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Summer dressing can sneak up on you: One day you are wearing jeans in 50-degree weather, and the next you are reaching for lightweight dresses and shorts to combat the humidity and heat. Which means: more skin to show. If your skin looks slightly duller than you'd like due winter months spent inside, don't worry. Now’s the time to reach for the best self-tanners, as well as shimmery body oils and creams to embrace (and fake) a summer glow.
“A body shimmer is the perfect way to finish off a glam look,” says celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta, whose clients include Gigi Hadid and Camila Cabello. “For body highlighters, I’m partial to formulas that focus on enhancing the natural skin and adding moisture through emollients, with the added glowy even tone.”
From oils to creams—and even SPF—shimmer in a bottle comes in a variety of forms. So no matter what your preference is, you can get glowing today with some of our favorite picks below.
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
Two things that scream luxury: sparkle and a hefty bottle of Chanel. This non-sticky oil, made to slather on your hair, body, and face, has golden and copper specks to reflect light and create a soft shimmer perfect for everyday use.
Pros
- Dries fast
Cons
- Strong scent
This high-shine oil contains stabilized vitamin C, olive oil, and squalane for a nourishing, natural glow, and it doubles as a fragrance with notes of jasmine, white musk, and saffron.
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Pros
- Great for dry skin
Cons
- Sheer coverage
Jojoba, apricot kernel, and macadamia oil combine forces in this formula that turns lackluster skin into liquid gold. Apply on damp skin post-shower or pool to lock in hydration.
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
The secret to glowing French girl skin? This shimmer cream from Payot, which contains hydrating jojoba oil to nourish skin and pink quartz microcrystals that look flattering on all skin tones.
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Sol de Janeiro
GlowMotions Glow Body Oil
Pros
- Great shade range
Cons
- Strong Scent
Not only does this shimmer oil add luminosity, but it blurs skin and comes with the brand's iconic scent featuring pistachio, vanilla, and almond. Choose from three gorgeous shades: Copacabana Bronze, a warm-bronze; Rio Sunset, a champagne; and Carnaval Queen, a blush pink.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Shimmer Body Oil
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Light shimmer
When in a pinch, mist this pearlescent shimmer oil for the perfect dose of glow every time. The coconut-vanilla fragrance is seriously addictive—you'll want to wear it every day.
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Pros
- Subtle shimmer
Cons
- Pricey
Costa Brazil's instantly iconic body oil comes in shimmer shades that add the perfect touch of shine. Infused with fatty acids that work to improve texture and tone, as well as nourishing brazil nut oil and acai to revitalize the skin, this golden-hued oil leaves behind a sun-kissed effect.
Moroccanoil
Shimmering Body Oil
Pros
- Great for deeper skin tones
Cons
- Strong scent
Channel a Mediterranean getaway with Moroccanoil's Shimmering Body Oil, which boasts the brand's iconic woody, amber scent and bronzy finish. The pipette packaging makes it easy to add to your favorite moisturizer.
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
A shimmer oil but with the added benefits of sun protection, Coppertone Glow Shimmer Sunscreen boasts both SPF 50 and an illuminating sheen.
Charlotte Tilbury
Supermodel Body Highlighter
Pros
- Easy to apply
Cons
Celebrity makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is known for her iconic glow. In fact, her cult-favorite highlight wands can't stay on the shelves, and her body highlighter stick is equally as in demand. Use the roller applicator to precisely apply to collarbones, shoulders, and down the center of your legs for Tilbury's signature red-carpet-worthy look.
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Fenty Beauty
Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint
Pros
- Sweat-proof
Cons
This gel-cream formula glides right onto the skin and leaves behind a luminous glow, courtesy of babassu oil and vitamin E. Did we mention it's also humidity-, sweat-, and transfer-proof?
Pros
- Quick drying
Cons
- Pricey
Even if you have only one minute before dashing out the door, this Acqua di Parma Shimmering Body Oil will dry quickly while still providing a hydrating glow, thanks to shea butter, pomegranate seed oil, and jojoba oil.
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Supergoop!
Glowscreen Body SPF 40 Body Lotion
Pros
- Great texture
Cons
The cult-favorite Glowscreen sunscreen also comes in a body version to add a subtle shimmer and SPF 40. Light-reflecting particles in this airy lotion create an all-over brightening effect.
Pros
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Not transfer-proof
The finely milled shimmer in this all-over highlighter looks great on everyone and creates a faux-filter appearance on the skin.
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Pros
- Smells great
Cons
- May be too much for sensitive noses
This oil from Tom Ford instantly illuminates the skin and is laced with his beloved Soleil Brûlant scent, which conjures the feeling after a dip in the ocean on a tropical island. It's a must-have whether you're on vacation or just wish you were.
Pros
- Nongreasy
Cons
Sunday Riley's Fairy Godmother Body Oil turns you into a bronzed goddess in seconds. The dry oil instantly sinks into skin and leaves behind loads of hydration from Tahitian gardenia extract and vitamin C.
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Sheer coverage
This illuminating stick is perfect for highlighting on the go. The sheer sparkle makes it the perfect everyday summer staple.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
Embody the Parisian girl lifestyle with this luxe oil that imparts a subtle gleam (partially thanks to moisturizing ingredients like argan oil and shea butter).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use body shimmer?
If you’re a shimmer novice, or looking for something to wear day to day, try mixing your product into body lotion to keep skin hydrated and “bring through your natural shine while not overpowering the look,” Ta says. For more full-coverage glitz, “I prefer separating moisturizer and shimmer steps–especially for red-carpet moments,” he adds.
How do I apply body shimmer without making a mess?
Unfortunately, some body shimmers can leave a glittery trail behind in your bathroom. To make application a breeze, Ta recommends using a body brush. (We like the Fenty Beauty Face & Body Kabuki Brush.) “It gives you immense control and evenly spreads the products. Use a brush that is densely packed, but also gentle on the skin, to ensure a luminous, glossy finish.”
Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Katie Intner
Katie Intner is the associate beauty editor at Harper’s Bazaar across print and digital, where she covers (and tests) everything from the latest aesthetic treatment your dermatologist loves, to science-forward fragrances, to the biggest beauty tech innovations and at-home tools. When Katie is not working on a story or connecting with brands to delve into the latest and greatest formulas, she can be caught scouring a French pharmacy in Paris, or checking out a buzzy new spa or wellness haven. Before joining the Harper’s Bazaar team, Katie held fashion and beauty positions at Nylon, The Zoe Report, and People.