In the makeup world, foundation and bronzer are very important. They’re the go-to staples that people turn to for coverage and color. However, today we want to talk about highlighter, which has been stealing the spotlight lately.
Highlighters are just as important as the two aforementioned makeup products because they deliver luminosity and brightening qualities that can completely transform your complexion. Lets see How to Apply Liquid and Powder Highlighter on Face.
Highlighter is a makeup product that can completely change your beauty look. If applied correctly, it gives you glowing look where people can’t place what’s different, just that you look amazing.
Highlighter draws the light to an area of the face, and it does this whether you simultaneously employ contour powder or not. Today’s highlighters have shimmer, sometimes glitter, and come in a huge variety of formulas and bases/undertones.
Whether cheekbone or cupid’s bow, adding light does dramatic things for every face. You don’t even need to be wearing a full face of foundation to pop those eyebrow arches or make lips extra pouty. Highlighter can be artfully applied with a brush, mixed into foundation, or swiped on with fingers or a stick. As the matte skin look wanes in popularity, highlighting products add a pinch of fairy appeal without making the skin look shiny.
To show our devotion to highlighters everywhere, we’re breaking down the basics of both liquid and powder illuminators so you never have to question their roles in your life again.
Liquid and Powder highlighters are not the same, and therefore serve different purposes. Liquid illuminators are typically more pigmented than powder-based formulas and should be used to accentuate or brighten specific spots on the face. You know the strobing craze that’s been hitting the beauty scene? Liquid illuminators are perfect for that!
Powder illuminators typically have softer application and deliver more of a sheer, shimmery finish. These types of products work well over foundation or blush to lend your skin that all-over dewy look.
ALSO READ- What is Face Highlighter?
How to Apply Liquid and Powder Highlighter
Liquid Highlighter
Liquid highlighters are the most versatile no matter your skill level. One dab can illuminate a matte foundation, define cheekbones, or add all over shimmer!
When using a liquid highlighter, make sure to use a blending sponge or finger to work it into the skin. After applying foundation — before you reach for concealer — dot the liquid along the areas of the face that are naturally hit by the sun (the top of cheekbones, bridge of nose, brow bone, Cupid’s bow, etc.).
Make sure to not go overboard and apply thick streaks of the formula, as it will look too drastic. The key is for the liquid to blend into skin naturally and subtly.
If you have bad under-eye bags or dark circles, simply dot highlighter under the eye area and in the inner corners, blending downward toward the lower cheekbone. This will brighten your eyes and make you look more awake (even if you’re running on a couple hours of sleep). Simply add a squirt into your moisturizer and see glow on your face.
Powder Highlighter
The original highlight method used plain old bone white and light colored powders to add light to the face, usually without shimmer. Today, having at least some shimmer is the actual goal.
Powders are also where you find the most universal shade: the golden peachy highlight. Using a lighter hand is typically the best way to apply these treasures since they’re super saturated with color, and blending will get you far.
Those of you with lighter skin tones my want to skew more toward pink, while darker may want to shoot for what some brands consider bronzes. The color should blend nicely with your skin tone, rather than leaving an obvious stripe of sparkles.
When using a powder-based illuminator, use either a medium-sized fluffy powder brush or an angled powder brush for application. After applying foundation, dust highlighter on the cheeks, chin, nose and top of forehead. Because the application is less localized than that of liquid highlighter, the result is more of an all-over dewy glow, as opposed to a contoured one. You can also swipe a little along the top of the brows to accentuate their shape.
So these were the simple tricks and tips to apply Liquid and Powder Highlighter.
So which one you prefer for your face liquid or powder highlighter? Which is your favourite highlighter? Do let me know in comments section below.
16 Comments
I have used this product & I can say its awesome 🙂
Great, 🙂 I love your explanation
this is a life saviour. Thank you soo much for the detailed post.
Such a well explained post about using the correct highlighter. Choosing and applying the highlighter correctly is a majorly important step in your makeup right? the NYX Born to Glow highlighter Ian one of my favourites
Thanks for sharing this, I always wanted to try Liquid Highlighter, but didn’t do as of now. It will be a good tutorial to me.
Highlighters are my favourite product after mascara. Highlighters makes the whole look stand out. I prefer liquid or creme based highlighter because they stay longer and give a visible effect.
Great info on the Highlighter. You seem to have explained in details how they need to be applied and how it improves one look. Great pics 🙂
I always do mistakes while applying highlighter. this post was really helpful for me.
i have never been able to get a highlight going on my face. it just comes out really weird. i will follow these tips and try again. thanks
I was planning to buy a highlighter. Basically I have used powder highlighter but dont have any experience about liquid one. I am going to buy a liquid one this time. Thanks for giving all the details here.
Its great to know about the proper application procedure of liquid highlighter from the article. Personally I always prefer powder highlighters though.
I love using highlighters. Hourglass, Marc Jacobs dew drops, Becca champagne pop, dior luminiser and charlotte tilbury filmstar glow are some of my faves. I also like makeup revolution ones. I find liquid ones are more versatile in terms of mixing with different formulas.
Wow this is definitely a great guide for a beginner like myself..
These are some of the highlighters I have been meaning to buy. And the post is quite helpful for a novice like me. I tried once to make a highlighter out of the shiny lipstick didn’t work out that’s when I realized I need to buy one. This post helps.
Was looking for such a post from a long time! Thank you so much for this one. I want to start using a highlighter but was a little hesitant. But now all my doubts are cleared and I would go with Wet & Wild’s highlighter!! 😬
I have been meaning to buy the NY illuminator for a while now but I was always worried if I old use it right. I love this blog explaining the difference and the use.