I’m one of those people who feels half-dressed without highlighter. If my cheekbones aren’t catching the light, I feel a bit unfinished. Because I’m quite pale with combination skin, white and near-white highlighters are what I reach for the most. Lately I’ve been switching back and forth between two: Ofra Glazed Donut and the Saem highlighter in the shade Idol White.

On paper they sound similar: both “white” highlighters in a compact, both meant to give you that bright, lifted look. On my face, though, they live in totally different universes. One is proper blinding, the other is more of a low-key glow, and how much texture they emphasise is a big deal for my late-teen, slightly textured combo skin.

Here’s how they actually behave in normal life, not just in swatches.

Ofra Glazed Donut: full studio-light glow

Ofra Glazed Donut is the dramatic one. In the pan it looks like pure white powder, almost like pressed icing sugar. Once it’s on the skin, it turns into a very cool, silvery highlight. There is no warmth at all. If you like icy highlighter, this leans straight into that.

The texture feels quite creamy for a pressed powder. When I run my finger through it, it picks up a lot of pigment in one go, and a brush does the same. One light tap on a small fluffy brush is honestly enough for both cheeks. If I get carried away and load the brush too much, it goes from glow to “metal strip on my face” in about two seconds.

On my combination skin, it can definitely draw attention to texture if I overdo it. If I apply a thin layer and keep it mainly on the very tops of my cheekbones, it smooths over things fairly well and just looks extremely reflective. If I drag it too far down into an area where I have more pores, that’s when it starts to show every little bump. So it’s very much a “less is more” situation.

The finish is where it really stands out. It looks almost wet, like you’ve got a light pointed straight at your face. There is sparkle there, but it’s more fine shimmer and pearl than chunky glitter. On the tops of the cheeks, the tip of the nose, brow bone and inner corners, it properly pops. If I want people to actually notice my highlight in photos, this is the one I trust.

In terms of wear time, Ofra is the clear winner. Even when my T-zone gets oily during the day, the highlight itself hangs on. By the time I get home, it has softened a tiny bit but it is very much still visible. If I have a long day or I’m out in the evening and I know there will be pictures, this is the highlighter I automatically throw in my makeup bag.

The catch is that it is not subtle. It is bright, cool and quite intense, which means it is not the easiest to wear for a casual, everyday look if you prefer something barely there. It can emphasise texture if you pack too much on, especially around pores. It is also much more expensive than the Saem one, roughly four times the price from what I have seen, so it feels like more of a treat than a casual purchase. But if you love drama and don’t mind a bit of effort with your brush, Ofra delivers that proper “seen from across the room” glow.

The Saem Idol White: soft, ivory-leaning highlight

The Saem highlighter in Idol White sits in a very different place. Next to Ofra, the difference is obvious. The base looks more ivory than pure white, so it has a tiny hint of warmth rather than being completely icy. On the skin that makes it a bit less stark, especially if your undertone is not super cool.

When I dip my brush in, the powder feels drier and lighter. It behaves much more like a classic pressed highlighter rather than a creamy, dense formula. The payoff is still there, but it does not come off in one huge swipe in the same way Ofra does. I can build it up gradually without that sudden jump from subtle to “mirror.”

The overall effect is softer. Instead of a sharp, metallic strip, Idol White gives more of a gentle sheen. It definitely shows up on my cheekbones and you can see it catch the light, but it sits closer to a satin or soft shimmer finish than a full metal shine. On my combination skin, that makes it kinder to texture. It doesn’t highlight every bump and pore in the same way, so I feel more relaxed about using it on days when my skin is not at its best.

Because the tone is a touch warmer and the formula is less intense, it feels safer for everyday wear. I can dust it on before school or a casual day out and it looks like a natural glow rather than a full glam moment. It gives more of an “oh, your skin looks bright” effect instead of “oh, your highlighter is very obvious.”

Where it falls behind Ofra is impact and staying power. On its own, without anything to compare it to, it looks like a decent, visible highlight. But when I wear Ofra on one cheek and the Saem on the other, the Ofra side always catches my eye first in the mirror. By the end of the day, the Saem highlight has faded down to a softer sheen, while Ofra is still very noticeable. It is not that the Saem disappears completely, but it does not hold that freshly-applied punch for as long.

The big positive for Idol White is the price. It costs about a quarter of what Ofra does. If you are working with a smaller budget, or you just want to experiment with a white-leaning highlighter without spending too much, the Saem is a much easier option. It is also a lot more forgiving for quick, everyday makeup, because the finish is gentler and less likely to shout “I’m wearing loads of highlighter” in bright daylight.

How they sit on my late-teen combo skin

Because my skin is combination, what I really notice with both of these is how they deal with texture and oil through the day.

Ofra Glazed Donut is amazing for glow, but unforgiving if I am not careful. If I apply it over a smoother base and keep the application light, it looks like a liquid light beam on my cheekbones and holds up even as my T-zone gets shiny. If I am having a rougher skin day, it will absolutely point out every tiny bump if I drag it too far inwards. So for Ofra, I take my time, use a soft brush and stay on the very tops of the high points.

The Saem Idol White is a bit more relaxed. Because it is less metallic and slightly warmer, it smooths over things instead of shouting about them. I can be a bit messier with application and it still looks fine, especially in natural daylight. The downside is that by the end of a school day it looks more like a faint glow rather than a defined streak of highlight, but for something that lives on my face for college and errands, I do not mind that too much.

On my nose and inner corners, Ofra gives that really strong, almost editorial brightness, which I love for nights out or photos. The Saem is nicer when I just want a bit of light without emphasising every pore on the tip of my nose. Around my brow bone, both work, but again Ofra reads more dramatic while the Saem just gives a gentle lift.

When I use which one

The easiest way to explain how I use them is by mood and occasion.

If I am going out in the evening, taking lots of photos with friends, or doing a full glam eye look, I nearly always pick Ofra Glazed Donut. It makes my cheekbones look like they have been plugged into a ring light and it shows up from every angle. I just take a bit more care with where I place it and how much I use.

If I am doing a quick face for lessons, hanging out after school, or I just want to look a bit more awake without going full drama, I use the Saem Idol White. It is easier to throw on without thinking about every pore on my cheeks, and the softer finish feels more casual.

I actually like having both in my drawer. Ofra is my “going all out” highlighter, the one I save for days when I want my makeup to look properly extra. The Saem is more of a day-to-day option that still lets me have that white-highlight look but with less intensity and less attention on texture.

If I had to pick only one to keep, I would personally choose Ofra Glazed Donut, just because I love that icy, reflective finish and the way it lasts. The price hurts a bit more, but the effect makes sense for me when I really want my highlighter to be the star. That said, I do not regret buying the Saem at all. For the price, it is a solid, wearable white-based highlighter that fits easily into an everyday routine.

So if you are trying to decide between them

Go for Ofra if you want a blinding, silver, long-wear highlight and you are happy to spend more and be careful with application.

Go for the Saem if you prefer a softer ivory glow that is kinder to texture and kinder to your bank account.

And if you are as obsessed with highlighter as I am, you will probably find a reason to keep both.