We all panic when the first leaf of autumn falls from the tree, when the first cold snap of winter whisks our skin into a dry frenzy, when darkness drops from the sky before we've even finished work. It's time to put on the parka and pack your sandals back into the bottom of our wardrobes, where they will lie, useless and gathering dust until next summer. But what really upsets us, what really hits us where it hurts, is the fact that all our summer makeup is rendered purposeless. No more bronzer necessary. No more SPF. No more tinted moisturiser - it's just heavy duty foundation from here on out.
But summer fans rejoice! Your makeup faves definitely don't have to disappear just because the sun has! A bit of sparkle is relevant come rain or shine, and we've found plenty of highlighters to give you the right shade of shimmer to suit your winter skin.
High Beam, Benefit
Dubbed as a "supermodel in a bottle", Benefit's dewy offering is a soft pink that looks darling dotted on cheekbones.
RRP: £19.50 from Benefit
Haloscope, Glossier
Glossier dew effect highlighters combine both skincare and makeup - the inner circle is made of solid oil that's gonna moisturise your face, whilst the outer halo is what brings the shimmer. We LOVE.
RRP: $22 (approx £18) from Glossier
Living Luminizer, RMS Beauty
Hands down, RMS are making the best coconut oil-enriched products around. Their Raw Coconut Cream is the simple skincare you need for winter, so this cute little luminizer with a transluscent pearl finish isn't going to be harsh on your skin at all.
RRP: £30 from Cult Beauty
Candlelight Duo, Too Faced
We love duo products - best of both worlds, right? Which is why this two-toned illuminator from Too Faced is perfect if you want to pick a side or combine. You can tailor this pinky palate to make it as shimmery or as subtle as you like.
RRP: £25 from Too Faced
Polka Dots & Moonbeams, Ilia
You can apply Ilia's shimmer stick to your cheekbones, brow bones, bottom lip, corner of your eyes - wherever you damn well please. And the handy little stick means it's easy to apply and takes up very little space in your handbag - because as you will come to realise, where you go your highlight stick must follow.
RRP: £30 from Naturismo
Glow Beam Highlighting Powder, MUA Luxe
For those who can't afford to spend £30 on some shimmer, MUA do a great highlighting powder for only £5. A highly pigmented gold dust that looks gorgeous on pale skin tones. Happy strobing!
RPP: £5 from MUA
Liquid Lumiere, Chantecaille
Chantecaille's shimmer is a little different to the others, in that in comes in a squeezy tube that's easy to chuck in your bag. It comes in three gorgeous colours: radiant gold, tropical pink and a pretty, subtle pink to match your skin tone all year round.
RRP: £33 from Liberty
Hot Sand Illuminator, Nars
This peachy illuminator is hella versatile: you can wear it all over your face or focus it on the highlight hotspots, mixed with your foundation or worn alone. The choice is yours - it's gonna look great either way.
RRP: £22.50 from Nars
L.A. Lights, Smashbox
Another illuminator that comes in stick form, the Smashbox highlighter comes in a whole bunch of beautiful colours. But if we had to pick one? It would definitely be Hollywood and Highlight (pictured). The sheer golden tone looks perfect if you've got a suntan, but is translucent enough that it also complements a pale tone too.
RRP: £25 from Smashbox
Nutcracker Sweet Peach, MAC
Peachy faces are in, guys. And looking at this cute duo from MAC, it ain't hard to see why. Perf for pale winter skin, this is also going to be awesome when spring rolls around.
RRP: £29 from MAC
Watts up!, Benefit
If you just can't get enough of sparkle in stick form, then this is your gal. It'll add a gentle shimmer that's a bit more bronze in hue than the others - just incase you like to keep an element of summer even on the colder days. Plus, turn the stick upside down and there's a handy dabber that'll help you apply the product evenly without running the risk of twinkly fingers.
RRP: £24.50 from Benefit
What's your favourite highlighter? Let us know! @sofeminineUK
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