The Jolii Cosmetics Spektra Stick Is the Most Pigmented Highlighter You'll Ever Use

Over the past couple years, I've tried close to 100 highlighters. Half were for scientific beauty-editor purposes. The other half was for pure enjoyment. The Jolii Cosmetics Spektra Stick is my newest favorite. It does the job of making my cheekbones visible to aliens several planets away better than any other highlighter I've tried. Sure, I'll admit the hype around Becca's and Anastasia's formulas is very real. I, too, have fallen under their spells along with all the other glow-obsessed people out there. Their cult-favorite hold was so strong that I completely ignored Jolii Cosmetics's under-the-radar highlighters, which launched on Valentine's Day, since last week. After doing some spring cleaning, I decided to finally swatch the Italian-made beauties, and I experienced love at first sight. (I should have guessed this would be the case because the last time I instantly fell in love, it was with a guy I met in Florence.)

In the past, I've mistakenly given cream highlighters a bad rap. Because they typically give skin a more dewy, natural-looking finish, I've relegated them to highlighter primer status. They're fine on their own if you like a subtle glow. But if you like a mirror-like shine happening on your cheekbones—like me—then sticks won't be able to do the job solo. The Spektra Stick is an exception. It glides on more like an eye-shadow stick. They have the same kind of color payoff. With one swipe, you get just the right amount of pigment. You don't have to give it several passes on your skin to know it's there. Then, once you blend the highlighter onto your cheekbones with your fingertips or a Beautyblender, the shimmer doesn't suddenly disappear. Instead it melts into your skin and continues to give it an intense radiance. There's no need to layer a powder highlighter on top. I wasn't even tempted to try.

I fell in love all over again once I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. When the light hits the highlighter, it twinkles as if there are little constellations on your face. That effect doesn't come from chunky glitter, though. The formula actually has superfine crystals in it, which help it look more shimmery and natural. Oh yeah, and all of Jolii Cosmetics' ingredients are cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, and gluten-free, too.

As for the shades it comes in, you have two Spektra Stick options. My favorite is the universally flattering rose gold called Stella. If you prefer more of a bronze, beachy glow, try Celeste (a deep gold). One of our editors with a much deeper skin tone than my vampire-pale skin is obsessed with it. She likes to rub the product onto her fingers to warm it up before tapping it onto the high points of her face. It seriously makes her look lit from within.

You can shop the Jolii Cosmetics Spektra Stick now for $26 at joliicosmetics.com.

More low-key awesome beauty products you should try:

1. 15 Under-the-Radar Lipstick Brands Allure Editors Love
2. The Mascara You Actually Need But Have Probably Have Never Heard Of
3. The Two-Step Concealer Changing the Undereye Game

Now learn how to make dry skin glow with the help of a tea-tree oil mask: