Highlighter can give you the glow you want or help you accentuate certain features. It can easily make eyeshadow look more pigmented or draw attention away from imperfections. Knowing how to use it is key to nailing the look you want. This comprehensive highlighter for beginners guide will tell you everything you need to know to get started.
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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? The fabulous face makeup and glass skin, of course! Highlighter makeup is one beauty product that can take your makeup from boring to beautiful in seconds.
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 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
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.
What You’ll Love
- Versatile glow
- Cruelty-free
- Luminous
- Multiple shades
- PETA Certified
Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter by Georgio Armani
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.
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 for a subtle shimmer or an all-out glam look!
TIP: If you have oily skin, a powder highlighter will help absorb excess oil.
Our Pick
Silky Glow Highlighter And Brush Duo
The angled brush is perfect for blush and bronzer application. You’ll discover you use it again and again. It’s perfectly angled for precise application but fluffy enough to work amazingly well for blending.
This duo also includes Bare Minerals GEN NUDE Silky Highlighter. The pigmented formula provides the perfect glow up. It’s a blush/highlighter hybrid that gives you perfectly rosy cheeks with a lit-from-within glow. The lightweight formula is made with finely milled pearls that melt into your skin.
WHy You’ll Love It
- Blush/highlighter hybrid
- Soft application brush
- Rosy glow
- Blends easily into skin
Physician’s Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter
Physician’s Formula is well-known for its Murumuru Butter products because they are so creamy. The formula is a powder formula, but it glides smoothly across the skin like a cream highlighter. It’s easy to blend, unlikely to have fallout, and it’s buildable.
The satin finish is suitable for all skin types. The formula is designed to be long-lasting. Pearlescent pigments deliver the shimmer you want without the need for large flecks of glitter.
Why You’ll Love It
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Creamy
- Easy to blend
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.
Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick
Milk Makeup Highlighter Stick glides smoothly across the skin without tugging, leaving the perfect glow. The vegan formula is perfect for anyone who lives a vegan lifestyle. It easily blends into skin. It’s buildable, so you can get more pigment if you want. Easily use it on your face or body!
Why You’ll Love It
- Shades available for different skin tones
- Buildable to create more pigmented looks
- Cream formula is easy to blend
- Vegan
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Highlighter
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Highlighter oozes high quality. The formula is blendable, buildable, and creamy. Easily blend it into your skin with your fingers or use the luxurious brush included on the other side of the stick. Five shades provide something for everyone. Easily use it on your face or body. A little goes a long way, so you won’t run out anytime soon!
Why You’ll Love It
- Melts into skin
- Creamy formula
- Easy to blend
- Multi-tasker
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, knowing which one is right for you can be challenging.
Cream formulas are an excellent option for those who want a natural, dewy finish. Unlike powder, cream highlighters blend seamlessly into the skin, giving you a subtle yet striking shimmer.
Cream highlighters are 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 the way to go!
It’s easy to apply too much cream highlighter accidentally. For a precise application, use an eyeshadow brush to apply the highlighter to the desired facial features. Then, blend it with the same eyeshadow brush or a makeup sponge.
Most stick highlighters are also cream highlighters. The creamy formula is easier to apply when it’s in a stick than a pot or palette. Pots are long-nail friendly, so you must use a brush and spend plenty of time in front of your vanity.
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 hunting for a new highlighter, here are a few things to remember.
Consider Your Skin Type
If you have dry skin, 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.
People with mature skin have special needs. They need a lightweight formula that won’t settle in fine lines and wrinkles. Pay attention to the product description to ensure the makeup suits mature skin.
Finding The Perfect Finish
Generally, matte finishes work well for anyone with oily skin. However, dewy finishes are a huge trend right now. These can work well for every skin type except oily skin. Oily skin and a dewy finish can make your face too shiny.
Consider whether you want glitter in your highlighter. A lot of glowing products and highlighters are packed with tiny flecks of glitter to help reflect light and make your face shine. However, these aren’t ideal if you don’t like glitter. Carefully read product descriptions and reviews to get the perfect finish for the look you want.
How To Apply Highlighter Makeup
A well-executed highlight can take your makeup look from drab to fab in 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. 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 the brow bone.
- Mix a small highlighter with your foundation or moisturizer to achieve a dewy finish.
By following these tips, you can easily achieve a beautiful, natural-looking glow!
How To Apply Highlighter Stick
Highlighter sticks are a great way to brighten your face. They come in various colors, so you can find one that best suits your skin tone.
To apply a highlighter stick, select the area of your face you want to highlight, such as your cheekbones. Then, apply the stick to your skin with small, circular motions.
Be sure to blend well so that there are no visible lines.
How To Apply Highlighter On Eyes
Highlighter can be a game changer when it comes to your eye makeup. Adding a shimmer in the right places can instantly make your eyes look brighter and more awake.
First, use your finger to pat the highlighter lightly onto the center of your eyelid. 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.
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 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.
Blend it with your fingers once you’ve applied the highlighter to these critical areas for a seamless finish.
This technique is especially great for sensitive skin, as it minimizes the risk of irritation. It’s quick and easy, making it 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 makes it look like your skin is naturally radiant.
Apply your highlighter after foundation if you’re going for a more dramatic look. This will give you a stronger highlight that can help you achieve a contoured look.
Ultimately, deciding which technique works best for your desired look is up to you. So experiment and have fun!
Is strobing cream highlighter
Strobe cream can create the same glow as a 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. It can be used in the same places, like the corners of your eyes. Strobe cream can also be applied all over the face for an all-over glow.
In Conclusion
Highlighter is all about finding the right product for yourself. Consider your skin type, skin concerns, and what type of formula you want. Test various products to find one that works for you. Always read product descriptions and reviews when you can. Check out the rest of the site for more tips and tricks!
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