Our Guide on How to Use Makeup Highlighter

Applying makeup is a creative balance of enhancing features, concealing imperfections, and achieving a better feeling about ourselves. To get a genuinely radiant visage that’ll have you winking back at yourself, no makeup bag would be complete without a makeup highlighter or two.

Highlighters aren’t here to make skin look shiny; instead, they reflect light precisely where they’re applied for luminous, youthful looks. They’re easy to use and offer maximum impact, so keep reading to learn exactly how to use makeup highlighter and which of our favorites will turn up the wattage on your well-lit reflection.

How to Use Makeup Highlighters

What differentiates a highlighter from a blush or eyeshadow? It’s their ability to reflect light, whether you’re standing in the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course) or indoors with nothing but the blue light of a screen. So before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about how much versatility a makeup highlighter brings to the table.

A makeup highlighter can be applied anywhere to the high points of the face and body. Their reflective compounds add a dynamic dimension to a final look (think about the contrast to a dramatic contour).

You can dial the sparkle down to bring attention to certain areas, like the top of your cheekbone, or create an all-over glow that gives life to dull-looking skin.

What are the high points of the body? Here are the most flattering areas to apply highlighter:

• Brow bone
• The inner corner of the eyes
• Top of the cheekbone
• Tip or bridge of the nose
• Top of the upper lip
• Collar bones
• Tops of shoulders

When deciding which highlighter to use, it’s important to consider their intensity and color. For example, a glittery powder may enhance fine lines and wrinkles, but a shimmery glow will bring out a youthful radiance.

Also, certain colors, like a vanilla-toned highlighter, are universally flattering. And others can be next-level gorgeous depending on your skin tone. More on that later.

How and When to Apply Makeup Highlighter

Now that you know its many uses, let’s talk about how to use makeup highlighter. Keep in mind that this differs from a face contouring technique, where various shades of foundations and powders are used to create more sculpted features.

The first rule to follow is that liquid or creamy formulas go on first, and powders go on after. This applies to all makeup (with one exception: eyeliner).

• Be intentional about where you want your makeup highlighter to go and centrally press it into the skin using a makeup brush, your very clean fingers, or a sponge.

The second rule is to blend! Blending is the lifeblood of a great makeup application, and it takes practice to get the results you’ve envisioned from that YouTube tutorial.

• Blending should happen even while first applying highlighter, so keep those application tools moving. Diffuse the makeup outwardly to where you want it to end.
• Step back from the mirror, and make sure your application is even and seamless.
• Blend another layer in to punch it up. It’s easier to add more than to erase a mistake.   

The third rule is to break the rules. Want to add highlighter to body lotion for all-over shimmer? Go ahead!

• Once you learn how to use makeup highlighters, their uses are up to your imagination. Here are our favorites to get your creativity flowing.

Your One-Stop Shop – All skin tones can start with the four complimentary colors in the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Glow Kit. This vegan highlighter set can be used on the eyes, face, and body. The buildable versatility of these shades allows you to brighten or add a touch of reflective warmth and glow to any area. It has just the right amount of shimmer, and with names like marshmallow, gumdrop, starburst, and butterscotch, how can anyone resist?

Pencil It In – Eyebrow die-hards that are familiar with how to use makeup highlighter can trust in Anastasia’s Beverly Hills Highlighting Duo Pencil. This creamy, self-setting pencil has a matte side to fiercely define an eyebrow arch and a shimmery side for a natural-looking glow. It’s also great for precise applications on the eye corners or high points of the face. Remember to blend!  

For Mature Skin – Too much sparkle can bring unwanted attention to problem areas, which is why we’re grateful for Laura Geller’s Baked Original Highlighter. Learning how to apply highlighter powder is easy with this exceptional product. This subtly glowing powder can be used anywhere, including under the eyes, for a fresh brightening effect. Vitamin E, white tea, and gotu kola add antioxidant protection for your delicate skin, and jojoba oil leaves this powder formula with a creamy, soft finish. 

Light Up from Within – Get that “just came from the spa” look with Perricone MD’s No Makeup Highlighter. Okay, is it a serum, or is it a highlighter? It’s both! Use this multi-tasker before applying makeup to get immediate radiant skin and benefit from its vitamin C ester, which brightens and evens skin tone with continued use. This serum is perfect for achieving an all-over dewy effect, so mix a little into your moisturizer for maximum benefits.

A Kiss of Color – Makeup highlighters don’t have to be neutral-toned to get a lit look. A pop of color can add a luscious flush of brightness and definition. Have some surprising fun with bareMinerals’ Loose Powder Blush in Rose Radiance. Its iridescent sheerness can go on top of matte blush or be used by itself. Experiment with how to apply highlighter and blush with this skin-tone-friendly shade all over your body. And feel good that it lives up to bareMinerals’ clean, cruelty-free standards. 

Golden Hour – Going out for the night? Turn up the brightness with bareMinerals’ Endless Glow Highlighter in Fierce. And don’t be shy because this golden, powder-to-cream shade also blurs imperfections and has long-lasting wear. Fairer skin tones can apply lightly for a gentle glow, and medium to dark skin tones can layer this highlighter to look like you’re walking around with your own personal sunset. This is another great shade that inspires creativity and looks absolutely stunning.

Learning how to use makeup highlighter should be a fun experience. If the glowing result puts a smile on your face, you did it! And to keep the good times rolling, check out the Beauty Resource Center for more valuable makeup tips, haircare advice, and more. Think of it as your other must-have beauty tool.