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Top Body Shimmers to Buy Now
There are days when bare skin feels best, and others (say a wedding, a rooftop dinner, or a night out on vacation) when you want a little something extra. That’s where body shimmers come in. With just a few drops, the best ones add warmth, dimension, and a healthy-looking sheen that catches the light in all the right ways.
2025 has brought a fresh wave of options to choose from: L’Occitane, Fenty Beauty, and Patrick Ta have all launched new or reformulated body shimmers, namely in balms and oil-based formulations. Also this year, model Jasmine Tookes launched beauty brand Brunel with just three products, one of them a body shimmer. The appeal is easy to understand: they’re the kind of thing you reach for post-shower and pre-event to make skin look instantly better. When done right, the finish is smooth and streak-free and the shimmer refined, never transferring to your summer dresses, bathing suits, or white tees.
Today’s offerings span a range of formats and finishes, from shimmer body sprays to lotion hybrids, with results that vary from soft and dewy to high-gloss and radiant. But while the options are plentiful, not all of them perform equally well.
Our editorial team tried 15 formulas, including oils, sprays, lotions, and creams, to find the ones that check all the boxes: even application, zero streaking, and a finish that actually lasts. Some deliver a sheer, just-back-from-vacation glow; others lean richer, with light-reflecting pigments and true bronze color payoff.
A few surprised us with unexpected skin care benefits (think softening plant-based oils, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and more) while others nailed the no-transfer claim. Whether you want something to layer over your favorite sunscreen for a beach day or a shimmer body mist to make gleam on the dance floor, these formulas are worth it.
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Nuxe Huile Prodegieuse Or Multi-Purpose Dry Body Oil
A French pharmacy staple that regularly holds high honors on Amazon’s beauty bestseller lists, Nuxe’s classic Dry Body Oil is a low-stakes entry point to the body shimmer category. The under-$35 formula is more transparent than it is opaque, making it friendly for all skin tones and difficult to mess up. Where other body shimmers we tested demanded a brush or mitt for even, streak-free application, this one wasn’t messy or streaky when massaged on the skin with bare hands.
Our testers found this body shimmer to dry down more quickly than alternatives we tested, making it our favorite choice for humid climates or daytime wear. Choose the classic gold shade for skin-enhancing warmth, or opt for the rose shade that adds a flattering flush.
Price upon publish date of this article: $32
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
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Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Oil
Sol de Janeiro does beach-ready body care best. The Brazilian-inspired line is TikTok famous for its body mists and lotions with delicious tropical fragrance profiles, and its Glowmotions Glow Oil packs those scents into formulas full of plant-based oils. The Sol de Janeiro body shimmers come in three shades, including a light champagne tone, a richer gold hue, and a limited-edition rose gold.
One tester notes that these shimmery body oils provided solid color payoff on the skin, enriching natural undertones for more depth and, depending on the tone you choose, the look of a little self tanner. The fragrance is strong enough that you can wear it in place of perfume; the notes of salted caramel, sandalwood, almond, and pistachio read like a luxury gourmand scent.
Price upon publish date of this article: $36
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Patrick Ta Major Glow Nourishing Bronzing Body Oil
Of all the bronzing body oils we tested, Patrick Ta’s new release was the most transfer-resistant — a rare find in a category where shimmer often ends up on everything but your skin. Unlike formulas packed with visible flecks of glitter, this one is completely sparkle-free. Instead, it leaves behind a hydrated, luminous finish that reads more like healthy skin than highlighter.
The silky texture blends in easily, disappears on contact, and dries down fast, making it an ideal option for weddings, white outfits, or anywhere you need your glow to stay put.
Price upon publish date of this article: $52
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Fenty Beauty Body Lava Body Luminizer
What’s unique about Fenty Beauty’s Body Lava is that it delivers its glow through a glossy, oil-rich formula rather than a heavy amount of glitter or shimmer. The finish is more dewy than sparkly — ideal for dry skin or anyone after that glass-skin effect from the neck down.
Its dense, balmy texture means a little goes a long way, though our testers found it easy to dilute with a few pumps of basic body lotion (this is also a great way for more oily skin types to avoid it feeling heavy or greasy on a hot day). For mess-free application, sweep it on with the brand’s Kabuki brush, which helps to blend the product evenly across larger areas like arms and legs without streaking.
Price upon publish date of this article: $59
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Iconic London Glow All Over Melting Balm Stick
This twist-up balm stick from Iconic London was the most understated body shimmer we tested — subtle enough for glitter-averse users, but still effective at warming up the skin. On very fair tones, the tint shows up with a hint of color; on deeper complexions, it adds a soft veil of warmth without altering undertones.
The solid format makes it especially travel-friendly (most body shimmer oils are at risk for messy leaks in your luggage), and the built-in brush on the opposite end allows for quick, mess-free blending. Squalane and a blend of seven plant-based oils make skin feel soft and supple wherever you swipe it on.
Price upon publish date of this article: $30
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Brunel Golden Hour Glow Oil
From model and tastemaker Jasmine Tookes’ debut beauty brand Brunel, this shimmery glow oil feels as elevated as it looks. Housed in a weighty glass bottle, the formula has a watery texture that diffuses beautifully on skin (a narrow dispenser lends good control of how much product you shake out).
The golden tone is remarkably neutral, flattering a range of skin tones without skewing too yellow or bronze. It sinks in quickly, leaving behind a hydrated, softly radiant finish, subtly enhanced by a sophisticated jasmine and sandalwood scent. Bonus: the formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, plus caffeine for a temporary firming effect.
Price upon publish date of this article: $53
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
L’Occitane Almond Shimmering Oil
Of all the oil body shimmers we tested, this was among the sheerest — a featherlight oil with micro-fine shimmer that gives skin a subtle, light-catching finish without veering into glittery territory. It sinks in quickly, but doesn’t disappear; the hydration lingers, leaving behind a slightly glossy sheen that feels nourishing rather than greasy.
The star ingredient of this body shimmer, sweet almond oil, softens skin on contact and imparts the line’s signature warm, gourmand scent. Despite its ultra-fluid texture, this one didn’t transfer onto clothes — even a white linen dress — making it a foolproof pick.
Price upon publish date of this article: $54
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Sparkling Body Oil
One tester managed to get through an entire bottle of this luxury body shimmer oil from Maison Francis Kurkdjian in just a few months, wearing it regularly in place of the brand’s bestselling Baccarat Rouge 540 perfume.
It’s a lightweight oil that absorbs well into the skin, leaving glistening limbs — not a greasy feel — in its wake. The flecks of shimmer are so fine that they practically disappear on the surface of your skin as you apply it, creating a healthy skin effect without ever reading flashy. Those who find the original Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance too strong for everyday wear will appreciate that this option reads lighter and more summer-friendly.
Price upon publish date of this article: $215
Kopari Golden Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist SPF 50 Sunscreen
If you’re after a shimmer body spray to pair with a bathing suit, this SPF 50 option from Kopari was our top pick. It stood out from similar formulas for its ultra-glossy finish, which made skin look radiant and beach-ready in seconds. The fine mist format offers easy, even coverage — especially on hard-to-reach spots like the back of the legs — while hyaluronic acid and vitamins C and E deliver hydration and antioxidant protection. Just give it a full minute to dry before slipping on a coverup to avoid any transfer.
Price upon publish date of this article: $39
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To find the best body shimmer products on the market, WWD Shop editors researched top-rated options across categories — from shimmer body oils to mists, lotions, and balms — and considered bestsellers, buzzy new launches, and formulas with consistently high customer reviews. Our panel of testers evaluated 15 different body shimmers in consideration for this article, assessing factors like texture, ease of application, scent, transfer resistance, and finish on multiple skin tones. We also considered packaging details (dropper vs. pump vs. spray), how each formula layered with sunscreens or body lotions, and how it held up in real-world settings like humid weather and evening events. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is a contributing commerce editor for WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion, and lifestyle stories. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She’s tested hundreds of products during her time as an editor, so she’s well-versed in selecting the products that make a meaningful difference in your skin and hair.