If you’re new to highlighter makeup, this blog post is for you! This article will teach you everything you need to know about highlighter for beginners. We’ll discuss what they are, how to use them, and which ones are best for beginners. By the end of this guide to highlighters, you’ll be ready to start using highlighters like a pro!
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Types Of Highlighter Makeup

Enchanting eyes are the windows to the soul. Luscious lips convey confidence. Cheekbones that could cut glass add structure and attitude. But what pulls it all together? That would be fabulous face makeup and glass skin, of course! And the one beauty product that can take your makeup from boring to WOW in seconds is highlighter makeup.
Liquid Highlighter For Beginners
A liquid highlighter is a great option if you’re looking for a makeup product to help you achieve a natural, dewy glow. It can be used to add a touch of highlight to the face or mixed with foundation or primer for an all-over glow.
Liquid highlighters come in various shades and finishes, so you can find one that best suits your skin tone and desired look. They can be applied with a makeup brush or your fingers and blended into the skin for a natural finish.
Whether you want a subtle sheen or an intense disco ball effect, a liquid highlighter is a versatile product that can help you create the perfect glow. It works well for both darker skin tones and lighter skin tones.
The creamy formula can be found in every shade imaginable, with and without glitter, and in dewy and matte finishes.
NYX Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator on Amazon ($7.50)

This liquid highlighter comes in numerous beautiful shades ranging from Sunbeam to Pure Gold, making it perfect to highlight any skin type. It adds just the shimmery and luminous finish you’ve been looking for, giving your skin an extra glow and completing any makeup look.
Highlights
- Suitable for all skin types
- Shimmery finish
What You’ll Love
- Versatile glow
- Cruelty-free
- Luminous
- Multiple shades
- PETA Certified
Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter by Georgio Armani ($39)
This liquid highlighter comes from one of the most iconic names in the beauty industry. Armani Beauty is known for delivering one amazing product after another, and this liquid highlighter does not disappoint. It’s available in five shimmery shades to suit every skin tone.
Highlights
- Suitable for all skin types
- Lightweight
Why You’ll Love It
- Sheer finish for a more natural appearance
- Wear it with makeup or on its own
- Mix it with a foundation for an all-over glow
- Pick up different shades to use as a bronzer or blush
Powder Highlighter For Beginners
Powder highlighter makeup is one of the hottest trends in the beauty world. If you’re unfamiliar with it, a powder highlighter is a loose powder that can be applied to the face to create a glowing, radiant effect. It’s perfect for adding a touch of shimmer to your cheekbones, brow bone, and cupid’s bow.
You can also use it to highlight other areas of your face, like your forehead, nose, and chin. Powder highlighter comes in various shades, so you can choose one that best suits your skin tone.
If you’re looking for a powder highlighter that will give you a natural-looking glow, try one with a pearlescent finish. For a more dramatic look, go for a metallic or iridescent powder.
A powder highlighter is a versatile product that can be used to create many different looks. So powder highlighter is the way to go, whether you’re going for a subtle shimmer or an all-out glam look!
TIP: If you have oily skin, a powder highlighter will help absorb excess oil.
Bare Minerals Rose Radiance Highlighter ($25)
This powder concealer by Bare Minerals comes in a rosy pink color, giving it an illuminating shine and glowing finish. It’s made with all-natural ingredients and is cruelty-free, paraben and sulfate free. It can keep your skin youthful and bright and gives any look a flawless finishing touch by minimizing your fine lines and softening your complexion simultaneously.
Highlights
- Rosy color
- Cruelty-free
What You’ll Love
- Easily applicable
- Natural formula
- Paraben free
- Shiny finish
E.l.f. Baked Highlighter ($4)

This powder highlighter can be applied with a brush or your fingertips and is most effective when applied to your cheekbones, inner eye corners, and your cupid’s bow. The highlighter is golden, provides bright pigmentation, and is infused with Vitamin E and other essential oils and minerals to help nourish and moisturize your skin.
Highlights
- Shimmering
- Hydrating
What You’ll Love
- Contains Vitamin E
- Moisturizing
- Pigmented
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Glazed Donut Highlighter by OFRA Cosmetics ($25)

This highlighter comes in a frosty pearl color that melts into your skin without looking powdery. It’s easy to apply because it glides smoothly across the skin. Put a dab on the high points of your face for an instant glow-up!
Highlights
- Glowing
- Vegan
What You’ll Love
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Intense pigmentation
- Natural
- Healthy ingredients
Highlighter Sticks
Highlighter sticks are a type of makeup that can be used to highlight certain features of the face. They are usually used to accentuate the cheekbones or the brow bone but can also be used on the lips or eyelids.
Highlighter sticks come in various colors, but the most popular highlighter shades are generally pale pink or silver. You can also find shades darker for a pop of color or a clear highlighter to make your natural skin tone glisten.
To use a highlighter stick, apply it to the area you wish to highlight and blend it with your fingers or a brush. Highlighter sticks are a quick and easy way to add a touch of glamour to any makeup look.
Wonderstick Highlighter & Contour Stick by NYX ($14)

This 2-in-1 Highlighter & Contour Stick is portable and easy to use, making it perfect for everyday use. It comes in eight beautiful shades, making it suitable for all skin types. Its pigmented formula helps brighten your skin, leaving it smooth and glowing.
Highlights
- Multiple shades
- Vegan
What You’ll Love
- Brightening
- Pigmented
- Precise applicator
- Easy to use
- Smooth finish
Daily Dew Stick by e.l.f. ($8)

This highlighter stick comes in four unique shades ranging from Cool Berry to Tangerine Kiss. It’s a cream-to-powder formula that helps give your skin a radiating and refreshing glow, keeping it healthy and glowing. Each blendable shade offered helps to make your complexion shimmer and shine
Highlights
- Refreshing
- Multiple shades
What You’ll Love
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Blendable
- Healthy formula
- Radiating
Cream Highlighter For Beginners

Highlighter is one of those magical makeup products that can instantly transform your look. A few well-placed highlighter strokes can give you a gorgeous, glowy complexion. With so many different formulas and finishes on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you.
Cream formulas are an excellent option for those who want a natural, dewy finish. Unlike powder highlighters, cream highlighters blend seamlessly into the skin, giving you a subtle yet striking shimmer.
They’re also great for dry or mature skin, as they help to hydrate and plump the skin. If you’re looking for a highlighter that will give you a natural glow, a cream highlighter is a way to go!
It’s easy to apply too much cream highlighter accidentally. Use an eyeshadow brush to apply the highlighter to the desired facial features for precise application. Then, blend it with the same eyeshadow brush or a makeup sponge.
Watt’s Up! Cream Highlighter by Benefit Cosmetics ($30)

This highlighter has a cream-to-powder finish, making it easy to apply with a smooth finish. It comes in a rose gold color, is wonderfully pigmented, and can highlight any complexion. It leaves your skin with a luminous shine and gorgeous finish.
Highlights
- Soft focus
- Glowing finish
What You’ll Love
- Rose gold color
- Luminating
- Pigmented
- Smooth applicator
What Type Of Highlighter Should I Get
There’s nothing like a fresh face for summer, but with so many products on the market, it can be tough to know where to start. If you’re on the hunt for a new highlighter, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Consider Your Skin Type
If you have dry skin, you’ll want to avoid powder highlighters, which can accentuate flakes and wrinkles. Instead, opt for a cream or liquid formula. Oily skin types can also benefit from a liquid highlighter but should avoid anything too greasy or heavy. If you have normal or combination skin, you’re lucky enough to be able to try any highlighter.
Finding The Perfect Finish
Just be sure to choose one that matches your desired finish – dewy or matte. Once you’ve narrowed your options, it’s time to test them out. The best way to do this is to apply a bit of highlighter to your cheekbones and blend it with your fingers or makeup sponge.
Take a step back and check your work in natural light – this will give you the most accurate idea of how the product will look in different lighting conditions. And that’s it! With these tips in mind, you’re sure to find the perfect highlighter that complements both your skin type and your natural skin tone.
How To Apply Highlighter Makeup
A well-executed highlight can take your makeup look from drab to fab in mere seconds. But if you’ve never quite mastered the technique, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Here’s a quick guide on how to apply highlighter makeup like a pro.
First, choose shades of highlighter that match your skin tone and desired level of glow. If you have a light skin tone, opt for a champagne or pearl shade. For medium skin tones, try a golden or bronze hue. And if you’re dark-skinned, go for a rich copper or chocolate shade. If you’re new to highlighters, consider picking a highlighter palette to try different colors.
Next, apply the highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, down the center of your nose, and on the inner corners of your eyes. You can also use it to highlight other areas of your face, like your cupid’s bow and brow bone.
Add a small dab of highlighter to the center of your forehead and chin for an extra dewy finish. Finally, use a soft brush, like a fan brush or a beauty blender, to blend out the edges for a natural-looking glow. Now you’re ready to rock that gorgeous glow all day long!
Where To Apply Highlighter Products
Applying a highlighter is a great way to give your complexion a radiant and youthful glow. Highlighter products can accentuate your best features and give you a natural-looking glow when applied correctly. Here are some tips on where to apply highlighter for the best results:
-To highlight your cheekbones, apply pink highlighters along the tops of your cheekbones, blend, and then sweep a bit of bronzer underneath for definition.
-For a natural-looking glow, apply highlighter products to the bridge of your nose and above your Cupid’s bow.
-To make your eyes pop, apply a highlighter in the inner corners of your eyes and on the brow bone.
-To achieve a dewy finish, mix a small highlighter with your foundation or moisturizer.
By following these tips, you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking glow with ease!
How To Apply Highlighter Stick
Highlighter sticks are a great way to add a pop of brightness to your face. They come in various colors, so you can find one that best suits your skin tone.
To apply a highlighter stick, start by selecting the area of your face you want to highlight, such as your cheekbones. Then, use small, circular motions to apply the stick to your skin.
Be sure to blend well so that there are no visible lines.
Finally, dust off any excess powder with a soft brush. Highlighter sticks are a quick and easy way to add a bit of luminosity to your complexion. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be ready to shine!
How To Apply Highlighter On Eyes
Highlighter can be a game changer when it comes to your eye makeup. By adding just a touch of shimmer in the right places, you can instantly make your eyes look brighter and more awake. Plus, who doesn’t love a little glow? Here’s how to apply a highlighter on your eyes for a natural-looking shimmer.
Start by finding the right highlighter for you. If you have fair skin, look for a champagne or pearl shade. If you have medium skin, go for a gold or bronze shade. And if you have dark skin, try a copper or silver shade. Once you’ve found your perfect shade, it’s time to apply it.
First, use your finger to pat the highlighter onto the center of your eyelid lightly. Then, use a small brush to blend the product outwards towards the crease of your eye. Make sure to blend well so that there are no harsh lines.
Finally, use a clean brush to dust the highlighter under your brow bone lightly and in the inner corner of your eye. This will help brighten up your whole eye area. And that’s it! Just a few simple steps and you’ll be rocking glowy eyes in no time
To make your eyes pop, gently dab a bit of highlighter into the corners of the eyes along the upper and lower lid.
How To Apply Highlighter Without Brush

Many people think that they need a brush to apply a highlighter. However, you can get a beautiful, natural-looking highlight without using a brush!
The key is to start with a small product and gradually build up. Here’s how to do it: first, squeeze a pea-sized highlighter onto the back of your hand. Then, using your fingertips, tap the product onto your cheekbones, brow bones, and Cupid’s bow.
Once you’ve applied the highlighter to these critical areas, blend it with your fingers for a seamless finish.
This technique is especially great for sensitive skin, as it minimizes the risk of irritation. Plus, it’s quick and easy to do – perfect for busy mornings!
FAQ
Can you wear highlighter without makeup?
No rule says you can’t wear a highlighter without makeup! Rocking a little shine can be a great way to perk up your complexion and give yourself a natural glow.
Of course, if you’re going to go sans makeup, it’s essential to make sure your skin is well-moisturized so that the highlighter doesn’t cling to any dry patches.
Once your skin is prepped and ready, apply a small amount of highlighter to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid’s bow. Then step back and admire your gorgeous glowing self!
Highlighter before or after foundation
It’s an age-old question that has stumped makeup lovers for generations: should you apply highlighter before or after foundation? There is no correct answer, but there are some things to remember when deciding.
If you want a more natural look, apply your highlighter before foundation. This will give you a subtle glow that looks like your skin is naturally radiant.
If you’re going for a more dramatic look, apply your highlighter after foundation. This will give you a stronger highlight that can help you achieve a contoured look.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which technique works best for your desired look. So experiment and have fun!
Is strobing cream highlighter
Strobe cream can create the same glow as highlighter, so it’s often used as a highlighter. It’s “technically” an illuminator, but there’s nothing wrong with throwing it in with your other highlighter products.
In Conclusion
That’s it! You now know the basics of highlighting. Be sure to check out the rest of the beauty blog for more tips and tricks on how to make highlighter work for you and everything else beauty. Happy highlighting!
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