When it comes to enhancing the natural beauty of your face, there’s one makeup product that can truly make you stand out – the highlighter. If you’ve ever wondered “what is highlighter makeup?” and how it can transform your look, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will answer all your questions about highlighter makeup, including its purpose, how to choose the right one for you, and how to apply it properly for a radiant, glowing complexion.
Understanding What is Highlighter Makeup
Highlighter makeup is a cosmetic product that enhances the natural high points of your face by reflecting light. It is used to accentuate features you want to stand out, like cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Highlighter makeup can vary from subtle radiance to intense shimmer, and its primary goal is to give your skin a healthy, luminous glow.
Typically, highlighters are formulated with mica, a shimmery mineral, which has traditionally been sourced using unethical labor practices in rural India. However, many cosmetic companies now use lab-made mica or are working to improve the traceability within the Indian mica industry to create a more ethical supply chain.
The Role of Highlighter in Your Makeup Routine
Highlighter makeup plays a unique role in your makeup routine. It’s different from blush, which adds color to your skin to make you look flushed. Highlighter, on the other hand, emphasizes a feature by making it pop. While these are two separate products with different end goals, they complement each other nicely. If you want to boost your glow without adding an extra product to your routine, a shimmery blush that adds color to your cheeks while also reflecting light is a great option.
Choosing the Right Highlighter for Your Skin Type
Highlighter makeup comes in various forms, including powder highlighter, cream highlighter, and liquid highlighter. The type that will work best for you depends on your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, you should avoid cream and liquid formulas and stick to powders, which will stay put for longer. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, creams and liquids are more forgiving and can help diffuse any rough or uneven texture on the skin.
Those with combination skin are lucky, as they can choose any formula based on personal preference. Regardless of the formula you choose, the application process is crucial for achieving the desired glow.
The Art of Applying Highlighter Makeup
The way you apply your highlighter can make a significant difference in the final makeup look. For a cream highlighter and liquid highlighter, use a sponge. Avoid using a sweeping motion to apply, as it can disrupt the makeup and cause streakiness. Instead, it’s better to lightly stipple or dab it on for a smooth, beautiful finish.
For applying highlighter powder, a soft, fluffy brush is your best friend. Apply it in a light, sweeping motion. Remember not to press the brush too harshly into your face as it can disrupt the makeup you’ve already applied. For smaller areas like your brow bone or cupid’s bow, switch to a small eyeshadow brush for a more precise application.
The Order of Application: Highlighter, Foundation, and Blush
Your highlighter should be considered a finishing touch. It’s best to apply it at the end of your makeup routine, after your foundation and blush. This way, the highlighter adds an extra glow or sheen to the points of your face where you want to catch the light.
Highlighter Makeup for All Skin Tones
The beauty of highlighter makeup is that it can be worn by anyone, regardless of skin tone. The key is to find the hue that best suits your complexion. For a natural-looking highlight, choose a shade that’s just a couple of shades lighter than your skin tone. If you have very fair skin, opt for an opal or pearl shade. Golden or peachy highlighters tend to look great on medium skin, while those with darker skin tones might want to try gold, bronze, or copper shades.
Correcting Over-application of Highlighter
If you’ve accidentally applied too much highlighter, don’t panic. Simply grab a clean makeup brush and buff out any excess. Alternatively, you can use a clean sponge to tone it down, or add a bit of concealer or a powder product over the top to soften the effect of the highlighter.
Highlighting Beyond the Face
Your face isn’t the only area that can benefit from the glow of a highlighter. If you’re wearing a low-cut top, dust a little highlighter over your shoulders and collarbones. If you’re wearing a sleeveless dress, run some down the front of your arms. And if you’re wearing a skirt or dress, a touch of highlighter down the center of your legs will look stunning.
Highlighter Makeup Tips from Makeup Artists
Professional makeup artists have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to applying highlighter. For a more natural-looking glow, stick to the high points of your face, which are usually where the light would naturally hit. These include the tops of your cheekbones, your brow bone, the cupid’s bow, and along the bridge of your nose.
However, if you want to get creative and step up your glow game, you can also apply highlighter to your temples. This can change the shape of your face and give it more contour. And remember, you can apply highlighter to any area that you want to stand out.
Different Types of Highlighter Makeup
Highlighter makeup comes in a wide range of types, shades, and finishes. You can find liquid, cream, and powder forms, as well as clear gels that give a dewy look. Some highlighters offer a subtle sheen, while others can make you look holographic. The choice of color and finish is entirely up to you.
The right highlighter for you depends on the look you want to achieve, your skin tone, and your personal preference. Cooler tones in pearl or silver shades typically look more natural on fair or lighter skin with pink undertones. Peaches and pinks, on the other hand, work better on medium skin tones. Golden or copper shades are beautiful on deeper skin tones.
Highlighter Makeup: A Makeup Bag Essential
In conclusion, highlighter makeup is an essential product for anyone looking to enhance their features and achieve a radiant, glowing complexion. Whether you’re new to makeup or a seasoned pro, understanding what is highlighter makeup and how to use it can help you take your makeup game to the next level. So, the next time you’re doing your makeup, don’t forget to add a touch of highlighter for that extra glow.
