Highlighter: What It Is and How to Use It Properly in Makeup

Highlighter burst into the modern makeup world only recently, but it has already gained huge popularity among makeup artists and fashion enthusiasts looking to improve their skills. A highlighter is a cosmetic product designed to "attract" and "reflect" light rays hitting the skin. This creates a magical glow from within the skin, which looks incredibly striking under stage lights.

The benefits of using this cosmetic product include:

• The effect of glowing skin, freshness, and face contouring. When it comes to the basic rules of contouring, it is important to remember that all problematic areas of the face should be darkened, and all the best features should be highlighted to accentuate them. This is precisely what a highlighter is for. It is applied to areas that enhance the beauty of one's appearance while concealing imperfections.
• Masking wrinkles, correcting contours. With a highlighter, the skin appears healthy and fresh. It can even visually enlarge the eyes, adding a special expressiveness, reduce the nose or add fullness to the lips.

How to use a highlighter

If you're not sure how to use a highlighter yet, follow these step-by-step recommendations. Applying this product requires precision and care; otherwise, it could lead to negative results. If applied incorrectly, the highlighter won't deliver the desired effect and may worsen the appearance, so it's essential to study the application rules before using it.

Which areas of the face to apply a highlighter

Highlighter on cheekbones Here’s a straightforward guide on how to apply a highlighter to different parts of the face:

Eyes. To achieve a visual enlargement of the eyes, apply the product to the inner corners. You can do this with the brush or your fingertips in a tapping motion, then blend evenly.

Cheekbones. For a fresh and groomed look, apply the product to the highest points of the cheekbones. This will create an attractive glow and add dimension to the face, which looks especially impressive when turning the head.

Forehead. To emphasize the freshness of the face, add a highlighter to the forehead and the area between the eyebrows. People with oily skin should avoid this method, as extra shine may resemble sweat drops.

Nose. The highlighter successfully works for visual correction of the nose. You can make it look thinner and shorter. It will appear more refined if you apply the product from the bridge of the nose to the tip without touching the center.

Eyebrow area. To visually raise the brow line, apply the highlighter on the upper line and a little under the arch, then blend with a brush. This will also open up the eyes and make them appear more radiant. Day makeup should use a more subtle highlighter, while for evening makeup, a glittery product can be used.

Lips. If you want to add slight plumpness and volume to your lips, apply a small amount to the dip in the center above the upper lip and below the lower lip.

Types of highlighter

Liquid

If you're new to highlighter makeup and unsure how much to apply, it's better to start with a liquid formula, which is harder to overdo. It can be mixed with foundation for a natural result. The liquid highlighter also creates a moisturized skin effect but should not be combined with powder.

Serum

For dry skin types, this is the optimal option as it naturally moisturizes and adds a natural glow. Creamy This type of highlighter is ideal for correcting larger areas, such as the forehead, cheekbones, nose, and chin contour. It absorbs well and stays on the skin for a long time. The cream highlighter should be applied to the skin previously covered with foundation, using fingers or a beauty blender. It is commonly found in palettes, which are multifunctional products that can replace other cosmetic items in some cases.

Powder

The texture of a powder highlighter is similar to mineral powder. It is optimal for use on oily skin, either over powder-based products or foundation, accentuating the cheekbones, nose, lips, and eye areas.

Stick

A highlighter stick or pencil is easy to apply and distribute, and thanks to its ergonomic packaging, it fits in purses of any size. What to use for applying a highlighter Before choosing an applicator, consider the product’s texture. However, in most cases, both in salons and daily use, regular tools are used. Liquid and cream formulas are comfortably applied with fingers, a synthetic concealer or foundation brush, or a sponge. Powdered highlighter is best applied with a fluffy fan-shaped or voluminous brush. This saves product.

Choosing a shade:

Highlighter shades Recommendations on how to use a highlighter depending on your skin tone will help make the right choice, master the technique, and create an unforgettable makeup look. It's worth noting that selecting the right shade isn’t as easy as it seems. The tube could be filled with a thick substance with a peachy hue or a semi-transparent liquid. In this case, you should consider the tone of your own skin.

• Light skin looks great with a highlighter that has a pearl shimmer. The delicate pearl particles will add radiance and a beautiful glow to your skin.
• Tanned, bronze skin will look perfect with a golden, warm, or copper highlighter.
• A red undertone of skin should be corrected with a pinkish highlighter.

Note that highlighters always contain shimmering particles in shades of bronze, silver, or gold. Before choosing the decorative cosmetic product that best suits you, perform a test. If gold jewelry suits you, choose a highlighter with gold particles. Those who wear silver, platinum, or white gold should opt for a silver or pink shade.

The difference between a highlighter and a concealer

Many people mistakenly think that a concealer and a highlighter are the same thing. However, the former is used as a tone corrector and to hide imperfections. A concealer is great for people with dark circles under the eyes, pigmentation spots, or redness on various parts of the face.

In such cases, using a highlighter will only draw attention to problematic areas. That’s why you should first apply a concealer, and only then correct and accentuate your appearance using a highlighter.