We Tried the Highlighter J.Lo and Beyoncé Swear By for Glowing Skin

What do Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez have in common? I mean, aside from being legendary music, dance, and style icons, they also happen to both love the same highlighter: Iconic London's Illuminator Liquid Highlight. That's right, the same $40 highlighter is responsible for some of the most glowing skin in the game.

Beyoncé is notoriously private, but over the years she has let slip some real gems about her beauty routine, like details on the $10 mascara she wore during her legendary Beychella performance, and the secret to her “Teflon face” that lasts through three-hour concerts. And earlier this fall, it was revealed that her makeup artist Rokael Lizama used Iconic London's highlighter for her candlelit glow in the Black Is King visual album.

That news was enough to make us want to get our hands on it immediately, but that desire was only intensified when J.Lo was recently spotted in the same highlighter in her new music video for “Pa Ti.” In addition to its superstar stamp of approval, the illuminator's versatility is another selling point that had us dying to try it.

On Beyoncé, Lizama sheered out the highlighter with some face oil for a more lit-from-within dew, while J.Lo's makeup artist Mary Phillips really piled it on for maximum glow. Either way, there's no denying how gorgeous it looked.

If it's good enough for these two, we figured it must be good enough for us mere mortals. We had five Glamour staffers with different skin tones and bling preferences put Iconic London's Illuminator Liquid Highlight to the test. It didn't give us Bey’s or J.Lo's genetically blessed cheekbones, but it did give good glow. Here's what everyone had to say.

Bella Cacciatore, beauty associate

This highlighter is kinda legendary in the beauty world for being a favorite among YouTubers and influencers, and if I'm being honest, that scares me a little bit. I've always preferred dewy highlighters over full-on metallic ones, and I had pretty much sworn off highlighter until I tried Dolphin Skin this summer and got back into it, so I was game to try the Iconic London. While it's blingier than what I usually go for, I look undeniably gorgeous in this photo. I will say it's a bit more dramatic in real life—I'll probably steal Lizama's technique next time and mix it with with oil or moisturizer to tone things down—but the color is so stunning (I tried the Original shade), and the liquid doesn't call attention to my scarring or texture. I understand why it's an on-camera essential, and I'll definitely be keeping it in my rotation for more glam days.

Brionna Jimerson, associate social media manager

It’s so easy for me to accidentally go overboard with highlighter. From that first dusting to the final blend, I’m usually aiming for headlight-level brightness. Before this, I'd never tried anything but pressed pigment highlighters and wasn't exactly sure what to expect, so can I just say “wow”? I can't believe how buildable this liquid gold is. I’d recommend dabbing a drop or two onto your fingertip for an even, natural application, since it's easy to overdo it. But no matter how blinding or pared down you wear it, you won't be disappointed by the glow it gives.

Talia Gutierrez, beauty assistant

I get why makeup artists love this stuff. It dries deceptively fast. The first time I went to tap on a few drops with my fingers along my cheekbones and nose, it dried faster than I could tap it in. So I'd recommend using a brush for a smooth, blotchless finish. Once you get the technique right, though, you'll wonder how you ever lived without this stuff. Of the three shades Iconic’s Glow Illuminator comes in, I found the Original—a Champagne-toned shimmer—best complemented my olive skin. It left a dewy shine that didn't run or fade as the day went by. Perfect for music videos certainly, but even better for back-to-back-to-back Zoom calls.

Lindsay Schallon, senior beauty editor

I know what you're thinking: $40 for a highlighter? Let me temper some of that sticker shock because a little goes a long—a long, long, long—way with this stuff. The first time I went to dot some on my cheeks with my fingertips, I put one drop from the dropper on the back of my hand and ended up needing to wash 90% of it off. While it really does look good as a traditional highlighter placed over foundation, I found it really shines (literally) when you mix a drop or two in with a moisturizer or your foundation. In fact, here, to get a really soft, diffused allover glow, I paired it with my favorite concealer of the moment, Dior Forever Skin Correct, which I wear in place of foundation only over the parts that need it. Top it off by very lightly pressing in a minuscule amount of the highlighter on the high points on your face—your Cupid's bow (my favorite spot), the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones, and your brow bone—for a dew that won't make you recognize your own skin.

Khaliha Hawkins, producer

I love wearing liquid highlighters and illuminators under my makeup instead of on top, and this illuminator is excellent. If you’re looking for a highlighter that pops, I’d highly recommend this in the shade Glow—a bronzy, terra-cotta-toned shimmer—but know it’s not for the faint of heart. If I’m going to take pictures or want my highlight to be seen from a safe distance (six feet at all times), I’m definitely putting this on.

Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight

$40.00, Iconic London

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Bella Cacciatore is the beauty associate at Glamour. Follow her on Instagram @bellacacciatore_.

Originally Appeared on Glamour