Some common mistakes when applying a makeup highlighter include using too much product and highlighting textured areas. But if you use less highlighter and finish with a setting powder, you’ll find it’s easier to get the results you want.
If you appreciate a good photo finish or dream of owning a curated makeup cabinet, you need a makeup highlighter. It’s designed to add glow and brightness to your complexion.
But there are a few factors that could keep you from Instagram-worthy highlighter results. Low-quality products and heavy application are three of the biggest reasons people struggle to love their makeup highlighter.
If you want to love your makeup highlighter (but don’t yet), here are some tips for how to use it like a pro…
What Is a Makeup Highlighter?
A highlighter is a makeup product commonly used with contouring. The goal is to add a natural glow and dewy finish to the face without it looking cakey. Makeup highlighters come in many shapes and sizes, as well as in powder, liquid, and stick form. It’s applied anywhere on the face that naturally catches the light — like the nose, Cupid’s bow, and above the cheekbones.
The Benefits of Using a Makeup Highlighter
Makeup highlighter became popular about ten years ago, but it’s been used by celebrity makeup artists and on-screen performers for much longer. If you’re just catching up with the trend, here are a few reasons to add makeup highlighter to your daily routine.
The airbrushed effect
Combined with the right bronzer and blush, a makeup highlighter adds depth and an airbrushed finish to your complexion. It’s the one product we recommend for an Instagram filter complexion.
It’s used by makeup artists
It’s their best-kept secret. Makeup artists know how to apply makeup highlighter so well it’s difficult to tell the difference between natural shine and carefully applied products.
Definition and depth
Use your highlighter to accentuate your bone structure and create definition. Modern makeup application is no longer flat but celebrates the natural movement and structure in every face.
Builds a dewy finish
The popular dewy look relies heavily on a well-applied highlighter. Even though your product may not have a natural sheen, the light color brightens the skin and creates a warm and glowy appearance.
How to Use a Makeup Highlighter
You’ll apply your makeup highlighter after all of your other makeup. Use a precise brush, minimal product, and finish with a setting powder.
Begin with makeup primer
A combination of makeup and skincare, the goal of a primer is to improve your makeup application and wear time. Since highlighters can accentuate fine lines and uneven skin, a primer is a must-have first step for ideal results.
Apply foundation
Use a nourishing foundation, like our Liquid Foundation, that contains aloe vera, shea butter, and vitamin E. Apply your foundation as normal, using a foundation brush or sponge.
Apply contour
Bronzer works together with your highlighter to sculpt and define your bone structure (this effect is called contour). To contour, you typically use three products: bronzer, cream blush, and highlighter. Apply bronzer first, then cream blush, and then any eye makeup.
Apply makeup highlighter
Now it’s time to apply your makeup highlighter. It’s really meant to accentuate the lines and definition you already created with bronzer and blush. Use small amounts of highlighter on a precise brush and apply to areas that naturally catch the light. For extra brightness, you can add a luminizer.
Finish with a setting powder
Contour requires a lot of blending and precise application. Since you don’t want it to shift on your face throughout the day, you need to finish with a setting powder for extra hold. You can use a mineral makeup for this or a translucent setting powder.
Where Should You Apply Makeup Highlighter?
The makeup highlighter graphics you see on Instagram aren’t the best representation of where you should apply your highlighter. Less is more. You’ll want to add subtle amounts of highlighter to your skin anywhere the light naturally hits.
Above your cheekbones
Start in the middle of your cheekbone and blend it out. Usually, you don’t need to draw a line across your entire cheekbone, since this will look overdone.
The tip of your nose
Start with a subtle line across the bridge of your nose. We find that a circular application is too heavy, and a line or a dot gets a better result.
Cupid’s bow and bottom of your lip
To accentuate your lips, apply a little highlighter to your Cupid’s bow. You can even add it to the pillowy section of your bottom lip to make it appear larger.
Your chin
If you want to accentuate your bone structure, you can add makeup highlighter to your chin. Just dab in a circular motion right where the light would hit and blend it out.
Your forehead
If you use a lot of bronzer, it may be helpful to add light to your forehead. Apply it in a small triangular shape (with the point toward your nose).
Inner corners of your eyes
Once you’ve finished your eyeshadow, you can add light and depth by dabbing a bit of highlighter in the inner corners of your eyes. Apply lightly with a small brush for best results.
Dos and Don’ts of Using Highlighter
Makeup highlighter is a powerful tool in your makeup bag — but only if you use it right. Some common mistakes include applying too much product, forgetting to use makeup primer, or using too many dewy products.
Don’t use too much
This is the number one mistake we see with highlighter application. Too much product can accentuate uneven skin and leave chunky residue on the cheeks. It’s best to start with much less product than you think you’ll need and work up from there.
Do use a matte base
It may seem counterintuitive if you’re going for the dewy glow, but starting with matte makeup is the best way to create that airbrushed finish. This will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and give you all-day wear. Just use your highlighter to achieve the proper glow.
Do use a concealer as a highlighter
Yes, you can use concealer as a highlighter. This is best for mature skin, since it hides imperfections and uneven skin better than a typical highlighter. Just don’t be too heavy-handed with the concealer.
Do use a precise brush
You don’t want to use the same brush you apply blush or bronzer with. Instead, find a small and precise brush for intentional application. This will help you use less product while getting it in all the right places.
Do use highlighter after bronzer
Your highlighter should be the last thing you apply to your contour. This allows you to use super-precise application and not overdo your makeup. Consider it the grand finale.
Do use a setting powder
You should always use a setting powder but especially after contouring. This is a simple way to keep your makeup almost transfer-proof.
Ingredients to Avoid in Makeup Highlighter
As a nontoxic makeup brand, ingredients are just as important to us as results. Here are some ingredients you should never allow in your makeup highlighter (or any makeup products).
Fragrance
Signature scents are protected by law, so companies aren’t required to disclose the actual ingredients used to make the scent. This means, anytime you see “fragrance” listed on an ingredient label, it could be hiding up to 3,000+ mystery chemicals (usually hormone disruptors).
Hormone disruptors
Ingredients like parabens, phthalates, forever chemicals, and plastics could have a significant impact on your hormone health. This is because they’re classified as hormone disruptors — chemicals that either mimic or disrupt our natural hormones. They’re linked to poor fertility, dry skin, and breast cancer.
Formaldehyde releasers
You won’t see “formaldehyde” listed on your ingredient label, but many synthetic chemicals in makeup release it. Formaldehyde releasers are used as preservatives to keep a product fresh, but they can have significant health impacts.
Bismuth oxychloride
This popular natural ingredient is used as an alternative to talc. The problem is, many people are allergic to bismuth oxychloride. It’s a common irritant that can cause hives, irritation, and breakouts.
Microplastics
To add brightness, some makeup highlighters include glitter. Unfortunately, most modern glitter is made from microplastics. These plastics can pollute the environment (by landing in our water supplies and landfills) and expose you to hormone disruptors.
Makeup Highlighter for Mature Skin
Women with mature skin may feel hesitant to use a highlighter. This is because highlighter accentuates wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin when not applied properly.
That said, makeup is for everyone, and there are strategic ways you can apply highlighter to mature skin for the best results. We recommend that you use less highlighter, avoid using it on textured areas, and use a concealer or high-quality product for your highlighter.
Your Best Makeup Tool Is Creativity
Once you learn the basics of makeup application, you’ll be able to self-correct any issue you have and get (almost) perfect results every time. But you’re not meant to stay in this space. Makeup is a creative space where you get to decide what looks best on your complexion and what techniques you love the most.
There are endless possibilities with makeup highlighter. We hope you try the trends, experiment with the products, and watch the contour tutorials. But at the end of the day, remember that what you love and what’s popular won’t always be the same. And that’s okay.
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