If any product has the ability to transform the face with minimal effort, it’s the highlighter. With a single stroke, it brings light to the skin. Not glitter, not sparkle, but a kind of soft radiance.
It’s this understated impact that has made highlighter a mainstay in modern makeup. And while the category has evolved, two products remain at the center of the conversation—Laura Mercier’s Face Illuminator, a long-respected classic, and Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Reflect Highlighter Stick, a newer, more ingredient-conscious formulation.
The Format: Cream vs. Powder
The difference in format is immediate. Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Reflect Stick opts for a cream-based formula in a luxe, gold bullet case—mess-free, intuitive, and designed for seamless application. It doesn’t scatter, and delivers a dewy subtle sheen that feels modern and fresh.
Laura Mercier’s powder formula, on the other hand, is pressed and finely milled. The finish is soft-focus and polished, and it has long been favored by artists for its ability to layer without heaviness. It remains a go-to for many, especially those who prefer a powder over cream. Powder also tends to offer longer wear—especially on combination or oily skin—and often stretches further in terms of usage, making it a practical choice for those looking for both performance and longevity.
A Closer Look at the Ingredients
Clean beauty is no longer a niche, it’s the expectation. Ingredient transparency, sourcing, and formulation philosophy all matter. Here’s how these two highlighters compare beneath the surface.
Laura Mercier Face Illuminator
What it gets right:
- Free from fragrance, talc, lanolin, and gluten—an inclusive formulation that considers common sensitivities.
- Contains glycerin and squalane (assumed plant-based), both of which offer hydration.
- A softly luminous finish without visible particles. A refined approach to glow.
Points of note:
- Includes Polysorbate 80 and Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, both synthetics that, while safe in regulated amounts, are not typically favored in stricter clean formulations.
- Uses synthetic fluorphlogopite and mineral pigments like titanium dioxide and iron oxides—common, stable, and effective, though their sourcing and particle size can raise questions in the clean space.
- While lanolin and beeswax are absent here, the brand does acknowledge continued use of animal byproducts in some formulations, though a transition appears to be underway.
Overall: A safe, well-executed formula with a sophisticated finish. Not fully aligned with clean beauty standards, but clearly crafted with performance and wearability in mind.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick
Where it excels:
- Free from fragrance, talc, PEGs, and harsh preservatives.
- Includes thoughtful skin-beneficial ingredients: shea butter, strawberry seed oil, and saccharomyces ferment—each adding a layer of nourishment alongside the cosmetic effect.
- Uses synthetic beeswax, omitting animal-derived waxes, lanolin, and squalane entirely.
Considerations:
- Contains polybutene, tridecyl trimellitate, and VP/Eicosene Copolymer—synthetic emollients and film-formers that are stable and well-tolerated, though not naturally derived.
Overall: offers a more modern interpretation—cleaner in formulation, dewy in texture, and designed for ease. It reflects not just light, but a shift toward intentional, ingredient-conscious beauty.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Reflect Highlighter Stick in Pearl
A shortcut to a luminous complexion, Pearl offers a soft-focus radiance. The finish is weightless, refined, and light-catching in all the right ways. Glide it over the high points of the face for an effortless, modern glow.
Highlight With Intention
Highlighter, at its best, is subtle enhancement. It reflects light strategically, giving structure and vitality to the face with little effort. And while both of these formulas achieve that effect, they approach it from different philosophies.
Both deliver glow. The choice, ultimately, comes down to your priorities—texture, format, finish, and philosophy.
