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

Makeup artists concur—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 admired a celebrity's red carpet picture and thought, "How do they achieve that glowing look?" you're in the right place. While it's true that stars often have a whole team of dermatologists and facialists to help them maintain a flawless complexion, and the lighting at these glamorous events is top-notch, there's a clever—and much more accessible—reason their glam looks absolutely stunning: body highlighter.

      Though it may appear straightforward, celebrity makeup artists swear by this little trick as essential for enhancing your overall appearance. "I always say makeup shouldn’t be limited to the face," insists celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta. "When the skin on the body radiates the same inner glow as the face, the entire look feels more unified, upscale, and luxurious. It beautifully reflects light, especially in photos and on the red carpet." This is why he always applies body glow to his celebrity clients—like Candice Swanepoel, Lila Moss, Victoria Monét, and Alix Earle—using precise techniques. Charlotte Tilbury shares this belief, having considered body highlighter one of her red carpet secrets for many years. "Body highlighter enhances the skin's appearance with a glossy, ethereal shine, highlighting the center of limbs for added dimension in flattering areas," she tells Who What Wear. "It makes the skin look healthy and radiant and creates the illusion of a more sculpted silhouette for that supermodel look." Three words: I’m all in.

      (Image credit: Arnold Jerocki/GC Images; Getty Images) Body highlighters come in various forms. Some are thick and balmy, while others are more serum-like and shimmery, with some even offering complexion benefits like sun protection and skin-firming properties. I've tried nearly every option available, so keep scrolling to find the best one for your routine and goals, along with expert application tips for achieving that 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 a glow without a glittery finish," says Ta, and his Major Glow Balm certainly meets that criteria. Whether you choose the universal transparent shade (which I have) or the sun-kissed bronze, you'll achieve a perfect wet-look finish that doesn't transfer or feel tacky. It's a staple for me in the spring and summer (when I'm usually exposing more skin), and I appreciate the handy applicator brush that ensures a smooth, dewy application. Customer review: "WOW. I am so impressed with this. I bought it for summer and have been wearing it with bikinis, but now I wear it every time a little skin is showing. Sooo beautiful."

      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 lack the elongated legs of a runway model, but this illuminating formula helps create the illusion of lean limbs. A pro tip from Tilbury: Roll the applicator down the center of your legs for an elongated look. "I’ve used it across shows, for supermodels on magazine covers, and at red carpet events to give the appearance of longer legs and more sculpted arms. Some celebrities love using it on their legs when wearing shorter dresses, while others adore its smooth, flattering glow on their arms and décolletage," she explains. Additionally, this deeply hydrating formula firms and smooths the skin thanks to allantoin, which softens texture, and caffeine, known for its tightening properties. According to Tilbury, "It would have made my life way easier if I had this 20 years ago!" Customer review: "This Charlotte Tilbury lotion is fantastic. It slims and illuminates your legs as if they were contoured. It doesn’t streak or change color. I’m hooked and will use it next summer as my go-to leg cream!"

      Best Bronzing: Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body L

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

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

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