—trick behind their stunning appearances: body highlighter. While it may appear straightforward, celebrity makeup artists agree that this small addition is crucial for enhancing your overall look. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta asserts, "I always say makeup shouldn’t stop at the face." He notes that when the body's skin gleams with the same inner glow as the face, it achieves a cohesive, elevated, and luxurious feel. "It reflects light beautifully, especially in photos and on the red carpet." That's why he ensures his celebrity clients—including Candice Swanepoel, Lila Moss, Victoria Monét, and Alix Earle—never leave without applying some body glow in carefully chosen spots. Charlotte Tilbury also swears by body highlighter as one of her many red carpet secrets. "Body highlighter provides the skin with glossy, ethereal radiance, attracting light to the center of the limbs to enhance dimension at the most flattering points," she explains 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 resemble a serum with a shimmery finish, and some even offer skincare benefits such as sun protection and skin firming. I've tried nearly every product available, so keep scrolling to find the best one suited for your routine and objectives, along with expert tips for achieving a celebrity-level 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 offer a glow without a glittery finish," Ta shares, and his Major Glow Balm certainly meets that criteria. Whether you choose the universal transparent hue (the one I own) or the sun-kissed bronze, you'll achieve a perfect wet-look finish that doesn’t transfer and isn’t too sticky. It's a must-have during spring and summer (when I usually expose more skin), and I appreciate that it comes with a practical applicator brush for a flawless, dewy blend. Customer review: "WOW. I am so impressed with this. I bought it for summer and wore it with bikinis; now I wear it whenever my 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 At 5'1", I may not have the long legs of a runway model, but this illuminating formula can help me create that illusion. Tilbury suggests rolling the applicator down the center of your legs to give them a lengthening effect. "I've utilized it on shows, supermodels for magazine covers, and at red carpet events to make legs appear longer and arms more sculpted. Many celebrities love using it on their legs if wearing shorter dresses, while others adore the smooth, flattering glow it provides to their arms and décolletage," she explains. This deeply hydrating formula also smooths and firms the skin with allantoin, which softens texture, and caffeine, which tightens by constricting blood vessels. As Tilbury notes, "I wish I had this 20 years ago!" Customer review: "This Charlotte Tilbury lotion is fantastic. It slims and brightens my legs as if they've been contoured. It doesn’t streak or turn a funny color. 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 Shades: 5 Key Ingredients: No notable skincare actives

Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10. Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10.

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Makeup artists are unanimous—apply highlighter in these areas, and your glam will be a perfect 1000/10.

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