Remember in the mid-Noughties, when shiny skin used to be met by the concerned shrill of ‘have you tried er... blotting paper, Dream Matte Mouse and not running for the bus every morning, hun!’? Now - as seen on everyone from the Hadid sisters to Frankie Gaff - shiny skin is the most coveted trend in the biz.
The sorta ‘shiny skin’ thats in looks like you are thriving off a diet of kale, smoked salmon and roughly chopped mint leaves. It's the type of skin that is regularly slathered in a night cream and vats of Egyptian magic. The more light that radiates off your face, the better quite frankly. More-is-more! You basically want your cheekbones to be seen from Jupiter. The aim is to wear so much highlighter you're blinding. Therefore, I tested all the top rated highlighters, to see which is A) the best B) the brightest C) looks the most babein’ in a beauty bag.
Here are the results...
1. Benefit, Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter Stick, £25.50
I was excited to try this as Benefit's highlighters are legendary in the beauty world. Girl Meets Pearl is a pinky gold liquid which you can either wear alone or over make-up. It gave me a grown-up sheen that looked very natural, dahling. It wasn't very bright, though. A great option if you love subtlety, shopping at Cos and wearing different hues of beige.
How many compliments did it get?
A big fat zero
Shine factor?
It looked like I had played tennis in my lunch break, but not a scratch on 'Kylie Jenner's prom dazzle'.
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
Pah.
2. Charlotte Tilbury, Bar Of Gold Highlighter, £32
'Corrr, I have hit the jackpot! Can we just take five seconds to discuss the packaging?! It is mesmerisingly cool and something I want to Instagram story' pronto.
On to the actual product, this highlighter is bright with a rich pigment. The golden tones would look sensational with tanned skin and it even doubles up as an eyeshadow. Thank the lord for Miss Tilbury.
How many compliments?
Two. My manager said ‘your make-up looks nice today, keep doing what you’re doing’, which was sweet.
Shine factor?
Brighter than Harper Beckham’s future. 4.5/5
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
Probably. Serves her right for being slow with your expenses form.
3. E.L.F., Studio Baked Highlighter, £5
The E.L.F. highlighter packaging is a little more understated. Not that I am judging, of course. I will welcome any highlighter into my makeup bag, providing it makes me shine brighter than Chris Hughes at the Love Island after party. However, I was left feeling disappointed after using this because it was more glittery than shiny. Unfortunately, I no longer go to many school discos, just a lot of 11 am meetings with balding men in suits. You win some, you lose some.
How many compliments?
None
Shine factor?
Glittery 10/10 mate. Shine? Err....
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
Our Julie would just tell you to grow up before tactically leaving a Clarins brochure on your desk.
4. MUA, Highlighting powder, £5
Again, I don't want to discriminate against the more 'purse-friendly' highlighters, but this looked so bad on my cheekbones I couldn't even wear it for the whole day. Nuh huh honey. Get this god awful powder away from my face, please! Maybe I got the wrong colour, but this was like putting on Avon Bronzing balls (I used to be a fan when I was 15) all over my cheeks. I looked like that Gemma Collins meme.
How many compliments?
None
Shine factor?
HA.
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
No, but she would giggle a bit.
5. NARS, Illuminator in Orgasm, £23
This highlighter shade is aptly named 'Orgasm' as it claims to mock the post-coittal flush. Who needs a boyfriend, when you have Nars! This shimmery pinky gold shade is honestly sensational. So much so, I'd probably bathe in it and fashion myself as a tropical mermaid. (But it's £23 and I'm 23 years-old.)
How many compliments?
One. My pal said I looked really radiant.
Shine factor?
It's pretty iridescent. However, it could be seen from the person opposite me on the tube, not from...err space.
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
Julie from Accounts would definitely think I had a new boyfriend and would wink at me in the kitchen.
6. Topshop, Glow Pot, £10
OH HEYYYYYYY. Stop what you're doing, I have found the highlighter of dreams. You can control the coverage (f**k your squeezy bottle, Nars) and is brighter than Jamie Laing's hair after a week in the Spanish sun.
How many compliments?
The whole table at work drinks said my highlight, 'could blind a bitch'. No, really.
Shine factor?
SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND.
Could it blind Julie from Accounts?
Yes, so be careful!
Verdict?
Topshop wins.
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Follow Aimee on Twitter @aimeejakes or on Instagram @a1meejakes
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.