How to Apply Highlighter: Ultimate Guide for a Radiant Look

Do you want your skin to appear glowing, youthful, and photo-ready? Applying highlighter correctly may transform your makeup look from drab to amazing. You'll learn all you need to know about applying highlighter in this comprehensive guide, including types, tools, techniques, and expert advice for both novices and cosmetic enthusiasts.

In addition to knowing where and how to apply highlighter, you will also know how to select the best formula for your skin tone and type at the end of this article.

Table of Contents 

What Is a Makeup Highlighter?

Why Should You Use Highlighter on Makeup

How To Choose the Right Highlighter 

Which Highlighter Is Best for Your Skin Type?

Tools for Perfect Highlighter Application

How to Apply Highlighter Step By Step For A Radiant Look

How to Highlight Based on Face Shape

What Not to Do With Highlighter

Advice for Various Skin Tone

Highlighters Suggested by Skin Type

Concluding Remarks

1. What Is a Makeup Highlighter?

The purpose of a cosmetic highlighter is to draw attention to the high parts of the face, such as the nose bridge, cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow, by reflecting light. Depending on the application method, the objective is to provide dimension, brightness, and either a dramatic or natural glow.

2. Why Should You Use Highlighter on Makeup

Adding a highlighter to your cosmetic routine can improve your appearance in a number of ways.

Enhances dimension: Draws attention to specific areas of your face to contrast blush and contour.

Brightens complexion: Gives life and vitality to lifeless or exhausted skin.

Lifts features: Uses positioning to create a sculpted look.

Reflective shimmer makes your features stand out in pictures.

3. How To Choose the Right Highlighter

There are various formulas for highlighters. Making the correct choice is crucial to getting the shine you want.

a. Highlighter in Powder

Perfect for mixed or oily skin types

creates a subtle, buildable sheen

It is best applied using a brush.

b. Dry or older skin types respond well to liquid highlighters.

It can be used directly or combined with foundation.

provides a natural, dewy finish.

c. Highlighter Cream

Ideal for a delicate glow

blends in perfectly with a sponge or fingers.

Excellent for dry to normal skin

d. The Sticky Highlighter

Travel-friendly and convenient

Simple to combine and swipe

Ideal for fast touch-ups

4. Which Highlighter Is Best for Your Skin Type?

Not every skin tone or type responds well to all highlighters. To find your mate, follow these steps:

Fair Skin

Use light champagne or pearly tones

For Medium Skin

Try rose gold or peach hues.

For Olive Skin

Choose amber or golden colors.

For Dark Skin

Choose deep gold, copper, or bronze hues.

5. Tools for Perfect Highlighter Application

The way your highlighter blends and looks can be greatly altered by using the appropriate equipment.

Fan Brush: Excellent for applying powder highlighter gently.

Tapered Brush: provides more precision.

Beauty sponge: Ideal for mixing cream and liquid mixtures

Fingers: Helpful for quickly combining stick or cream highlighters

6. How to Apply Highlighter Step By Step For A Radiant Look

This is a thorough guide on how to use highlighter for a natural glow:

Step 1.get your face ready.

Start with skin that is clean and hydrated. Start with a foundation and primer.

Step 2.Apply base makeup

First, finish your contour and concealer routine. Typically, you apply highlighter last on your face.

Step 3: Select Your Item

Select a highlighter based on your desired glow intensity (strong or subtle) and skin tone.

Step 4: Highlight Important Areas

Above the cheekbones: Above the blush, dab or swipe the highlighter.

Bridge of Nose: To enhance dimension, lightly draw a line.

Cupid's Bow: Dab slightly to give the appearance of larger lips.

Brow Bone: To define and raise eyes, apply beneath the brows.

Eyes' inner corners: enlarges and brightens the eyes.

Step 5: Mix Well

For a natural finish, blend the product with your fingers, a clean brush, or a sponge.

Step 6: Use Spray to Set (Optional)

To extend the wear of your highlighter, seal your look with a setting spray.

7. How to Highlight Based on Face Shape

You can use highlighter more skillfully if you are aware of the form of your face.

Round Face
To make the face appear longer, draw attention to the forehead and cheekbones.

Oval Face
For symmetry, pay attention to the brow bone, nose bridge, and cheekbones.

Square Face 
Emphasize the middle of the forehead and chin to soften angles.

Heart Shape Face
To balance the upper and lower face, apply to the chin, cheeks, and temples.

8. What Not to Do With Highlighter

By avoiding these mistakes, you can always get a perfect glow.

Applying too much can result in a greasy, rather than glowing, appearance.

Selecting the incorrect tone: A mismatch can give the appearance of dirty or ashy skin.

Ignoring blending: The appearance might be ruined by harsh lines.

Emphasizing greasy spots: Steer clear of the chin and forehead if you're oily.

9. Advice for Various Skin Tone

Use light pearl or ice pink hues if you have fair skin.

Steer clear of gold hues since they could appear overly yellow.

For medium skin, choose champagne and rose gold hues.

Steer clear of glaring, too-cold hues.

Rich copper, bronze, and gold tones are ideal for deep skin.

Steer clear of white-based highlighters as they may leave a gray tint.

10. Highlighters Suggested by Skin Type:

For Oily Skin 

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter

Maybelline Facestudio Master Chrome Highlighter

For Dry Skin

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand

L'Oréal True Match Lumi Glow

Combination Skin

Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Concluding Remarks

Gaining proficiency in the step-by-step application of highlighter can significantly improve your appearance. Selecting the ideal formula, color, and application for your particular face shape and skin tone is crucial, regardless of your preference for a delicate, understated glow or a striking, dazzling shine.

Try out some of the advice in this article and remember to blend properly for a smooth finish.