Highlighters have taken the beauty world by storm, with numerous high-end and drugstore brands launching new products and even entire lines dedicated to this trending topic. The promise of these products is to create a radiant, inner-glow effect that makes your skin seem illuminated from within. But achieving this natural-looking glow can be a challenge many struggle with.
The issue lies in the fact that novices often end up looking chalky or overly sparkly instead of effortlessly radiant.
Fortunately, there are simple yet effective tips and tricks to help you achieve the perfect, naturally-glowing complexion using makeup.
Choose a Shade That’s Right For You
When it comes to selecting a highlighter, the options can seem overwhelming. With numerous shades available, from soft pinks to bold golds and silvers, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of trying out new colors. However, it’s essential to consider your natural skin tone when making this decision. Just as you would choose a foundation that complements your complexion, you should select a highlighter that harmonizes with your skin tone.
While highlighting doesn’t require an exact match like foundation does, it’s crucial not to stray too far from your natural tone. A peach-colored highlighter might not be the best choice for those with cool undertones, and a green tint could detract from a natural everyday look. Instead, consider pearl highlighters for extremely fair skin, champagne or light pink shades for medium tones, beige or peach-toned options for darker skin, and golden hues for very deep skin tones.
Glow, Not Glitter
Highlighters and sparkly skin products are often confused with one another, but understanding their differences can be crucial for achieving a natural glow. Highlighters are designed to subtly enhance the natural light reflecting off the skin, whereas sparkly products are meant to add a touch of glamour. While sparkles can be wonderful in eyeshadow, lip products, or body powders, they don’t belong in highlighters if you want them to look natural.
The key is to find a highlighter that highlights your skin’s natural glow, rather than trying to make it glitter. One way to identify an overly sparkly highlighter is by checking for visible glitter particles within the product. If you spot any, even if they’re extremely fine, the highlighter may not be suitable for everyday use.
Blend, But Do Not Smear
When it comes to applying highlighter, timing is everything. As one of the final touches in your makeup routine, it’s crucial to balance blending with restraint. On one hand, you don’t want to smear the highlighter all over your face, disrupting the rest of your carefully applied makeup. On the other hand, a lack of blending can leave your skin looking unnatural and jarring. The key is to strike a balance between the two.
Start by applying the highlighter with a stipple brush, then gently feather out the edges using your fingertips. This will help you achieve a natural-looking glow that complements rather than clashes with the rest of your makeup.
Use Liquid Highlighter
While there are many excellent powder highlighters on the market, some products tend to sit atop the skin rather than absorbing fully, resulting in an unnatural appearance. Liquid highlighters, on the other hand, are designed to blend seamlessly into the skin, creating a more natural-looking finish. Two notable examples of effective liquid highlighters are NYX’s Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator and NARS’ Illuminator, both of which offer a range of shades to suit various skin tones.
The affordable ($7.49) NYX option is a great choice for those on a budget, while the more premium ($30.00) NARS product provides high-quality results.
Blend Highlighter With Foundation
For those who find pure liquid highlighters too artificial-looking, there’s a simple solution: mix it with your regular liquid foundation. Blend a few drops of highlighter into your foundation to create a subtle, natural-looking glow that avoids the over-shiny or strobed effect. This blend can be applied to specific areas of your face where you’d normally use highlighter for added radiance. You can even extend this technique to cover your entire complexion if you feel like it’s looking dull.
Just be mindful when applying the mixed product to your whole face, as adding too much highlighter can lead to an oily rather than dewy finish. Start with one or two drops of highlighter per application and adjust to taste.
Moisturize and Prime
When applying powder highlighter, many people experience a chalky or uneven finish, which can be frustrating. While using a high-quality formula can help alleviate this issue, another common culprit is dehydration. To ensure a seamless highlighter application, it’s essential to properly hydrate your skin before makeup. Apply a lightweight moisturizer 15 minutes prior to your usual routine and allow it to absorb fully.
Additionally, prime the areas you plan to highlight with a high-quality primer to create an optimal base for your makeup. This will help prevent the highlighter from looking cakey or settling into fine lines.
Apply In The Right Places
When it comes to using a highlighter, the key is to enhance your natural glow by applying it to the right areas of your skin. This means avoiding regions that don’t typically shine and blending upwards to create a seamless finish. A common mistake is applying highlighter underneath the cheekbones or on the sides of the nose, which can give off an unnatural sheen. Instead, focus on highlighting above and below the eyebrows, in the center of the forehead, and along the bridge of the nose.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to accentuate your skin’s natural glow without looking oily or artificial. With practice, you’ll become a master of using highlighter to create a bright, radiant complexion that looks completely natural.
