There are so many makeup products that it can be overwhelming to sift through them all to find the right products for your face and skin type. On top of that, everyone seems to use different products for the same purpose. One person will put liquid highlighter along their brow bones, while another will use concealer. When one person swears that powder highlighter is what you want for a natural glow, another will swear by liquid highlighter. Then, skin tones come into the mix. It can make answering a simple question like what is liquid highlighter use for complicated.
A liquid highlighter is a creamy illuminator that you’ll see repeatedly. It’s in makeup tutorials for your eyes, lips, and face. Liquid highlighters can be used for everything, but what is a liquid highlighter used for? We’ll review everything you need to know about liquid highlighters and show you some of the best ones on the market.
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What Is Liquid Highlighter For?
Liquid highlighters take highlighters to the next level. They achieve an almost instant glow in a lightweight formula. You use them to highlight certain parts of your face. Mainly, people use them to achieve glowing cheekbones. However, you can put a few drops of liquid highlighter anywhere you want to glow, such as the inner corners of your eyes or above your cupid’s bow.
Benefits Of Liquid Highlighter
The liquid formula has several benefits over cream highlighters. Once you start using one, you’ll realize what all the hype is about.
Easy To Build Up
Most liquid highlighters come with a cushion applicator or dropper. You then apply a dab or drop of highlighter at a time and blend it with a makeup sponge. This lets you slowly build up the color to ensure you don’t overdo it. It’s much easier than building up cream or powder highlighters.
Suitable For All Skin Tones
There are barely there shades and pink shades if you have a fair skin tone, as well as shades for a dark or medium skin tone. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in a liquid formula.
Suitable For All Skin Types
Liquid formulas are usually recommended for dry skin, while powder is used for oily skin, but that doesn’t seem to apply to liquid highlighters. You can easily use them with other makeup, and there’s a formula for every skin type.
Innovative Formulas
Liquid highlighters do much more than provide a radiant glow now. Some cheek-plumping formulas instantly make your cheekbones appear larger while giving you a soft glow. Gel highlighter is often thrown into the liquid category and stains your cheeks for long-lasting color. You can find highlighters with or without glitter and in every shade available. It doesn’t matter what your liquid highlighter preference is, you can find it in an innovative formula that goes above and beyond.
You can also find liquid highlighters that are vegan, organic, or cruelty-free!
Multipurpose Product
People use highlighters for much more than achieving a radiant glow on the cheekbones. You can use it to help with contouring or achieve an all-over glow that looks natural.
How To Apply Liquid Highlighter
There are multiple ways to apply a liquid highlighter. Dabbing it on your cheekbones for a dewy glow is one way. However, you can also:
- Mix it with your foundation for an all-over glow
- Enjoying using it as a highlighting primer to create a base for your makeup. (If it’s not advertised as a highlighting primer, use a regular primer underneath to create a base for your makeup.)
- Highlight the high points on your face for an intense glow
- Use it as an eyeshadow base to create a subtle glow on your lids
- Apply highlighter to places like your collarbones to use it as body glitter and to make your skin glow
- Mix it with your cream blush to create the perfect glowy pigment to apply to cheekbones
- The inner corner of your eyes is a popular place to apply highlighter to give your eye makeup a glow-up instantly
- Add a few drops of highlighter to your moisturizer for a DIY strobe cream
- You can wear highlighter with other makeup or by itself
- When applying highlighter, put it on the back of your hand and use a highlighter brush to create a less intense effect
- Apply highlighter before blush for a natural glow
When applying a liquid highlighter, apply a quick dab or drop. Then, blend it gently with your beauty blender. A few taps are all it should take.
Where Do You Apply Liquid Highlighter
Traditionally, you apply a liquid highlighter across your cheekbones. When blending it, sweep your brush or blender upwards and outwards towards the top of your ears.
However, you can apply a liquid highlighter to your cupid’s bow, jawline, jaw, or anywhere else you want to highlight.
Choosing The Right Highlighter Shade
Choosing the right highlighter shade for your skin tone is essential to make your skin glow and ensure your makeup is flawless. Here are a few general rules to follow:
- For a light skin tone, opt for light colors, such as peach, pink, and lilac
- For a medium skin tone, consider shades like champagne and gold with warm undertones
- For deeper skin tones, try copper and bronze shades
- Avoid shades that have cool undertones, like silver, unless you have a light skin tone
These simple tips will help you find a highlighter that complements your skin tone and looks more natural.
The Best Highlighters For An Instant Glow-Up
Finding the best liquid highlighter can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out these top-rated highlighters to find your next makeup must-have.
High Beam Liquid Highlighter By Benefit Cosmetics ($21)
This pink satin liquid highlighter has a pillowy applicator that is perfect for precise application. The formula is specially formulated to be long-lasting. Wear it day or night, under makeup, or by itself!
Star Lit Liquid Highlighter By Ofra Cosmetics ($29)
Ofra Cosmetics is known for its amazing highlighters; there’s a good reason for that. You can find every formula and shade you want at Ofra Cosmetics. It’s Star Lit Liquid Highlighter is specially formulated to soothe and hydrate skin with ingredients like Aloe Vera and Horse Chestnut Extract. It glides on smoothly and doesn’t leave a greasy feel. On top of that, it’s also cruelty-free!
Stylo Lumiere By Sisley Paris ($78)
This highlighting pen is designed to give you the natural radiance you want. It is available in various tones to ensure that you can find something for your skin tone, even if you have a deep skin tone. Use it to correct an uneven skin tone, as a highlighter, or add a dose of radiance to your complexion. The unique design of this product makes it easy to apply and mess-free.
Final Thoughts
Liquid highlighter is for adding radiance to your skin. Use it to create a glass-like effect by mixing it with your foundation, or add it to key points for the glow-up you’re looking for!
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