12 Best Body Shimmers to Make You Shine Like a Star

Highlighter does a beautiful job of making our features pop and adding glamor to a look. What if you could do the same for your body? Applying a wash of glow to your legs or a pop of shimmer along the collarbone is a long-held celebrity red carpet secret. 

Now it’s your turn to go glam from head to toe, especially if you have a special event or beachside vacation coming up. From pigmented body highlighters to subtly glowy lotions, we’ve selected the best body shimmers for anyone who wants to add more sparkle to their life. 

Best body shimmer overview:

• Best overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Shimmer Body Oil
• Best budget: Vaseline Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil 
• Best splurge: Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
• Best lotion: Florence by Mills Mirror Magic Illuminating Body Moisturizer
• Best SPF: Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50
• Best highlight: Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body
• Best oil: Patrick Ta Major Glow Body Oil
• Best tinted: Fenty Beauty Body Sauce Body Luminizing Tint
• Best shades: Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Body Oil
• Best budget SPF: Coppertone Glow Shimmer SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
• Best fragranced lotion: Victoria’s Secret Shimmer Fragrance Lotion
• Best self-tanner: Tan-Luxe The Butter Illuminating Tanning Butter

How we chose the best body shimmers

To compile this list, we researched manufacturer specifications, including the type of base, scents, shades, and more, to create a short list of the top body shimmer lotions and oils. Then, we combed through detailed product descriptions, ratings, and reviews to find the best body shimmer for each category.

Our picks for the best body shimmer

You can’t go wrong with the Anastasia Beverly Hills body oil, which delivers enough glow for glamorous evenings without making you feel like you’re covered in sparkles. It distributes a fine layer of delicate shimmer over the skin, but as the light hits, you’ll notice a few pops of glitter. A spray applicator makes it extra simple to apply. 

The oil base is not too greasy but offers some light moisturizing effects, thanks to jojoba and almond oils. It glides on smoothly, and once it dries down, it shouldn’t transfer onto your clothes. Reviewers loved it for its pleasant texture and delicious coconut-vanilla scent.

Scented: Yes | Type: Oil | Shades: 1

This affordable ultra-moisturizing body oil will light up your skin. The mineral oil-based formula locks in moisture while adding a healthy, lasting sheen. Plus, it’s infused with golden flecks that add a warm glow.

This body oil was designed to flatter deeper skin tones (in collaboration with influential Black women) but the un-tinted formula will flatter all skin tones easily. Some reviewers felt that it was a little too rich for their skin, but you’ll love it if you’re prone to dryness.

Scented: Yes | Type: Oil | Shades: 1

Tom Ford’s ultra-luxurious body oil is an excellent option if you’re after a visible touch of sparkle. The shimmer-to-oil ratio isn’t too high, so it adds an exciting touch of sparkle rather than an all-over, dense highlight.

That said, you can expect some glow to come from the moisturizing effect of jojoba and olive oils. The scent is an upscale hybrid of white florals and deep sandalwood that’s especially refreshing in the summer.

Scented: Yes | Type: Oil | Shades: 1

Envelop your skin in something sweet and glowy with this body shimmer lotion. It gives the skin a subtle, pearlescent glow, which is perfect if you’re not interested in warm golds. It’s not as intense as some of the other body shimmers on our list, but that’s what makes it stand out.

It’s an ideal option for teens or anyone who wants a hint of shimmer rather than an overwhelming glow. Why? The formula is light and hydrating, adding the perfect dose of moisture for daily use. The scent combines coconut and vanilla notes, so it’s perfect if you’re a fan of delicate smells.

Scented: Yes | Type: Lotion | Shades: 1

Get into the summer spirit with this golden sunscreen. This formula is infused with a dazzling gold shimmer that catches the sun beautifully while protecting your skin from harsh rays. 

This SPF 50 formula is dependable and waterproof for up to 40 minutes. With a blend of tropical oils, it’ll keep your skin nourished, although bear in mind that it’s a little oilier than some reviewers expected. The coconut milk scent is sweet, creamy, and guaranteed to put you in a beachy mood.

Scented: Yes | Type: SPF-infused oil-gel | Shades: 2

If you’re after that intense strobed sheen only a liquid highlighter can provide, do yourself a favor and pick up Supermodel Body. This cream highlighter is packed with a fine, reflective shimmer that creates an illuminating glow without obvious bits of sparkle.

It only comes in one shade, but its golden allure is universally flattering to all skin tones. It comes as a creamy lotion that also includes glycerin and rosehip oil to moisturize the skin thoroughly.

Scented: Yes | Type: Tinted cream highlighter | Shades: 1

This light, non-greasy body oil brings the perfect level of glow for any occasion. The shimmer is fine and not too densely distributed, so it brightens the skin and adds a touch of sparkle without being over the top. The base is transparent, so the three available shades will suit all skin tones.

The oil is runny at first but dries down quickly. It nourishes the skin with ingredients like squalane and olive oil. Fragrance plays just as big a role in the sensory pleasure of the formula, with a clean, sophisticated blend of jasmine, saffron, and ambergris.

Scented: Yes | Type: Oil | Shades: 3

This dazzling tint doubles as a body highlighter and ultra-light foundation, so it’s best saved for days when you want to make jaws drop. It has a touch of coverage to perfect your skin tone and finely milled reflective minerals that provide a radiant glow. 

The formula is a light gel-cream that sets down to a transfer-proof finish. It’s longwearing, so it won’t come off on your clothes, though some reviewers noted that it needs to be rubbed into the skin quickly to avoid streaks.

If you like the idea of a Fenty glow, but you’re not interested in a tint, Fenty’s limited-edition shimmering Butta Drop Body Cream deserves a mention. The brand frequently releases different scents and shimmer shades, so keep an eye out for it.

Scented: Yes | Type: Tinted gel-cream | Shades: 7

Sol de Janeiro is a brand that doesn’t play around. This body oil brings a massive glow, made with a vibrant formula that creates an almost metallic effect on the skin. It comes in three shades: bronze, pink, and gold. The colors themselves give the skin a tint, but they’re not too pigmented, so they’ll work well across skin tones.  

Though it has an oily texture, the formula is very makeup-like, with a smooth texture that sets to a transfer-resistant finish. That said, it may transfer if you layer it over a moisturizer, so use it on its own. This body oil is made with Sol de Janeiro’s signature sweet pistachio and salted caramel scent, which is a crowd-pleaser.

Scented: Yes | Type: Tinted oil | Shades: 3

Glow in the sun without getting burned with this highly protective spray sunscreen. It’s a breeze to apply, and it leaves the skin covered in a fine shimmer that reflects light beautifully. Because it’s a spray, it’s quick and easy to apply and reapply as necessary throughout the day.

Once it dries down, it’s waterproof for up to 80 minutes, so you’ll be able to enjoy the sheen both in and out of the ocean. That said, underapplying spray sunscreens is a common issue, so spray it on generously to achieve full SPF protection.

Scented: Yes | Type: Sunscreen spray | Shades: 1

There’s something so retro and fun about Victoria’s Secret scented lotions, from the sparkly packaging to the playful scents. This shimmer lotion has a sweet floral, fruit, and almond scent that reviewers raved can last for ages. 

The formula is quite moisturizing, leaving the skin feeling soft. The shimmer is widely distributed, meaning you can expect noticeable pops of sparkle on your skin rather than an all-over glow. We think this adds to the playful feel of the product, although for some, the overall effect might seem childish.

Scented: Yes | Type: Lotion | Shades: 1

Give yourself a glowy tan with this luxurious self-tanner. It goes on the skin just like a moisturizer but gradually deepens the skin tone, giving you a sunless, bronzed look. The butter is infused with pretty illuminating flakes that leave the skin just a little shimmery.

This formula is very moisturizing, with ingredients like almond, coconut, and raspberry oils to lock in hydration and keep the skin supple. While it does include a fragrance, some users mentioned that it didn’t do a great job masking the self-tanner smell.

Scented: Yes | Type: Self-tanning butter | Shades: 1

Glow from head to toe 

Body shimmers can do more than just illuminate your skin. These formulas also nourish, protect, and moisturize. You can’t go wrong with our top pick, Anastasia Beverly Hills Body Shimmer Oil, thanks to its crowd-pleasing dry oil texture and its perfect level of noticeable but not intense shimmer.

How to pick the right body shimmer for you

When choosing the best body shimmer for you, don’t forget to consider your skin type and desired look so you can pick the right formula and shimmer level. 

Base

• Oil. Oil body shimmers are the most popular because they spread easily. The oil often adds to the glowy effect. Some feel oilier, while others contain dry-feeling emollients. 
• Lotion. Body shimmer lotions sink into the skin faster since they contain some water. They usually have a sheer distribution of shimmer, so their effects are subtle.  
• Spray. Spray body shimmers are usually oils in reality. The pump dispensers are convenient to use, although you’ll probably still need to rub the product into your skin. 

Shimmer

• Sheer. Most body oils are on the sheer side with a touch of sparkle. They’re excellent if you want a subtle bit of glow that’s more noticeable in the sun. 
• Pigmented. Some formulas, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Supermodel Body, are more like body makeup, with a high shimmer-to-base ratio. They cover the skin in many reflective particles, leading to a highlighter-like effect rather than pops of glow. 
• Chunky. Some formulas, especially body lotions, have large flecks of shimmer. They’re not as effective for creating a diffused, dewy highlight over the skin but have a fun and playful outcome.
• Tinted. Some products, like Fenty Body Sauce, have a higher level of pigmentation that makes them double as body foundation. You can go a little deeper for a bronzed look or choose a close match to even out your skin tone. 

Skin type

• Dry. Look for more nourishing oil or lotion formulas. You can also layer your body shimmer over a thick layer of moisturizer. 
• Oily. Look for dry oil formulas that are described as light or quick to set. 
• Balanced/combination. If your skin is neither too dry nor too oily, you can use both lotions and oils. 

FAQ

What type of body glow do celebrities use? 

For the red carpet, celebrities usually opt for pigmented body makeup products, like Fenty Body Sauce or Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel, over more shimmery oils. In other cases, celebrity makeup artists will simply layer face highlighter over body makeup. 

Is body shimmer good for your skin?

Body shimmer can be excellent for your skin. Most formulas are designed not just to give the skin a glow but also moisturize and nourish. For daytime, body shimmers with SPF will protect your skin from the sun.  

What does body shimmer spray do?

Body shimmer sprays add a glow to the skin, with an easy applicator that allows you to mist the product on directly. These formulas are often oil-based, so they tend to be moisturizing, too.