Achieving the Perfect Glow: Tips for Applying Highlighter Like a Pro September 4, 2024

Highlighter has become an essential part of any makeup routine, offering that radiant glow we all crave. When applied correctly, highlighter enhances your best features, giving your skin a dewy, luminous finish. But mastering the art of applying highlighter can be tricky. Whether you’re new to highlighting or looking to refine your technique, these tips will help you achieve the perfect glow like a pro.

1. Choose the Right Formula for Your Skin Type

The first step to achieving a flawless glow is selecting the right highlighter formula for your skin type. Highlighters come in various forms, including powder, cream, and liquid.

• Powder Highlighter: Best for oily or combination skin, powder highlighter gives a more controlled, subtle glow and works well for building layers. It’s also easy to blend over foundation.
• Cream Highlighter: Ideal for normal to dry skin, cream highlighter melts seamlessly into the skin, providing a natural, dewy finish. It’s best applied with your fingers or a makeup sponge.
• Liquid Highlighter: Perfect for all skin types, especially if you’re after a high-impact glow. Liquid highlighter can be mixed with foundation or moisturizer for an all-over glow or applied directly to the high points of the face.

2. Know Where to Apply Highlighter

For a balanced and natural-looking glow, it’s important to know where to apply highlighter. The key is to highlight the high points of your face where light naturally hits:

• Cheekbones: Apply highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones to create dimension and lift the face.
• Bridge of the Nose: Add a subtle glow to the bridge of your nose to make it appear straighter and more defined.
• Cupid’s Bow: Highlighting the cupid’s bow (the curve of your upper lip) will enhance the appearance of fuller lips.
• Brow Bone: A touch of highlighter on the brow bone creates a lifting effect and draws attention to your eyes.
• Inner Corners of the Eyes: Brighten up your eyes by applying highlighter to the inner corners, making you look more awake and refreshed.
• Chin: A light sweep of highlighter on the chin adds a subtle glow and helps balance the overall look.

3. Use the Right Tools

The tools you use to apply highlighter can significantly affect the final result. For a flawless finish, choose the appropriate tool for your highlighter formula:

• Fan Brush: Ideal for applying powder highlighter, a fan brush allows for a light, even application that can be built up gradually.
• Beauty Sponge: Use a damp beauty sponge to press cream or liquid highlighter into the skin for a smooth, blended finish.
• Fingertips: For cream or liquid highlighter, your fingers can be a great tool for warming up the product and blending it into the skin.

4. Build Gradually for a Natural Glow

When applying highlighter, it’s always better to start with a light hand and build up gradually. This will help you avoid the overly shiny or glittery look. Apply a small amount of highlighter and blend it well before adding more layers if needed. Remember, you can always add more, but it’s harder to remove excess product once it’s on.

5. Consider Your Skin Tone

The shade of highlighter you choose should complement your skin tone for the most natural-looking glow:

• Fair Skin: Opt for highlighters with pearly, champagne, or soft pink tones. These shades will enhance your complexion without looking too harsh.
• Medium Skin: Gold and peach-toned highlighters work best for medium skin tones, adding warmth and glow without overpowering the skin.
• Dark Skin: Rich, bronzed, or copper-toned highlighters are ideal for darker skin tones, providing a stunning, radiant effect that enhances your natural glow.

6. Set Your Highlighter for Long-Lasting Wear

To ensure your glow lasts all day or night, it’s essential to set your highlighter. After applying your makeup, use a setting spray to lock everything in place, including your highlighter. This will help it stay put and maintain its shine throughout the day. For extra staying power, try layering a cream highlighter under a powder highlighter for a more intense, long-lasting glow.

7. Avoid Overdoing It

While we all love a good glow, it’s important not to go overboard. Too much highlighter can create an unnatural, shiny look. To keep things subtle, focus on just a few key areas of the face rather than applying highlighter all over. Less is often more when it comes to achieving a radiant, healthy glow.

Conclusion

With the right techniques and tools, applying highlighter can be a game-changer for your makeup routine. By selecting the right formula for your skin type, applying it in the right areas, and using the appropriate tools, you can achieve a glowing, radiant complexion like a pro. Remember, the key to a perfect glow is balance, so start light, blend well, and enjoy the luminous look you’ve created.