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While many Western luminizers are designed to sculpt cheekbones or deliver high-impact shine, Korean highlighters take a softer approach, enhancing skin with natural-looking radiance rather than an obvious stripe of shimmer. Much of this philosophy stems from K-beauty ideals like mulgwang skin (translating to a “watery glow”), which describes a deeply hydrated complexion where the glow appears to come from the skin itself. "The focus is heavily on skin care and layering hydration to create a natural, healthy-looking glow," says Christine Oh, a makeup artist based in Toronto.
That's why many Korean highlighters blur the line between makeup and skin care, often incorporating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, and squalane to support a dewy-looking complexion. The result can range from a subtle mulgwang radiance to a more reflective glass-skin glow. Whether you prefer a barely-there sheen or a more luminous finish, ahead are the formulas Korean makeup artists are loving.
Our Top Korean Highlighters
- Best Overall: Clio Prism Highlighter, $26
- Best Blurring: Lilybyred Luv Beam Glow Veil, $16
- Best Shade Range: Fwee Glitz Stone Highlighter, $20
- Best Buildable: Jung Saem Mool Artist Cushion Highlighter, $23
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What makes Korean highlighters different from Western highlighters?
- How should you apply Korean highlighters?
- How do Korean highlighters perform on deeper skin tones?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Clio Prism Highlighter
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Clio
Prism Highlighter
Amazon
Why it's worth it: If you want people complimenting your skin—not your makeup—reach for Clio's Prism Highlighter. "This highlighter gives a beautiful, subtle-to-medium glow that works well for almost everyone," says Oh. Those who prefer a blinding, mirror-like highlight may find it too understated, but for anyone seeking a natural-looking gleam, it's hard to beat. Oh loves that its six shades cater to cool, warm, and neutral undertones. "It creates a glow without looking overly glittery or heavy on the skin," she says.
Pircilla Pae, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, also calls it her "little secret to a soft and radiant glow." She especially loves its texture (calling it “cloud-like”) as well as the sensorial finish enhanced by finely milled powders, moisturizing squalane and glycerin, and hydrolyzed rice protein, which softens and conditions skin. Pae recommends dusting it onto the high points of the face with a small fan brush for a glass-skin effect.
Allure associate social media manager Katie Gunderman applying the Clio Prism Highlighter
Katie Gunderman
Gunderman after applying the Clio Prism Highlighter
Katie Gunderman
Tester feedback from associate social media manager Katie Gunderman
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“The Clio Prism Highlighter delivers the most beautiful iridescent shine. The formula is creamy with super fine shimmer and no chunky glitter, which I love in a highlight, and the smooth powder applies well both with your finger or a brush. These are great to use when you want a slight color reflection, and I love to match them to other elements of my makeup like my eyeliner.” —Katie Gunderman, associate social media manager
More to know
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- Shades: 6
- Formulation: powder
- Key ingredients: mica, squalane, glycerin, hydrolyzed rice protein
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Blurring: Lilybyred Luv Beam Glow Veil
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Lilybyred
Luv Beam Glow Veil
Amazon
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the Lilybyred Luv Beam Glow Veil
Sarah Kinonen
Why it's worth it: We love K-beauty for many reasons, but its irresistibly cute packaging is often what catches our eye. Thankfully, Lilybyred's heart-shaped compact has plenty of substance to back up its charm: Its unique jelly texture lives somewhere between a cream and a powder, gliding into skin for a glow that becomes one with your complexion rather than sitting on top of it. The formula delivers a soft sheen thanks to light-reflecting pearl pigments, synthetic fluorphlogopite (a refined form of mica known for its smooth, non-gritty sheen), and mineral pigments that boost brightness and create a subtle effect as they catch the light. Emollients give it that bouncy, almost cushiony feel, while silicone-based ingredients help blur the look of pores and fine lines.
Kinonen before applying the Lilybyred Luv Beam Glow Veil
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after applying the Lilybyred Luv Beam Glow Veil
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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“If you had asked me how I felt about highlighter 10 years ago, I would have told you that it was my everything. My makeup look simply wasn't complete without a tap or two of the luminous stuff swept across my cheekbones. Nowadays, I typically skip the product altogether and just rely on my liquid blush for the same sort of glow. But then I tried the Lilyred Luv Beam Glow Veil, and this heart-shaped compact may be the reason highlighter makes its way back into my routine. While I normally use cream and liquid base products, there's something about this silky pressed powder that just… works for me. It's super lightweight—but buildable— and comes in six shimmery shades (pinks, peaches, purples, and even pearly iridescent). I've been using the latter, Dreamy Beam, on top of my blush, and the finish is a low-key sheen as opposed to stand-out sparkle. It's so pretty!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Shades: 4
- Formulation: powder
- Key ingredients: mica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, titanium dioxide, tin oxide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Shade Range: Fwee Glitz Stone Highlighter
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Fwee
Glitz Stone Highlighter
Amazon
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Fwee Glitz Stone Highlighter in Merry Aurora
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: If you've never quite figured out whether your undertones lean warm or cool (a quick trick: Gold jewelry tends to flatter warm undertones, while silver often shines on cooler ones), Fwee's Glitz Stone Highlighter offers an entirely different way to choose your shade—just pick your birth month and go. Because the pigments are intentionally sheer and translucent, the shades are surprisingly flexible across a wide range of skin tones. Inspired by the gemstones traditionally associated with each month, the collection spans 12 shades, from March's aquamarine-toned “Marine Baby” to May's emerald-hued “Lucky Clover.” But don't let the more colorful pans throw you off: Each shade delivers prismatic shimmer that shifts in the light, creating a multidimensional glow with just the faintest hint of color. Our tester found the finish slightly more glittery than others on this list, making it a great pick for anyone who prefers a more sparkly highlight.
Lee before applying the Fwee Glitz Stone Highlighter
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Fwee Glitz Stone Highlighter
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I originally gravitated toward Fwee's Glitz Stone Highlighter in Love Quartz since neutral champagne tones are usually more my speed. But while it delivered a pretty sheen, I found it just a touch too subtle for my personal taste. Enter Merry Aurora. I'll admit, I was skeptical—a lavender-toned highlighter sounded like it could look too icy or pale against my skin tone. Instead, just a few taps gave my skin the prettiest multidimensional glow. I already wear a serum foundation that leaves my complexion looking pretty dewy, but this takes things to the next level, adding an almost angelic halo on my cheekbones that catches the light from every angle. Definitely start with a light hand—as it's easy to overdo it.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Shades: 12
- Formulation: powder
- Key ingredients: mica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, calcium titanium borosilicate
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Hince True Dimension Radiance Balm
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Hince
True Dimension Radiance Balm
Amazon
Why it's worth it: Half of Hince’s True Dimension Radiance Balm's eight-shade range—Clear, Light, Dawn Ray, and Gleaming—function as sheer highlighters, while the remaining shades lean rosier, doubling as blushes and lip colors with a subtle sheen. No matter which shade you choose, the balm makes for “a versatile multi-use product that can be used as a complexion luminizer or lip balm," says Oh, noting that the stick highlighter format makes it convenient for touch-ups and on-the-go application. Formulated with squalane and safflower seed oil, which is rich in barrier-supporting linoleic acid, the balm wears like a second skin for light-catching dimension—without visible shimmer or glitter. While Oh recommends it for all skin types, it's especially well-suited for dry, mature, or textured skin, since its hydrating balm formula imparts luminosity without emphasizing fine lines or flakiness.
More to know
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- Shades: 8
- Formulation: balm
- Key ingredients: squalane, safflower seed oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Glint Liquid Gel Highlighter
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Glint
Liquid Gel Highlighter
Amazon
Why it's worth it: If powder highlighters in the past have clung to dry patches, Glint’s Liquid Highlighter offers a more forgiving alternative. "This formula melds beautifully into the skin and creates a natural-looking glow from within," says Oh, who loves mixing it into foundation or applying it lightly to specific areas. “It gives skin a healthy radiance that looks effortless and naturally luminous." The secret lies in its hydrating formula: Multiple forms of hyaluronic acid draw moisture into the skin at different levels, while argan oil (loaded with fatty acids) reduces moisture loss to begin with. It comes in both a pearly pink shade and a clear option, the latter of which adds dimension and glow without altering the tone of your makeup.
More to know
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- Shades: 2 (including clear)
- Formulation: liquid
- Key ingredients: argan oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Buildable: Jung Saem Mool Artist Cushion Highlighter
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Jung Saem Mool
Artist Cushion Highlighter
Amazon
Why it's worth it: The best highlighters give you options: a subtle sheen for everyday wear and a diamond-level glow when the occasion calls for it (though in our book, you never need an excuse). That buildability is exactly where Jung Saem Mool's Artist Cushion Highlighter (ahem) shines. One layer gets you "a very refined glow," says Oh, while a couple more taps dial up the radiance "without disrupting makeup underneath." Reflective pigments like mica, titanium dioxide, and tin oxide create that customizable glow.
Meanwhile, the formula pairs hydrating glycerin and sodium hyaluronate with barrier-supporting ceramides and soothing rose water to keep skin looking fresh and luminous. "Jung Saem Mool's complexion products, like this highlighter, always aim to make skin look as natural as possible," says Oh.
More to know
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- Shades: 2
- Formulation: cream
- Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, ceramides, rose water
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Korean highlighters different from Western highlighters?
The biggest difference between Korean and Western highlighters comes down to their overall approach to glow and pigmentation. "Korean beauty products tend to focus on creating a natural, healthy-looking radiance—more of an 'it's there, but not there' effect," says Oh. Many formulas are also more skin care-focused, featuring ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and hyaluronic acid to enhance the skin's texture and create the smooth, hydrated mulgwang or "glass skin" look K-beauty is known for.
You'll often find unique formats like cushion compact highlighters and balm textures that "blend seamlessly into the skin for a more natural finish," Oh says. By contrast, "many Western highlighters are designed to strongly emphasize and sculpt specific facial features with higher pigmentation and shimmer," sometimes prioritizing intensity, sparkle, and definition, she explains. "Neither approach is better or worse—they simply reflect different beauty philosophies and makeup trends."
How should you apply Korean highlighters?
When applying Korean highlighters, less is often more. "Korean makeup focuses heavily on achieving a natural, subtle glow, so the application is usually much softer and lighter," says Oh. Rather than sweeping on product for maximum shine, she recommends using "a gentle tapping motion with minimal pressure to create a seamless, skin-like radiance." While the techniques used for Western highlighters are similar, Oh notes that they often involve "more pressure, layering, or sweeping motions to build stronger pigmentation and shine," resulting in a more defined highlight.
How do Korean highlighters perform on deeper skin tones?
Korean highlighters can absolutely work beautifully on deeper skin tones—it all comes down to choosing the right shade. “Because many K-beauty highlighters are designed to create a subtle, skin-like glow rather than intense shimmer, selecting a shade that complements your complexion is key,” says Oh. She recommends skipping icy or pale tones in favor of warmer hues like bronze, champagne gold, and rose gold, which tend to look more natural and radiant on deeper complexions without appearing ashy or chalky.
Meet the experts
- Christine Oh, a makeup artist based in Toronto, Canada
- Pircilla Pae, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best Korean highlighters, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
