The viral product to end all highlighters

I’ve been writing about beauty for several years now, so much so that I have a mental filing cabinet full of first-impression swatches, long-wear tests, and odd shade-matching mishaps.

I’ve tried high-end luminizers, tinted moisturizers masquerading as foundations, and pretty much everything in between that can be tested with a foundation brush or sponge. When I first spotted the L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion (yes, I’ll keep saying the full name; it’s worth it), I was curious.

There’s no question about it — the glow market is absolutely saturated. Could this one genuinely stand out? Spoiler: yes, in many ways it does.

Why is everyone hyped about Lumi Glotion?

This radiant elixir, infused with glycerin and shea butter, hydrates your skin while gifting it a liquid gold glow that instantly transforms “just rolled out of bed” into “glow goddess in full effect.”

Whether you smooth it all over for an all-day luminosity, dab it on your cheekbones as a highlighter, or mix it into your moisturizer for that effortless sheen, the Glotion delivers a radiant, lit-from-within finish that never looks overdone. It’s sheer, hydrating, and endlessly versatile.

Size: 1.35 fluid ounces | Key ingredients: Glycerin (for hydration), Shea butter (for moisturizing) |Shade range: 4 shades

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There’s a reason you might have seen a familiar face or two using it. For example, the “beach-glow” routine of Bethenny Frankel includes Lumi Glotion as her savior product for when she needs a radiant, healthy sheen. Then there’s talk that the glamorous skin of Martha Stewart owes at least part of her glow game to this very product.

And while my only 30 seconds of fame comes from me wearing my Statue of Liberty skincare-testing headband on the New York Post Instagram account, I’m another devout fan — with a journalism degree and a knack for all things beauty.

What makes the hype real is a combination of factors: the way the product straddles skincare and makeup (a “glotion” that hydrates and glows rather than only covers), the buildable nature of the finish (you can do a subtle “I woke up like this” glow or layer for more impact) and its versatility (face, body, under makeup, over makeup).

It comes in a range of shades, so you can pick one to match your skin tone or for different application needs; I love that you can opt for a lighter shade for high points and a deeper one to bronze some areas. Key ingredients include glycerin and shea butter, which deliver hydration and softness rather than just sparkle.

The product suite is also generous: you receive the standard 1.35-ounce full-size tube, and you’ll find it sold as an “illuminating glow lotion” that can be used all over. This is true, by the way.

My Review

I approached this with typical beauty writer suspicion: OK, you say you glow. But make me glow.

I chose the shade that matched my neutral-cool undertone (“902 Light”) and tried it in several ways: alone on bare skin, under a tinted moisturizer, and mixed into a lightweight foundation.

First impression: smooth and lightweight texture, leaning more towards a lotion than a cream. It spread easily with my fingers, which I prefer because I felt more in control of placement.

On bare skin, the Lumi Glotion gave me a soft, dewy sheen. Neither glittery nor in your face, but definitely more polished than a moisturizer used solo.

One of the joys of this product is the buildable glow: I started with a thin layer all over and then added a dab to my high cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose. It made me look lke “me, but better”— a bell-shape of radiance without looking greasy. Under foundation, it worked beautifully as a luminous base; I followed with a lightweight tinted foundation, and the finish still glowed through.

How I Use Lumi Glotion

I found the best method is to treat it as both skincare and makeup. On no-makeup days, apply a thin layer all over the face (and neck if you like) after moisturizer, before sunscreen. For makeup days, apply it after moisturizer and before foundation, or mix a small amount into your foundation or tinted moisturizer to amplify glow.

You can also use it as a highlighter or concealer alternative: a dab on cheekbones, bridge of nose, collarbone, or tops of shoulders if you want body glow. I especially liked mixing a drop into my foundation for a moisturized-glow finish.

Additionally, I love buffing it out with a dense brush to serve as my bronzed contour. I use the “903 Medium” shade for that, and it gives that natural or “soft” definition many prefer to the harsh lines contour sticks can create.

How Lumi Glotion Compares to More Expensive Alternatives

I just ran out of my Yves Saint Laurent tinted foundation (that luxe one that offers medium‐to‐full coverage). The Lumi Glotion does not provide the same coverage; the YSL tinted foundation “covers” whereas Lumi is shine and light. However, the buildability (layering glow, mixing with mediums) is similar in spirit, and at a much cheaper price point, the Lumi wins for budget-friendliness.

Impressively, it stands side by side with the Drunk Elephant B-Goldi bronzing drops that took TikTok and everyone’s wallets by storm. When you mix the fan-fave bronzing drops with a dollop of moisturizer, you achieve nearly the same glow as Lumi Glotion. It’s giving the same lit-from-within feel at a fraction of the cost.

And, I found that unlike some other popular drug-store brand foundations, the Lumi did not clog my pores or feel heavy on the skin. I wore the Lumi Glotion and only the Lumi Glotion out to dinner on a date night — where I usually wear a tinted moisturizer at the very least — and I felt fully confident. This stuff is amazing, and I swear it’s worth every hype it receives.

Who is Lumi Glotion best for?

The rundown: who is Lumi Glotion best for? In my view, anyone who values lightweight, buildable glow, a budget-friendly price, and an option that doubles as primer or glow enhancer is a winner. It’s especially suited for normal to dry skin types who love that dewy finish, but it also works for combination skin.

If you’re after full coverage or heavy mattes, this isn’t for you. On the flip side, if you want that healthy skin radiance, this could be your go-to. If I could give it an award or label, I’d call it the best budget glow whisperer because it doesn’t scream highlighter, it whispers, “you glow, naturally.”

Is it worth it? My final verdict

Yes, it is worth it.

For the price (which is dramatically lower than many prestigious glow or bronze drops), the effect is luminous, flattering, and versatile. Lumi Glotion won’t replace your full-coverage foundation if that’s your style, but it will elevate your base, your no-makeup-makeup days, and your glow game overall.

If I were recommending one single glow-lotion for someone new to the category, I’d pick this. The layering possibilities, the feel on skin, and the “you look radiant” effect are strong.

Caveats: if you have very oily skin, you may need to powder the T-zone; if you have severe texture or blemishes, you’ll still need a concealer or foundation on top; if you have very deep skin tones, you might want to swatch carefully to ensure the undertone and depth match you well.

But overall, it’s an excellent value, excellent finish, and I’ll be keeping a backup in my drawer.

How I Tested

I wore the Lumi Glotion over 7 consecutive full days (including one humid NYC subway commute, one outdoor lunch, one indoor air-conditioned coffeeshop workday with bright lighting, and one evening out). However, I’ve been donning this particular formula for years, and decided to put it to my beauty experiment for the purposes of this review.

Each morning, I applied it in one of three ways: alone on bare skin, under a tinted moisturizer and mixed into foundation.

I observed the finish immediately after application, after 4 hours, after 8 hours, and again after 12-plus hours (when relevant). I noted how it felt on my skin (weight, comfort, any stickiness), how it held up (shine, separation, texture accentuation), and how my skin responded (pore appearance, any breakouts, how it layered with other products).

I also compared it to a week where I used no glow-lotion (my usual base) to see the difference.

Lastly, I did side-by-side photos (same lighting) of bare skin versus Lumi base versus standard base to visually assess the glow effect.

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This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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