MissLJBeauty

 I love a good highlighter. Who doesn’t want that lit-from-within glow? I have been a lover of highlighters before they were ever even a thing. I used to use my old eyeshadow to create a sweep of glittery shine on my cheeks. What can I say, I am a trend setter. Defo not just trying to live my Barbie make-up dream as a child. 

 I’ve tried more than I can count over the years because it's an obcession I just can't shake, and honestly, so many of them fall flat.  I feel like Goldilocks and the three bears.  Some are way too glittery, some disappear after an hour, and some make me look like I’ve had a glitter explosion on my face (never cute). I am after that holy grail, that natural-looking glow.  

When Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez launched their Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter ( i know that's a mouthful), I knew I had to try it. Everyone online was raving about its silky powder formula that gives an instant glass-like sheen, and Rare Beauty has a knack for products that actually perform. I am a rare beauty product fan and I have reviewed a few over here before, but is this one really worth the hype? Let's get into the light silky touch highlighter review.

What is the Rare's Silky Touch Highlighter?

This is powder highlighter designed to give a soft, natural glow rather than chunky glitter. It feels almost creamy when you touch it, even though it’s a powder, and blends into the skin like a dream. It’s part of the Positive Light collection, which is all about radiance and enhancing your natural skin rather than masking it.

Key Features in Rare Beauty's Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter & Formula

The formula is lightweight, silky (the name is spot on), and glides on like butter. I have never felt a formula like this one.  Unlike some powders that sit on top of the skin, this one blends in effortlessly. Rare says it’s buildable, you can go from a soft, natural glow to full-on disco ball if you want, but it never looks cakey. What magic is this, Miss Gomez?

Ingredients to note:

• Talc-free formula (a big win for many of us)

• Finely milled pearls for that luminous finish

• Vitamin E for a touch of antioxidant care

• Mica for light reflection without chunky glitter

The texture really does feel almost creamy, even though it’s a powder. It's such a unique product. 

Why Everyone Loves It

The magic here is how smooth and weightless it feels. The powder is finely milled, so it melts into your skin instead of sitting on top. I think that’s what makes it so different from a lot of other powder highlighters: it can blend into your foundation and contour and coexist instead of clogging.  It also gives you radiance without that chalky or dusty look. On top of that, it’s talc-free and buildable, so you can wear a soft glow in the daytime and layer it up at night for a full-on glass-skin effect.

Shades and Skin Tones

Rare started off with four shades but now offers six stunning shades, so no matter your undertone or skin depth, there’s a perfect glow waiting for you. Dont get me wrong, I would use them all. But this gives you an Idea of what Rare were thinking puring the design process. 

• Enlighten – cool champagne -gorgeous on very fair to light skin for that icy pop 

• Exhilarate – champagne gold -my personal fave and the one I have, this the most universal, perfect for fair to medium complexions

• Flaunt – true gold -ideal for olive to medium skin tones that want a rich golden sheen

• Mesmerize – rose bronze -a dreamy blush-topper in summer, flattering on medium to tan skin

• Reveal – warm copper - stunning on deeper complexions, adds warmth and dimension

• Reflect – deep bronze -the richest shade, perfect for deep skin tones who love a bold, luminous highlight

The formula is sheer enough to melt into your undertone, but pigmented enough to give that glass-skin, lit-from-within glow. Whether you’re fair, medium, olive, or deep, Rare Beauty has made sure there’s a shade to suit everyone with this innovative powder highlighter.  We all know shade inclusivity is something I love in a brand. 

How Does Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter Perform on Different Skin Types?

One of the reasons this highlighter has gone viral is, it really does adapt beautifully to most skin types. I have combination skin, and I can have dry patches on my cheeks and this can be a nightmare for highlighters. But I have never had an issue with this one. Even on oily days. 

Here’s how it performs depending on your skin:

• Dry Skin – The silky, finely-milled texture doesn’t cling to dry patches, which is a lifesaver. It gives a soft, glowy finish without looking powdery.

• Normal Skin – Basically the dream! It melts in and gives you that effortless lit-from-within look that lasts all day.

• Oily Skin – It still works, but go light-handed. Because it’s so glowy, I’d keep it to the high points of the face instead of all over to avoid looking too shiny.

• Combination Skin – Use it strategically: perfect on the cheekbones, temples, and brow bone. Just avoid applying too much around oil-prone areas like the T-zone.

• Sensitive Skin – The formula is talc-free and lightweight, so it tends to be gentle, but as always, patch test if you’re prone to irritation.

• Mature Skin - This is where it shines (literally!). Because it’s such a smooth, soft-focus powder, it doesn’t settle heavily into fine lines or emphasise texture. It gives that healthy, youthful radiance without looking glittery or harsh.

No matter your skin type, the beauty of this powder is that it blends like silk and gives radiance without emphasising pores or texture too much.

ƒWhat’s Inside the Formula?

One of the best things about Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Silky Highlighter is that it’s talc-free. If you’ve ever used powders that felt chalky or heavy, you’ll notice the difference straight away with this one. Instead of sitting on top of the skin, it feels lightweight, silky, and almost creamy. Honestly, this feels so different to anything I already have in my collection or makeup routine. A little goes a long way, I mean, you touch this and the payoff is incredible. From the first swatch, I was blown away. I am not sure how I will ever hit pan on this product. Other makeup brands take note here. 

Let's talk about what's in it:

• Dimethicone – Adds that velvety slip, so the highlighter glides on smoothly without dragging or highlighting texture. It also helps blur pores and fine lines, giving a soft-focus effect.

• Mica – The mineral that does the magic when it comes to glow. It reflects light beautifully, giving you that luminous glass-skin look without chunky glitter.

• Semi-sheer base – This keeps the formula flexible. It’s pigmented enough to give impact, but buildable so you can choose between a soft daytime glow or a full glam highlight.

Powder vs Liquid Highlighters: How Does It Compare?

I know a lot of people wonder whether to go for a powder highlighter like this one or stick with a liquid luminizer. Personally, I think they both have their place. Liquids (like Rare Beauty positive light liquid luminizer) melt into the skin for that glossy, wet-look shine,  gorgeous under foundation or mixed with skincare. But powders like the Silky Touch are unbeatable for staying power. I am more of a powder gal. 

This powder feels almost like a cream when you touch it, but once it’s on, it sets in place and lasts all day. No slipping, no separating, no weird patches,  just a consistent glow. I actually find it layers beautifully over liquid and cream products too, locking in the radiance without going cakey. How on earth was this made? I am head over heels in love with the formula.

Application and How It Performs

I like to apply it with a fluffy highlighting brush and sweep it across the high points of my face, think cheekbones, brow bone and a touch on the nose. A light hand gives a fresh glow, but if you want that glass-like sheen, layer it up. This will give skin an instant glass-like sheen. You are really in charge with this highlighter.  I have also used this to highlight tanned legs on a night out, a sweep down the middle really makes my legs look longer. 

On my skin, it lasts a full day, even through my usual running-around errands, and it even survived a mountain biking session in the Scottish Highlands (yes, I really test my makeup hard). What can I say, play hard, work hard. 

The glow looks luminous without being too sparkly, and the best part is that it doesn’t cling to dry patches or break up on oily areas or settle into fine lines. I have slightly dry skin, and it glides on smoothly without making me look flaky. Friends with oily complextions have told me it holds up well, too, especially if you set your base first and use a good setting spray. 

Application & Best Tools

I’ve tested it with fingers, and fluffy brushes, and honestly, a soft fluffy brush is my favourite,  it gives you that airbrushed glow without overloading product.

For a glass-skin look, apply it on the high points of your face: cheekbones, brow bone, tip of the nose, and even lightly on the forehead. If you want extra intensity, dampen your brush with setting spray before dipping in.

Pro tip: Layer it with Rare Beauty’s liquid blush or cream blush. The glow + flush combo is unbeatable They just work so effortlessly together or alone.

Packaging

Rare Beauty has kept things simple and clean with the Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter packaging. The compact is lightweight, travel-friendly, and easy to slip into your makeup bag. The lid closes securely, and the clear top makes it easy to see which shade you’re reaching for.

That said, a few people feel the packaging doesn’t quite match the luxe feel of the formula inside.  I am defo on the side that it looks a little bit cheap and not what I was expecting. It’s not as weighty or high-end looking as some other brands in the same price range, and some reviews mention it can break if dropped. So I am now very, very careful with mine. Personally, I don’t mind the lighter packaging; it makes it easier to carry around, but it’s worth noting if you’re someone who loves a really luxe, heavy compact. I wish it were better, but the performance of the product makes the packaging not a big issue. 

How It Compares

I’ve tried my fair share of highlighters, from drugstore favourites to high-end cult classics, and Rare Beauty’s Touch Highlighter sits comfortably at the top for me. Compared to powder highlighters like Becca’s old Shimmering Skin Perfectors (RIP, I still miss them), Rare Beauty’s formula feels so much more modern. It’s finely milled, silky, and doesn’t emphasise pores the way some powders can. You can just tell this has so much thought and passion poured into it. 

Against liquid highlighters, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Beauty Light Wand or Rare Beauty’s own Positive Light Liquid Luminizer, the Silky Touch is easier to control and a lot less messy. With the liquid versions, I sometimes find I have to blend super fast or risk moving my foundation underneath, whereas with this powder formula, you can build it up slowly, and it layers beautifully without disturbing anything. As I said, I am a powder super fan. 

And cream highlighters? I like them for a natural day look, but they can feel a bit heavy or greasy on my skin after a few hours. Silky Touch has that same dewy “glass-skin” vibe without the slip. It really is a powder that performs like a cream or liquid, and that’s what makes it a standout in my collection. I just can't stop reaching for it, and let's face it, I have alot of other choices. 

Wear Test: Does It Last All Day?

This is where I was seriously impressed.

• Longevity: On my skin, it lasts 8–10 hours without fading, which is rare for a powder highlighter.

• On dry skin: Doesn’t look patchy or clingy.

• On oily skin: After about 7–8 hours you might see a little breakdown, but it still looks glowy rather than greasy.

• Clinging to texture: It smooths over my pores rather than highlighting them — which is basically the dream.

Price and Where to Buy

In the UK, the Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter retails for £25 at Sephora UK and Space NK. I went in the store to try these, and the sales associate at Sephora recommended the shade exhilarate, and I had to have it. She told me it is her top-selling highlighter and she uses it daily. 

 In the US it’s $25 at Sephora.

It’s a mid-luxury price point, but in my opinion, worth it for how it performs. Compared to some highlighters that creep past £35, this one feels like you’re getting real value for money. I can not imagine when I will reach the end of this. It doesn't even look used yet, and it's a good 2.8g of product, so the cost per ware is really good. But as I always say, wait for a sale or discount code to find your product on sale. 

Quick Take On The Rare Beauty Highlighter

Price: £25 (Sephora UK & Space NK)
Pros: Smooth, silky formula, buildable glow, flattering on all skin tones, lasts all day without looking glittery.
Cons: Some users say the packaging feels a little cheap for the price and that the compact can break if dropped.

Best For: Anyone who wants a natural, glass-skin glow that looks effortless but polished.

Key Features of Rare Beauty Silky Touch Highlighter

• Cruelty-Free – Like all of Rare Beauty’s products, this highlighter is never tested on animals, which makes it a great choice if you prefer ethical beauty buys.

• Vegan – The formula is 100% vegan, so you’re not just glowing — you’re glowing guilt-free.

• Paraben-Free – No parabens here, so it’s gentler on the skin and a safer long-term option.

• Dermatologist Tested – Tested to be skin-friendly, so you can feel confident adding it into your everyday routine.

• Suitable for Sensitive Skin – The lightweight, talc-free formula sits comfortably on delicate or reactive skin without irritation.

• Non-Comedogenic – Won’t clog pores, which is brilliant if you’re prone to breakouts but still want that glass-like sheen.

My Honest Thoughts

I didn’t expect to fall in love with another highlighter, well, maybe I did. It is me, the highlighter junkie here.  I’ve tested so many that I thought nothing could surprise me. But The Rare really nailed this formula with the beauty, positive light silky touch. I just can't get over how good it is at this price point. 

 It gives me that luminous, fresh finish that lasts all day without looking overdone. It’s smooth, flattering, and versatile, whether I’m doing a full face or just a touch of makeup before heading out. I dont think any of my other highlighters could compare to the staying power of rare beauty positive light silky. It is so flexible, too. Add a tiny amount or go full glam, this just hits differently. It doesn't cling to any of my skin texture and it just blends like an actual dream. There is no fallout throughout the day at all. Just set with your favourite setting spray, and this is going to last you the distance. I am blown away. Also, it makes a gorgeous eyeshadow. 

For me, this is glow without glitter, radiance without effort, and it’s quickly become a go-to in my collection. Would I repurchase? Absolutely, if I ever need to it has made me want to buy more shades, that is for sure. I am not sure I could walk past these in-store and not buy another. 

Don’t forget if you like my reviews I have lots from sol de Janeiro bum bum cream to Rhodes glaze milk it’s not just skincare make up too and all beauty.