There’s nothing that pulls together an entire makeup look like a highlighter. In the past decade, highlighters have blown up in the makeup community. A good highlighter brightens up the skin and reflects light off the areas of your face you want to emphasize. One of the most popular high-end highlighters out there right now is the Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter.
This smooth application, luminous sheen highlighter switches on the “wow” factor for any complexion.
The Benefit Watt’s Up Cream to Powder Highlighter gives a luminous glow to your skin without looking too cakey. It is many people’s go-to highlighter, as it’s super easy to use and it looks amazing. Unfortunately, is out of a lot of people’s budgets. We’ve gathered the best dupes that provide the same amazing results for a fraction of the cost. Our favorite is the Maybelline Face Studio Master Strobe.
Benefit Watt’s Up Dupes
The Benefits Watt’s Up Cream-to-Powder Highlighter is one of the top picks for highlighters in the beauty community. So many people love how easy it is to use. Also, the strobing effect it gives to the skin is beautiful.
But, what people don’t necessarily love is its price. This highlighter is incredible, but it is not affordable to most. So, here are the top dupes that provide the same amazing results for an affordable price.
Maybelline FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick
Our Pick
This light, creamy-textured highlighter boosts your skin’s glow for a targeted highlight.
Maybelline is one of the most popular drugstore brands known for creating great quality makeup for an affordable cost. For this reason, a lot of their products are considered dupes for high-end products. This is definitely the case with the FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick.
This highlighter looks like almost an exact replica of the Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter. The stick format/packaging and strobing effects is what made us choose this one as our favorite. This cream highlighter seamlessly applies onto the skin in an even layer that doesn’t appear patchy at all. Then, it dries down and looks perfectly blended into the skin as a powder would look. It is extremely blendable and easy to use, so it is a great product for beginners. Not to mention, this highlighter is budget-friendly and accessible to most people.
Unfortunately, Maybelline is not yet a cruelty-free brand. This is because they sell their products in mainland China where animal testing is required by law. Also, something that reviewers dislike about this highlighter is that it isn’t as bright and pigmented as they were hoping for.
Pros:
- Packaging similar to Benefit highlighter
- Applies evenly onto the skin
- Easy to blend
- Great for beginners
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not cruelty-free
- Not highly pigmented
Where to buy it: Amazon
Thrive Cosmetics Triple Threat Color Stick
This multipurpose cream color stick melts onto skin for a healthy, natural flush of hydrating, waterproof color for face, lips and body.
In the makeup world, Thrive Cosmetics is known for their Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. They are also becoming known for their Triple Threat Color Stick, critically acclaimed by makeup bloggers and us of course. The Color Stick comes in ten different shades which create a perfect hydrating glow. Thrive’s color stick delivers effortlessly buildable, blendable, waterproof color anywhere on the lips, face and body. This is truly a perfect dupe for the Benefit Highlighter. Thrive Cosmetics is unique because of its vegan, 100% cruelty-free formulas containing proven ingredients without the use of parabens or sulfates.
For every product you purchase, Thrive Cosmetics donates to communities.
One of the downfalls of this product is the multiuse aspect, for example the shade might look good on your cheeks, but not your lips.
Pros:
- Comes in 10 different shades
- Easy to blend
- Feels lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not multipurpose all the time
Where to buy it: Thrive Cosmetics
Covergirl Clean Fresh Cooling Glow Stick
This portable shimmer highlighter instantly cools skin and leaves it looking positively radiant.
Covergirl is another brand that is highly popular in the drugstore. They have created good quality makeup products for decades, so it’s no shock they made it onto this list. Their Clean Fresh Cooling Glow Stick is a stick highlighter that resembles the Benefit one.
The Covergirl Clean Fresh Cooling Glow Stick is available in 4 different shades. So you’re bound to find one that beautifully complements your skin tone. Hence the name, it gives a cooling sensation to the skin which feels refreshing and comfortable on the skin. It gives a glowing natural look that emphasizes your prominent features. Its packaging makes it easy to toss in your purse and bag, so it is great for travel. Also, Covergirl is a newly cruelty-free brand!
If you are looking for a bright strobing effect, this might not be for you. This gives a much more natural look. Something that reviewers didn’t like about this highlighter is that it has an unpleasant scent.
Pros:
- Available in 4 different shades
- Gives a cooling sensation
- Gives a natural glow
- Convenient packaging
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not for people who want a super intense highlight
- Has an unpleasant scent
Where to buy it: Amazon
NYX Strobe of Genius Holographic Stick
This highlighting stick glides on effortlessly to softly illuminate your complexion for a runway-inspired strobe effect.
Another brand that is popular at the drugstore, NYX is a fan favorite in the beauty community. Their Strobe of Genius Holographic Stick is one of their bestsellers.
This highlighting stick comes in 2 shades that are glowing and radiant on the skin. The cream formula applies easily to the skin and blends out flawlessly. You can create a natural glowing effect by applying a small amount and blending it into the skin. Or, you can layer on more of this product for a strobe effect that doesn’t look cakey. It feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin. Also, NYX is cruelty-free!
Something to note about this product is that it doesn’t dry down to the face. So, it tends to transfer onto other surfaces if it touches anything. Also, it is not as long-lasting as users would have liked it to be.
Pros:
- Easy to apply
- Easy to blend
- Versatile
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not transfer-proof
- Not long-lasting
Where to buy it: Ulta
Wet N Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick
This highlight stick gives you catwalk-ready cheekbones, naturally flushed cheeks, and an insanely glowy complexion.
Wet N Wild has some of the most budget-friendly makeup at the drugstore while not being low quality. In fact, some would even argue that it has some of the best quality drugstore makeup. For this reason, Wet N Wild is a fan favorite.
Wet N Wild’s MegaGlo Makeup Stick is a highlighting stick that is available in 1 shade. The formula is creamy and lightweight on the skin. Since it’s so creamy, it is also super easy to blend. At first, it gives a very natural glow. But, you can easily build it up for a more dramatic look. There is a lot of product in one container, so it lasts you a while. Also, Wet N Wild is a cruelty-free brand!
Since it is only available in 1 shade, it can be tricky to know if this shade will work for you. Users wish there was a wider shade selection. Also, it is not very long-lasting.
Pros:
- Feels lightweight on the skin
- Easy to blend
- Buildable
- Lasts a while
- Cruelty-free
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Only comes in 1 shade
- Not long-lasting
Where to buy it: Amazon
ColourPop Lite Stix
This highlight stick glides on your skin, blends effortlessly, and easily builds shimmer to the level you like.
ColourPop is one of my personal favorites when it comes to high-end makeup for an affordable price. They started out as only being known for their lip products. But, they quickly built up in popularity and more of their products are getting the recognition they deserve.
One of these products is the Lite Stix. This highlighting stick is an excellent dupe for the Benefit one, and it is extremely affordable. It is available in 5 different shades, so it’ll most likely work for users of all different skin tones. The creamy formula glides onto the skin seamlessly making it easy to blend into the skin. It feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin. Also, it layers nicely on top of other makeup. ColourPop is a cruelty-free makeup brand.
What users do not like about this product is the amount of glitter that is in it. If you’re not a fan of glitter, this may not be the highlighter for you. Also, some users were not a fan of the scent.
Pros:
- Available in 5 different shades
- Easy to blend
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin
- Layers nicely on top of other makeup
- Cruelty-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Has a lot of glitter in it
- Unpleasant scent
Where to buy it: Ulta
Final Thoughts
The Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighting Stick is a fan favorite. It is very easy to use and it beautifully adds a pop of shine to your face. But, if you’re not willing to spend a bit of money on a singular makeup product, this might not be for you. Our favorite dupe we picked out is the Maybelline FaceStudio Master Strobing Stick. But, you truly cannot go wrong with any of the dupes on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a highlighter do?
In makeup, highlighters are meant to be applied to the prominent features on your face such as the cheekbones, brow bone, cupid’s bow, and bridge of the nose. The highlighter reflects light off your skin, emphasizing these features and making them stand out.
How do you apply cream/stick highlighter?
One of the main reasons people choose a cream highlighter as opposed to other formulas is it’s easy to apply. All of the highlighters on this list are cream formulas in stick packaging. All you have to do is apply the highlighter straight from the stick to the desired area. Then, the best way to blend it out is simply with your fingers.
What are the benefits of using a highlighter?
You may be deterred from using a highlighter because it doesn’t seem necessary – I know I was! But, a good highlighter can truly bring your whole makeup look together! It adds a luminous shine to your skin that makes you look glowy and refreshed. This prevents your face from looking too flat from your foundation. In addition, it brings out the features you want to emphasize like your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose. Lastly, you can play around with different highlighting shades and add some more creativity to your makeup look.