The Beauty Diary by Rebekah Scanlan: Best products to give you that glow

This bargain item is sold in a place you’d never think to look — but don’t be fooled by it’s budget price tag. It’s well worth the hunt.

Just like choosing an outfit in the morning, I tend to ask myself each day when I wake up what vibe I’m going for with my make-up.

It’s not a glamorous moment and usually involves me standing in front of my mirror, sleep gunk still in my eyes and barely conscious. But the question is super important, “How big do you want to glow?”

No, that isn’t a typo. I’m talking about my favourite make-up item, one that can literally fix everything (even tiredness), with the delicate sweep of a brush — highlighter.

This item is a beauty must-have in my eyes, its like applying an instant real-life filter, one that brings glow to my dull, tired face.

From baked shimmer bricks that make a statement to liquid drops that give skin a fresh luminous, I’ve shared my must-have highlighters — and there’s one you’ve definitely never heard of.

MARC JACOBS DEW DROPS COCONUT GEL HIGHLIGHTER

Marc Jacobs highlighter drops make your skin look and smell like a dewy dream. Picture: Supplied/Sephora

Available at Sephora

Price: $64

This liquid illuminator is perfect for days when you’re after a natural dewiness, but doubles up for those days you’re feeling serious about your glow.

For a natural look, I like to mix in a few drops with my moisturiser, giving my whole face a stunning sheen that effortlessly catches the light. You can do the same with foundation too.

This product builds up beautifully if you want even more dazzle. I like to blend it onto my cheek bones and around my brow bones with my fingers. Its gel formula is really lightweight and because it’s infused with coconut, smells delicious. But the pigment is its standout feature, which has a metallic sheen to it. Marc Jacobs has made this in two stunning shades, Dew You, which is a lighter hue, and Tantalize which is a deeper tone.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY GLOWGASM FACE PALETTE

Everything about this highlighter palette is an instant mood booster. Picture: Supplied/

Available at

Price: $120

When I’m feeling the shimmer, this is my go-to — usually applied on top of a foundation or moisturiser that I’ve already glowed up with a liquid illuminator first.

There are four different products in the palette, and I love them all. The illuminator is perfect for defining features while the pop blush gives a glittery rose tint to cheeks. There’s also a bronzer and a multi-glow, meaning all of your highlighter needs are seen to in one place.

As with all Charlotte Tilbury products, it’s on the expensive side — but it’s an all-rounder that can be taken up another level by using a wet brush. The packaging is seriously beautiful too with a huge mirror that’s super handy. You’ll be whipping this stunner out all over the place.

ILIA LIQUID LIGHT SERUM HIGHLIGHTER

Ilia’s liquid light literally melts into the skin and has built in protectants too. Picture: Supplied/Mecca

Available at Mecca

Price: $64

If you’re looking for something that makes your skin radiate and also give you protection, this is the highlighter for you. The gel-based formula has built in UV and pollution protection, meaning you have the perfect excuse to rub this all over your face.

It also delivers on its comparison light in a bottle, creating huge bounce off the skin in bright sunshine and even dim office lights. I love the soft metallic sheen it gives skin, perfect for accentuating cheek bones and contouring and it also scores a big tick how easily it melts when applied direct to skin.

MCO BEAUTY HIGHLIGHT & GLOW STICK

MCo Beauty’s Highlight & Glowstick is so easy to apply. Picture: Supplied/Woolworths

Available at Woolworths and mcobeauty.com.au

Price: $14

If you’re sick of me banging on about this brand, I’m sorry but it is just so good. MCo Beauty has a steady rotation in my make-up bag and I often choose it over some of my more expensive highlighters. Mostly I use this on days when I want a more natural look, it’s so easy to use, a bit like a crayon that you just draw on where you need it.

Then blend it in with your fingers. It’s honestly a saviour when I’m time poor, reviving my tired skin and giving me life again. Best of all, there’s four shades meaning this vegan, cruelty free brand have catered for every skin tone.

BOOHOO BAKED HIGHLIGHTER

For just $5, you’ll be very happy with this everyday highlighter. Picture: Supplied/boohoo.com

Available at boohoo.com

Price: $5

Hands up who knew Boohoo did make-up? Not only that, but just like the online store’s clobber it’s also super cheap. But don’t be fooled by this item’s bargain price tag, you’re going to love this bronzed highlighter compact. The shade it’s super pigmented and looks really pretty on the skin, especially when applied to the apple of the cheek.

The biggest plus point for me is that it’s super long lasting and isn’t as bold as some other. In fact, it initially goes on very subtly, adding a lovely shimmer to the skin. But you develop the depth of the highlight the more you add, using it to emphasise your features too. This is perfect for everyday use.

FENTY BEAUTY KILLAWATT FREESTYLE HIGHLIGHTER DUO

Rihanna’s duo highlighter compact is killer. Picture: Supplied/Sephora

Available at Sephora

Price: $54

We can’t talk highlighters and not mention Rihanna’s killer duo compact. The formula is a cream-powder hybrid and comes in a huge shade range from subtle day glow to supercharged glitter that’ll have you looking like a delicious disco ball.

As well as using them traditionally on cheekbones and temples, I like dipping an eyeshadow brush into mine and applying it to the inside corner of my eye. This product is so pigmented, it can be used in a multitude of ways and looks really pretty on the eyes.

It’s easy to take it too far with Fenty’s highlighter, but don’t panic if that happens, just take a brush and powder foundation and lightly tap over the area until you’re happy.

This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.

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