Swiping on some bronzer can give you a natural glow that will lift your spirits any time of year. A hint of blush can do just enough to fool people into thinking you spent your afternoon on the beach. And don’t get me started on the wonders of highlighter: How could we create that dewy look without it?! Of course, it takes the right products to achieve these things—and browsing the list of 2022 Healthy Beauty Award winners is the best place to get inspiration for your next purchase.
Best Body Shimmer: Bali Body Body Highlighter
Meet the body highlighter for people who think they don’t like body highlighters. The lotion blends easily, and better yet, naturally into your skin.
Bonus points, per the experts: This highlighter contains dimethicone, which helps keep skin soft and supple.
One tester said: “The shimmer looks a little intense and intimidating when you first see it, but it blends out quickly and easily to a nice sheen. My favorite place to wear it is on my décolletage when I layer necklaces. It really makes the whole look pop!”
Best Liquid Highlighter: Valentino V-Lighter Illuminating Face Primer and Highlighter with Hyaluronic Acid
If you’re a multitasker, then you’ll love this all-in-one primer, highlighter, and hydrator! Editors found a renewed love for doing their makeup thanks to this pick.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hyaluronic acid, which is loved by dermatologists because it’s a great moisturizer for all skin types—even those that are acne-prone!
One tester said: “This product is magic, and I want to do my makeup just so that I have an excuse to wear this more often. I largely used it as a highlighter on top of makeup, but you can also use it as a glowy primer too. It goes on so beautifully and basically always makes you look like you are standing in front of a ring light.”
Best Stick Highlighter: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Highlighter
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S (yes, Fergie style) is how you will feel after trying this stick highlighter, according to editors. It contains a bit of glitter, so they say it’s best used in the evening. But hey, if you love it so much that you want to wear it any time of the day, I fully support you.
Bonus points, per the experts: Made with dimethicone, this highlighter moisturizes too.
One tester said: “I’ve never used a stick highlighter, and the product from Anastasia Beverly Hills was a good place to start! Although it is a cream stick, it feels very smooth and dry—it doesn’t go on wet or messy at all. I really love the soft applicator/brush on the other side of the stick because it applies the highlighter so well!”
Best Powder Highlighter: LYS Beauty Aim High Pressed Highlighter Powder
Editors loved this powder highlighter because it’s easy to use and looks really natural, never caking on skin. Just be sure to apply it lightly at first, as the formula is very pigmented.
Bonus points, per the experts: This highlighter is excellent for anyone with dull skin, thanks to ingredients like niacinamide, which brightens, and hyaluronic acid, which hydrates.
One tester said: “The colors are really nice, and I think this is a good product for people who like powder highlighters.”
Best Liquid Blush: Flower Beauty Blush Bomb Color Drops for Cheeks
Reviewers couldn’t stop talking about this blush’s wide range of colors that fit a variety of skin tones. Even better, Flower Beauty makes high-quality products that are super affordable—and one tube will last you a while.
Bonus points, per the experts: This blush contains dimethicone, which helps keep your skin from getting dry.
One tester said: “The eight colors in the range are all gorgeous. The gel-cream formula blends effortlessly and gives your skin a flush of color and a hint of glow that looks natural and radiant. I especially love the Bitten shade, which is a stunning berry hue that brightens up your cheeks without being overpowering.”
Best Powder Blush: RMS Beauty “Re” Dimension Hydra Powder Blush
This blush provides a nice glow without shimmer, creating a bright and rosy complexion. In fact, editors and reviewers said it’s the perfect blush for the “no-makeup” look.
Bonus points, per the experts: This plus contains squalene, a great moisturizing ingredient for all skin types.
One tester said: “I really loved this blush! It’s a powder-cream hybrid, which was perfect for someone like me who historically enjoys creams, but gets frustrated at their lack of longevity. I can tell it blends really well, because even when I applied too much, the formula still settled into my skin naturally.”
Best Cream Blush: Keys Soulcare Sheer Flush Cheek Tint
This tint gives you a natural, flushed look. Plus, it’s so creamy, the formula feels almost like a light moisturizer, according to editors.
Bonus points, per the experts: The jojoba seed oil in this product absorbs quickly and is suitable for people with acne-prone skin.
One tester said: “I can apply this with my finger, so it gets points for ease of use. The color I’m trying is very natural, so it looks like I’m blushing—which is exactly what you want from cheek tint!”
Best Balm Cream Bronzer: Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
Editors couldn’t stop raving about how natural this bronzer looks. The best part? It blends beautifully, so you don’t have to worry about streaks. It comes in four shades, the second-darkest shown above, so it’s suitable for a variety of skin types and colors.
Bonus points, per the experts: This cream bronzer is loaded with beauty-boosting ingredients like oatmeal, which soothes irritated skin, and grapeseed oil, a natural astringent.
One tester said: “Once I figured out that I really had to warm this bronzer up with my brush before applying, the formula moved onto my skin really nicely—and also lasted for so long! It’s perfect for people who want a drier formula that doesn’t feel liquidy at all—but it’s not powdery or cakey either. It’s truly a second skin.”
Best Powder Bronzer: EM Cosmetics
This sculpting bronzer lives up to its name. You’ll only need a few swipes to contour your cheekbones to new heights. And the streamlined compact is easy to carry in your purse or makeup bag, which is always a plus.
Bonus points, per the experts: This cream bronzer contains shea butter, which helps moisturize skin.
One tester said: “This was very creamy and blends super easily—a little goes a long way! Although I have very fair skin, I was able to use it while still matching my natural skin tone.”
Best Multi Palette: Ace Beauté Glow Essentials Highlighter Palette
This palette includes six unique shades—perfect for a blushed or more contoured look—so I’m confident it will quickly become a staple in your makeup bag. Reviewers liked that the highlighter goes on smoothly and mixes well with moisturizer. It’s also super versatile, allowing you to play around to accent your nose, cheeks, undereye area, and more, depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Bonus points, per the experts: This palette contains dimethicone, which helps keep skin moisturized.
One tester said: “I was excited to try this palette because of the different shades. I really love using a highlighter whenever I leave the house because it gives a natural glow without putting a ton of makeup on my skin. This product is especially great for summer when I don’t want to wear foundation, but still want to look a little more polished.”
Best Lip-and-Cheek Stick: Jones Road Lip and Cheek Stain
Cheeks on point? Check. Lip game poppin’? Check. This lip and cheek stain helps save space in your makeup bag when traveling and is ideal for people who hate using a lot of products.
One tester said: “My lips feel great after application as this product is very moisturizing! I tried using both my finger and a makeup sponge to blend in the stain on my cheeks and both worked great. Simplicity is the name of the game here and anything to make life easier is great in my book!”
Kassy Rose Makeup Artistry 