I can't live without this Sarah Jessica Parker-approved highlighter stick

If there are two things you need to know about me, it's that I love makeup and I hate putting in any effort to wear said makeup. Totally normal, right? That's why I've always gravitated towards simpler, fool-proof products that pack a big punch and look natural without needing to watch a YouTube tutorial... or three. While I'm constantly switching up what's inside my makeup bag, the one easy product I keep repurchasing is the Merit Day Glow Dewy Highlighting Balm.

Whether I'm wearing a full beat or going au naturel, the highlighter is the cherry on top of my beauty routine. A few easy swipes along my cheekbones, temples, nose and above my cupid's bow and there's suddenly life in my face.

It's also the same highlighter that Sarah Jessica Parker, 59, wears. She notably swiped on this light-reflecting balm for the season two premiere of And Just Like That — where she looked downright luminous, I might add. If my 29-year-old self and SJP both reach for the same highlighter, that's gotta count for something.

The first time I used the highlighting balm I didn't wear any base makeup. Instead, I just layered it over my sunscreen — which is something I had never done before. Unlike previous highlighters I've used that create a glittery sheen, this one left a touch of dewiness and subtle shimmer. The high points of my face looked, well, high — especially my nonexistent cheekbones. It also works just as well with a full face of foundation.

I also love how thoughtfully made this product is — it really is the "balm" it claims to be. It's stocked with an abundance of skin-nourishing ingredients, including a plant-based squalane to keep things hydrated, plump and moisturized and an amino acid blend to minimize moisture loss and support a healthy skin barrier. Not only does this highlighter look great on, it may improve your skin the more you wear it. I have acne-prone skin, so I'm always careful about what products I use on my face. This makeup stick never breaks me out. For what it's worth, one Sephora shopper with dry and eczema-prone skin says it's "the actual best highlighter" and "just melts in seamlessly and gives such a natural glow."

Now, if you've never used stick makeup before, get ready for your life to change. All you need to do is swipe the stick wherever you want a little shine and glow, lightly dab it in with your fingers and you're suddenly a radiant, highlighted queen.

I have fair skin and live and breathe by Cava, a champagne-y shade that gives my complexion a luminous and hydrated glow. However, the highlighter comes in three other shades: Bounce (rose gold), Citrine (soft gold) and Solstice (neutral bronze). If you want to get fancy, you can mix and match the shades to highlight different points of your face.

What reviewers say

Thousands of other shoppers are fans of the swipe n' shine look of the Merit highlighter, giving it a perfect five-star review. Hold on tight: You're going to see the word "glow" come up a lot.

"I was surprised by how much I enjoyed using this product," shared one verified Merit shopper. "I don't use highlighters and I wasn't expecting much from this one, but it adds a nice glow to the skin without being glittery or overshadowing the rest of the face."

"As a highlight[er] lover I was cautiously optimistic about this product," explained a second Merit customer. "It's smooth with incredible staying power and will give you that glass-like skin with a healthy glow." The reviewer also noted that they paired it with the Merit Minimalist foundation stick ($38).

"Perfect glowy highlight for natural/daytime makeup looks," described a Sephora fan. "I don’t like heavy makeup/glitter and this one has a really pretty natural glow in the sun, not glittery at all."

One quick thing to note? The smell. I personally have no problem with it and think it smells like any other fragrance-free stick/balm cosmetic product, but some customers take issue. "This is a really pretty and naturally glowy highlighter," wrote one Sephora shopper before adding that the "only issue" is that it "smells of melted crayons."

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.