How to Apply Highlighter Like A Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting a sunkissed glow has never been easier. Everyone talks about it, but only a few know the trick on how to get it. Right at your fingertips are highlighters that you can include in your everyday makeup routine to add that light and natural glow to your face. There are so many ways how to apply a highlighter on the face to make it look airbrushed and subtle enough that it looks like a “no-makeup” makeup look. But, you can also go all out with a glam look and pack on the highlighter for a more radiant glow.
Just like every other makeup product you use, you need to be careful when applying your highlighter. There is something like “too much” highlighter and we don’t want that to happen to you. The key is to find the right area on your face that catches the light and apply it subtly in that area. You can build up on the amount of highlighter you use depending on how much you want, but be careful not to overdo it. Simplicity is key.
What Is A Highlighter?
So, what is a highlighter and how do you use it?
The highlight is a makeup product that is applied to your face to brighten/highlight certain areas of your face. The highlighter comes in different types and shades and it is applied on areas of the face to catch the light which can give your face a lifted and glowing look.
There are different ways how to use highlighter depending on the type of highlighter you go for. There are also different tips and tricks to achieve a natural look or an even more dewy and glowy look.
Types of Highlighter
As mentioned earlier, there are different types/formulas of highlighters which can determine how to apply highlighter on the face.
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Powder Highlighter:
This is the most common type of highlighter and is pretty easy to use. Most powder highlighters come in just one color or two/more colors or shades. Ensure that you choose the right shade of highlighter for your skin tone. Just like your concealer, the shade of highlighter you go for has to be a shade of two lighter than your skin tone but should have the same undertone as you.
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Liquid highlighter:
The liquid highlighter comes in cream and serum formulas. The cream highlighter has a thicker consistency than the serum highlighter. They can be used the same way a powder highlighter is used. Liquid highlighters can also be used on the body. Because of its liquid formula, it’s easier to apply on the body than a powder highlighter.
How to apply highlighter on face: Step-by-step guide
Here’s how to use highlighter the right way. Before we get to that, you need to know there are certain areas on the face where you can use a highlighter. These areas include the high point of your cheekbones, the bridge and tip of your nose, underneath the brow bone, the inner corners of the eyes, the centre of the forehead, the chin, and the cupid’s bow.
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Before makeup:
The most popular way of applying your highlighter is after your makeup. It is usually one of the last steps in your makeup routine right after you apply your blush. But applying a highlighter before your makeup is a makeup artist’s trick to getting a glow that seems like it’s coming from within.
When going with this method of applying your makeup, it works best when you’re applying a medium to full coverage foundation like our Revlon Colorstay foundation with SPF 20. This method of applying your highlighter makeup also works best with liquid highlighter.
Apply the highlighter all over your face after your primer but before your foundation makeup and continue with the rest of your makeup routine.
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After makeup:
As we mentioned earlier, applying your highlighter towards the end of your makeup routine is the most popular method of using a highlighter. This method is commonly used and is the “ideal” way of applying your makeup. To know this method of application, read our step-by-step guide to apply your face makeup on how to apply liquid highlighter or powder highlighter.
6 Tips & Tricks of Highlighter
- You can mix your highlighter with your foundation if you’re going for a soft makeup look or a full-glam makeup look.
- You can mix your highlighter with your serum or moisturiser if you’re going for a simple or “no-makeup” makeup look.
- You can apply your liquid highlighter on your body in areas like your arms, legs, collarbone, and chest.
- You can use a highlighter on your eyelids as a shimmer to make your eyes pop.
- You can get the best out of your highlighter by using setting spray on your beauty blender before setting your highlighter on your face.
- Use a brush for a powder highlighter and a beauty blender for a liquid highlighter.
Now that you have an idea of what a highlighter is and where and how to apply it to your face and body, you can explore Revlon’s range of shades of powder highlighter available for you in beautiful shades of warm, cool, and neutral undertones. Get the right shade of highlighter to complement your skin tone and let that natural glow shine through.
FAQs
Q. What is the best way to apply highlighter?
A: Different types of highlighters can be applied in different ways. The most popular type of highlighter is the powder highlighter which is best applied with a highlighter brush and is the best option for a matte makeup look.
Q. Which type of highlighter is best for beginners?
A: The best highlighter for a beginner is the powder highlighter which is pretty easy to master and use. There are different ways how to apply a highlighter powder formula that makes it the best option for a beginner.
Q. How do I choose a highlighter for Indian skin?
A: Since a highlighter is used to highlight areas on your skin/face, it needs to be a shade of two lighter than your skin tone. If you have a warm undertone, go for warm shades of highlighter with yellow undertones. If you have a cool undertone, go for cool shades with pink undertones. Choose a highlighter with cool or warm undertones if your skin tone is neutral.
