e.l.f.’s new £9 ‘buttery soft’ launch leaves ‘silky glass-skin glow’ that rivals luxury brands

Beauty brand e.l.f. Cosmetics has introduced a new highlighter into its renowned Halo Glow range – and it’s already accrued a 4.7 star rating

Beauty brand e.l.f. Cosmetics has made quite a name for itself in recent years with its affordable, yet luxurious, glow-inducing products, leaving makeup and skincare buffs in awe – our beauty team included. And its newest addition to its famed Glow collection is no different.

The Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter costs £9 and is already gaining traction for its ‘buttery soft’ formula that ‘melts’ into skin and leaves a ‘silky glass-skin glow’. With its high-end finish and ‘soft, luminous’ result, some shoppers have even called it an ‘incredible’ value alternative to the likes of ‘Rare Beauty’s highlighter (£26) at a fraction of the price’.

Coming in five different shades – from champagne gold to a more blush-style rose gold to the deep bronzed Bronzed Baddie – the Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter has been packed with finely milled micro-shimmer for a luminous glow that has been adored for ‘truly lasting all day’. Its formula is reportedly cake-resistant and crease-resistant too, which is ideal for those who find that highlighter creeps into their crow’s feet or eye bags.

The Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter is loved by shoppers for its ‘melt into skin’ and lightweight application, while its texture is adored for being ‘almost a cross between cream and powder’. While some highlighters can leave its wearer looking ‘glittery’ or ‘chunky’, many users have praised this product for its perfect balance of dry shine and a ‘lit-from-within glow’.

Not to mention it ‘blends like a dream’ and reportedly delivers ‘no patchiness, no fallout’ – which is quite the feat. For use on cheekbones, brow bones, and other high points of the face, it comes in a neat compact and can be applied with the brand’s High Points Highlighter Brush.

For those who’d rather a tube applicator, as opposed to a compact, Kiko Milano’s Glow Fusion Dream Highlighter, £14.99, is a lovely alternative whose creamy formula is applied with its adjustable sponge attachment, which dots illuminating pigments on the skin.

For use after foundation, concealer, contour/bronzer, blush and setting/finishing powder, e.l.f. Cosmetics suggests layering the Halo Glow Highlighter on top of the Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand, for an ‘extra lit look’. This £10 liquid blush is a buildable formula, which is available in six different colours and comes infused with hydrating squalane, to not only moisturise but add instant luminosity.

This particular e.l.f. product looks similar in its design to Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wand in the shade Pinkgasm, £31, and appears to have a comparable pearlescent finish, which is ideal for those who adore the Charlotte Tilbury product but can’t quite justify the price tag.

While the Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter is a new launch, those who have already got their hands on the product have sung its praises, giving it an overall 4.7-star rating, with one user noting: “The e.l.f. Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter gives the prettiest natural shine without looking chunky or glittery. It blends super easily and melts into the skin for a smooth, lit-from-within glow. Perfect for everyday wear and doesn’t emphasise texture.”

Another noted: “I just bought it today and used it once, and it’s incredible! As a tan, mixed girly, this shows up perfectly, and its tiny compact is so nice to toss into my purse or pocket! Barely put my finger on it and had good pigment!”

Someone else added: “This highlighter is absolutely stunning. It’s silky and beautifully sparkly without looking chunky or over the top. I’m definitely not a makeup expert and usually stick to the bare minimum (foundation, blush, lipstick), but this instantly elevates my look. It gives the prettiest glow and genuinely makes me feel so beautiful when I wear it.”

While most people are ‘obsessed’ with this new product – highlighted by one review which read: “From the very first swipe, it delivers the most gorgeous, lit-from-within glow without looking glittery or overdone. The texture is buttery smooth and blends like a dream — no patchiness, no fallout. A little goes a long way, and it truly lasts all day without fading or emphasising texture” – not everyone has been as impressed.

One person deducted two stars from their review because the item didn’t deliver the ‘impact I was hoping for’. They said: “The glow was very minimal on my skin and seemed to disappear pretty quickly after applying. It might be nice if you prefer an extremely subtle, barely-there highlight, but I personally wanted a bit more payoff. It’s not a bad product, just not the level of glow I was looking for.”

The new e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Silky Powder Highlighter is available on its website for £9, here.