10 Hydrating Sticks for a Glass-Skin Look in Two Seconds

True innovation in beauty is hard to come by (so much so that we compile an annual list of game-changing products). This highlighter balm from Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs, though? It absolutely blew me away and is unlike any other glass-skin stick I’ve tried. Made with 64 percent skincare and available in six shades, it glides onto skin like butter and can be used across eyes, lips, cheeks, and the body to achieve an elusive, ethereal, otherworldly glow. Sea-fennel extract mimics the effects of retinol to smooth skin while you wear it, while wakame extract, a marine algae, supports a healthy skin barrier. Plus, there’s hyaluronic acid and squalane to plump fine lines and hydrate skin both immediately and over time.

Customer review: “This is EVERYTHING! Glass skin in a tube. It goes right over my makeup without disturbing it, and it feels moisturizing too. I love it and will never be without it!!! I rarely write reviews but this is just a game changer in my makeup routine.” —aloh2u

This stick is absolutely packed full of skincare ingredients to deliver effective glass-skin results. A few worth mentioning: a hyaluronic-acid complex to instantly plump fine lines, an oil complex for moisture, peptides, collagen, antioxidants for protection, and bifida ferment to support a healthy skin barrier. The stick is best applied to the high points of the face after skincare, but it can work with makeup too. I have dry skin and love this formula, but some reviewers find it to be a bit too much for oily skin.

Customer review: “If you have dry skin and can’t keep a glow to save your life, then this is for you. I have super dry and textured skin and this smooths it all out and keeps my skin so moisturized. I use this on my no-makeup days to keep my skin looking glowy and then under and over my makeup to keep it from looking dry.” —Theresa

I love reaching for this highlighter on no-makeup or no-makeup- makeup days. It adds the perfect amount of soft, natural radiance to cheekbones without feeling sticky or tacky. I’ve also been known to apply it over my eyelids and at the inner corner of my eyes when I’m feeling extra sparkly.

Customer review: “I literally never write reviews, but this product is just so good, I had to! I love using this as an inner corner eye highlight! It’s so natural, with the smallest amount of shimmer. I will note though, it does have interesting scent (like oil?) but it’s so beautiful on my skin, I don’t even mind lol” —gabbiluv11

One of the most versatile products on this list, Chanel’s Baume Essentiel can be applied on eyes, lips, and cheeks to deliver an elegant, soft glow. It comes in seven shades—ranging from a metallic bronze to transparent—and the twist-up stick is super generous, which means the hydrating formula will last you for months.

Customer review: “This product is fabulous! I used it for my lips and absolutely love it!! I shared it with my oldest daughter and now bought one for her. Highly recommend it!!” —Carmen

If you’re looking for a great variety of shades (six!) and a great price point (under $10!), L’Oréal Paris’s True Match Lumi Le Glass Highlighter Stick is your ticket. It’s the creamiest, dreamiest formula, and it adds a lightweight shimmer and shine to skin without disrupting your makeup underneath.

Customer review: “Blends easily, and just one light swipe delivers lots of highlighting! Love this. So easy to keep in purse and applies so nicely. I just rubbed in it with my fingers. Love it!” —LJC

This oil-serum stick has been in my dedicated travel makeup bag for a few months, and I always look forward to using it. It’s the perfect hybrid between a moisturizing balm and a highlighter, and the glow it delivers is more “I just left a facial” than “I just put glitter on my face.” Applied on the tops of cheekbones, it delivers the prettiest glow for up to 12 hours.

Customer review: “I can’t get over how much I love this highlighting stick! The stick format makes it perfect to hit all the right spots and this formula stays there. It doesn’t just get all over! Beyond impressed. Loves!” —Amarie33007

I’ve always said that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually want to wear and reapply—and this Glow Recipe one fits the bill for me. It’s a gorgeous stick formula that leaves skin hydrated and radiant. Plus, it blends skin-brightening niacinamide with SPF 45. Wear it all over the face, then reapply it across your cheekbones throughout the day for extra glow and sun protection.

Customer review: “This is my absolute favorite sunscreen of all time! it doesn’t mess up your makeup at all. it smells amazing, provides great sun protection, and is super cute! i love it so much and am going to repurchase.” —sephoraandlove

This universal highlighter balm was created by makeup artist Violette, who embodies the very essence of cool-girl, effortless French beauty. It’s ideal for cheekbones and under the brow bone. “I specifically made Baume Shine super tiny and chic so that you can take it everywhere for easy touch-ups whenever you want a glass-skin effect,” she says. Even better than its diminutive size is its formula, which delivers a subtle champagne sparkle and skincare benefits with hydrating squalane, plumping hyaluronic acid, and brightening vitamins C and E.

Customer review: “I always switch up my products because I like trying new things, but I’m on my 4th tube of this if that tells you anything. Almost all highlighters I’ve tried have glitter in them, but this truly gives a glass skin glow with no detectable glitter. I can’t speak on how it looks over powder products because I don’t use face powder or blushes, but it looks great on bare skin or over cream blush.” —isisveiled

Shiny, occlusive balms sound like a nightmare if you experience breakouts, but they’re not all created equal. This hydrating stick from Hero Cosmetics is safe for sensitive and acne-prone skin, thanks to ingredients like ceramides, linoleic acid, vitamin E, and lactic acid. It feels a bit oily on contact but quickly melts into skin. I like to use this sparingly on dry spots throughout the day to help refresh my skin and base makeup.

Customer review: “I must have this in my skincare regimen. I love how easy it is to use and apply to my skin. I use it all over, including under my neck. I love how moisturizing and hydrating it is without clogging my pores. Plus it gives my skin a beautiful dewy glow and is perfect for prepping skin before makeup.” —Antonio and Lizz

Meghan Sussex (née Markle) recently dubbed Tatcha’s Serum Stick Treatment as one of her all-time favorite beauty products. (She’s been a fan of the brand for years.) My love for jam and peppermint tea isn’t the only thing I share with her, clearly, because Tatcha’s Serum Stick is often rolling around in the bottom of my handbag for on-the-go touchups. The squalane-rich formula also features Japanese lemon balm and Hadasei-3 to reduce the look of fine lines and keep skin soft while boosting hydration and calming dry patches in a single swipe. I love to dab it under my eyes in the afternoons to refresh cakey concealer.

Customer review: “I am pretty skeptical of anti-wrinkle creams and eye creams in particular, but I am very pleased with this little serum stick. I use it around my eyes primarily and it goes on very silky and feels like a little bit of luxury. Worth every penny. I’ve been using it only two weeks and I’ve had several compliments. So that’s nice!” —GardenHarvester