Highlighting 101: Types of Highlighters and Where to Apply

It is without a doubt that highlighters have been a hot commodity in the beauty industry. It all began with applying a small amount of highlighter to add sparkle to your makeup look, then it slowly transitioned into bathing in highlighter to look like a disco ball or glazed donut (whichever you prefer). Did you know that highlighter comes in different textures and can be applied on different areas of your face besides your cheekbones?

Highlighter Textures:

• Pressed Highlighter: This form of highlighter comes in a pressed powder similar to face powders in compacts. This type of highlighter can be applied with a fan brush, angled brush or a tapered highlighter brush. Take your desired brush and swipe it across the highlighter and apply. The great thing about pressed highlighters is that they are easily buildable.

• Cream Highlighter: This is one of my favorite forms of highlighter because it doesn’t require a brush to apply it. I like to apply cream highlighter directly onto my cheekbones by swiping it and then using my fingers to pat it onto my skin. Rubbing the product into your skin versus patting may result in uneven application. Using your fingers to pat the highlighter onto your skin is beneficial because the warmth of your body will allow the product to blend seamlessly.

• Loose Powder Highlighter: This form of highlighter is similar to loose face powder. It comes in a container with small holes which allow you to control how much product you want to disperse and use. Take your favorite highlighter brush and swirl it around the cap of the container and then apply.

• Liquid Highlighter: You can find liquid highlighter in either a tube or in packaging similar to a nail polish bottle. This form of highlighter can also be applied using just your fingers. Squeeze the product from the packaging and apply a few dots on the desired area and pat down the product. Liquid highlighters are your best bet if you’d like to achieve an ultra dewy, glowy finish.

Where to Apply Highlighter:

When I was first introduced to highlighters, I was under the impression that it could only be applied to your cheekbones. Later, I learned that highlighter can be applied on any area of your face where you wish to reflect light such as your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, the center of your forehead, your brow bones and the tip of your chin. Sounds like a lot of highlighting, huh? Don’t worry, you don’t have to apply highlighter to all the areas mentioned, just where you would like to accentuate your features. Have fun with it!

Author: Jasmeet Gosal @jasmeetgosal