Review - Benefit Cookie Powder Highlighter

Highlighter was easily the best part of the iconic 2016 makeup routine. Ever since all the girlies were trying to blind everyone with their highlight back in the day, I have absolutely adored this step of a full face. While highlight should be a bit more natural by 2024 makeup standards, who doesn't still love a good glow?

While I have mildly contained my excitement about highlighter since high school, I still make sure to apply some whenever I create a full glam look, and sometimes even just to spruce up a natural makeup day. One of my favorite highlighters for any occasion is the recently-viral Benefit Cookie Powder Highlighter. 

Many makeup girlies have been using liquid highlighter recently, especially the one by Rare Beauty, but there's just something special about brushing on a bit of powder highlighter as a finishing touch. The Benefit Cookie Powder Highlighter kept popping up all over my For You Page on TikTok, so I knew I had to try it. When my birthday rolled around in November, I picked one up as a special treat. It has been my go-to highlighter ever since. 

Technically, this highlighter has a gold tint to it, but as a silver girlie, I enjoy that the gold is very subtle. It works well with gold or silver accents, which just proves that it's the right product for everyone. Even though I am pale queen, I do believe that this product is appropriate for any skin tone. It is extremely universal. 

This highlighter is very soft and somewhat pearly, as it has light-catching, fine flecks of glitter. The finer glitter leads to a softer and more natural look, but it is buildable if shinier feels like the vibe. Some highlighters can look a little too intense, but this one has a slight shimmery finish, making it perfect. 

I apply this product the "2016 way," but with a much lighter hand than I did back in the day. I dust some very lightly on my cheekbones and brow bones, then go in with a slightly heavier hand on the tip of my nose and in the corners of my eyes. It leaves me with the perfect 2024 appropriate glow to catch the highlights of my face when they hit the light.

I definitely see why this product went viral. While it is a little bit on the pricier side (retailing at $35), it is so worth it and lasts forever when you use a lighter hand. Benefit Cookie Powder Highlighter is available at Ulta, Sephora, and on the Benefit Cosmetics Website. 

This product gives me a quick little confidence boost, allowing me to feel radiant without being excessively shiny. No matter what anyone may say, highlighter was not left in 2016. 

I'm going to go put some highlighter on now.