Since we’re getting into the hot summer months you’ll probably be on the lookout for a lightweight everyday highlight routine and nothing screams lightweight more than a cruelty-free highlighter. When you make the switch to a cruelty-free lifestyle, then you need the best cruelty-free beauty products that you can find. A cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle thus requires a cruelty-free highlighter. This is why today we’ll be sharing with you some of the best cruelty-free highlighter alternatives currently on the market.
The right highlighter and propper application can enhance your complexion and give skin a brighter, dewy glow as well as make cheekbones look more prominent. With more people demanding animal-friendly products, brands have done their part in producing formulas that will still give you perfect makeup but not at the expense of our furry friends.
Sometimes finding the right cruelty-free ingredients may sound quite confusing, and quite frankly a daunting task. The good news is there are many options available so there’s no need to obtain your body wash from brands that test on animals. With the best cruelty-free highlighter you can have peace of mind every single day during your cruelty-free makeup routine. And to save you some time, we’ve come up with some of the best cruelty-free brands currently available.
Cruelty-Free Highlighter FAQs
Are highlighters cruelty-free?
Unfortunately, highlighters from some brands are tested on animals or contain ingredients derived from animals. Thankfully, you can still glow compassionately with one of these vegan and cruelty-free highlighters.
Are highlighters vegan?
Highlighters can be vegan but some are not. The typical ingredients that make a highlighter non-vegan are animal-derived squalene, carmine, and lanoline.
What highlighter brands are vegan?
100% vegan highlighter brands include KVD Beauty, Cover FX, E.l.f, and Hourglass.
Which is better liquid highlighter or powder highlighter?
So, if you are looking for a highlighter that makes your skin glow from within, you should go for a liquid highlighter. If you want to add more of a dramatic glow effect, you should go for a powdered one, whereas for a subtle look, try adding a cream highlighter to your list.
Do you apply liquid highlighter before or after powder?
Start by applying a liquid highlighter on your cheekbones, down your nose, and on your Cupid’s bow. One to two drops is all you’ll need for this, and blend it out with your fingers or use a stippling brush. Next, lightly apply a powder highlight on top with a fan brush for a soft touch.
How do I choose a highlighter?
Generally, you’ll want to pick up a highlighter shade that’s about two shades lighter than your skin tone for a natural-looking finish. You can also find the perfect highlighter for your complexion by relying on your undertones (you know, that secondary tone under your skin tone).
What is the difference between a highlighter and an illuminator?
- It’s quite common for people to believe that illuminators and highlighters are the same things. The truth is, while they are similar in that they both create a glowy look, there are key differences that set them apart. For instance, a highlighter is only meant to be used on certain points of your face to draw in light and emphasize your bone structure. Highlighters are also typically more pigmented, which works in your favor to achieve a bolder look.
- On the other hand, an illuminator can be used to give your entire face a luminous glow instead of only focusing on certain areas. Known as a softer option than regular highlighters, illuminators help to really bring out a glow from the inside out. Typically, you can apply illuminators to skin solo, mix with foundation, or apply over foundation to give skin a desirable glow.
Cruelty-Free Highlighter Options
Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter
This highlighter fuses ultrafine pearl pigments with liquid to create an ultra-buttery texture. Its creamy formula blends and builds seamlessly without ever looking glittery or chalky.
Pure light is reflected from every angle to leave you with your most gorgeously natural glow. Begin by applying the product to an angled highlighter or fluffy brush. Sweep onto the high points of your face, creating a ‘C’ shape as you move up toward the temple and brow bone.
Build where more glow is desired, such as your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and chin. Repeat until you reach your desired effect.
Features:
- Paraben-Free
- Sulfate-Free
- Cruelty-Free
Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder HOURGLASS
A powder designed to sculpt the face with light, creating depth and dimension for a refined, natural highlight.
It’s formulated with a sheer base that contains concentrated, ultra-fine micro pearl particles in varying sizes and refraction levels to give off a naturally luminescent highlight to the skin without a heavy metallic finish.
Photoluminescent Technology captures, diffuses, F, and softens surrounding light to refine the appearance of the skin. It can be used wet or dry for varying levels of intensity, from an everyday, wearable strobe highlight to a dramatic evening strobe highlight.
Features:
- Cruelty-Free
- All Skin Types
rms beauty Living Luminizer Highlighter
An award-winning cream luminizer that awakens the skin with the ultimate light-reflective, dewy glow for a subtle, luminous look that is lit from within.
This first-of-its-kind, cream luminizer highlights your favorite features with a delicate and natural glow without grease or glitter. It is formulated with skin-loving ingredients that nourish as they illuminate for a lit-from-within glow.
Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances. This product is also cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.
Features:
- Vitamin E
- Gluten-Free
- Cruelty-Free
LAWLESS Lucid Skin Highlighter
This talc- and aluminum-free, golden-champagne highlighter gives an intense, warm glow that flatters all skin tones. It glides seamlessly over skin without accentuating texture and doesn’t get visibly glittery or chunky.
A velvety-soft powder with a glowing, radiant finish that fuses with the skin to create a glossy, lit-from-within look.
Formulated without certain ingredients that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment and also addresses ingredients clients are concerned about, including phthalates, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde releasers.
Features:
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Gluten-Free
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
A weightless, long-wear, cream-powder hybrid highlighter for the face and eyes in a range of shades, from subtle to supercharged, in solos and expertly-paired duos.
Free of parabens and phthalates. This product is also cruelty-free. his long-wearing highlighter was born in a lineup of solos and duos for all skin tones.
The cream-powder hybrid melts into skin and blends with almost zero effort. Loaded with superfine shimmer for an ultra-smooth, creamy texture, it’s your go-to for highlighting your face, eyes, and collarbone.
Features:
- Cream-Powder
- Cruelty-Free
- Long-Wearing
