Writer and expert6 years ago

How to Highlight your Face, a Step by Step Guide

Highlighter is a beauty trend that looks good on everyone, adding a touch of radiance to areas of the face where the light hits. It also helps to enhance your best features by drawing focus to them. This look is incredibly easy to achieve, and can be adapted to suit a daytime or evening occasion. If you're looking to perfect the art of how to highlight and illuminate your face, this comprehensive guide will help you achieve a flawless application that looks effortlessly chic and glamourous. We've sourced the best highlighter makeup products to simplify your search.

There are several types of highlighter to choose from, depending on your the type of finish you prefer...

Powder Highlighter

Powder highlighter is universally flattering and suits all skin types. These finely milled powders are formulated to sit well on top of existing makeup products, so you can be sure your base won't be interrupted.

High pigment Powder Highlighters

As the first option, you can opt for a powder highlighter that's highly pigmented, such as the Illamasqua Beyond Powder, which delivers an intense metallic glow. The shade 'OMG' is a unique champagne tone that has light-reflecting pigments. It looks incredible on all skin tones and can even be used as an eyeshadow. The shade 'Epic' is more tailored towards deeper skin tones as it falls in the bronze spectrum.

Highlighter Palettes

If you're looking for a highlighter palette with several shade options, we recommend the By Terry Sun Designer Palette which houses six warm toned powder highlight, bronze and blush shades. With endless shade combinations and the ability to mix the tones together, this is the ultimate palette to suit both fair and tanned complexions.

Sheer Highlighters

If you prefer a more natural highlighter, you can select a sheer highlighting powder that creates a subtle 'lit from within' sheen. We love the Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo which contains two beautiful buttery highlighters. Whenever you're running late for work or an event, it's quick and easy to apply a sheer wash of colour to the top of your cheeks. This technique will make your skin look instantly healthy and naturally luminous. As a final step, set your highlighter with the Eve Lom Radiance Face Mist.

We advise using a fan brush or a tapered powder brush to pick up the optimum amount of highlighter. Apply sparingly to the tops of your cheekbones, cupids bow and the tip of the nose.

The Tools

Liquid Highlight

Liquid highlighter is the best choice for a wet-look dewy highlight with an intense shimmer effect. It's a multipurpose product that can be used under or above foundation, or mixed in with moisturiser to create a radiance-boosting primer.

For best results, apply sparingly with your fingers or with a stippling brush. To intensify the effect, you can add apply a powder highlighter on top.

Best Liquid Highlighters

Cream Highlight

For a natural-looking highlight, we opt for cream formulas. Best applied and blended with fingers, this is the product that will help you create the perfect 'no makeup' makeup look with an undetectable but ethereal glow. For a holiday bronzed look, pair your cream highlighter with a cream bronzer such as the one housed in the travel-friendly Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo mirrored compact.

Best Cream Highlighters

To add a touch of radiance to your skincare routine, read our dedicated blog post 10 Best Products for a Radiant Glow.To complement your highlighter with blush, read our guide How to Create a Natural Blush Look.