How to Use Highlighter Makeup
0 The lights are shining, the tree has been trimmed, the stockings have been stuffed and the gifts have (almost all) been wrapped. As our advent calendars inch us closer and closer to Christmas, the joy of the holidays isn’t the only thing making women glow this season.
Borrowing several pages from the girly-girl handbook, highlighter is one of my all time favorite makeup products. It seems that how to apply and wear highlighter correctly has left many women baffled and confused, but with the right instruction and practice, you too can shimmer and shine!
Highlighter should not be applied carelessly, but rather with the precision and creativity of an artist. Take a look at your face in the mirror. If you have ever worn bronzer, you know that purpose of bronzer is to darken areas of the face that you want to contour and shade. With highlighter, the goal is to “catch the light” on areas of your face that you want to pop or standout. (Think cheekbones, apples of the cheeks, bridge of the nose, jaw bone, and underneath the eyebrows). Also, keep in mind that highlighter will illuminate any skin imperfections if you aren’t careful to start with a clean base. Prep your skin with a hydrating primer and smooth foundation, and your highlighter application will leave you looking ethereal and angelic.
The beautiful Emmy Rossum uses an illuminating highlighter to draw attention to her high cheekbones. Try Moon Beam by Benefit to recreate this look at home.
Zooey Deschanel was positively radiant at GQ’s 2011 Man of the Year Party. Her skin was effortlessly glowing, with highlights in all the right places. For a subtle shimmer, try this Shimmer Brick Compact by Bobbi Brown. I purchased my first shimmer brick in 2003, and it has been the perfect way to highlight my combination skin without adding any liquid.
In addition to sweeping highlighter along her nose and cheekbones, Ashlee Simpson also snuck a little on the outer corner of her eyes. Notice how adding a dab of highlighter to the outside edge really widens the eye and opens the face? So beautiful! The Artificial Light Luminizing Powder by Smashbox is the perfect choice for precision application and a flawless finish.
