Where to use highlighter: Key takeaways

• Highlighter is the perfect way to add shine and glow to your makeup routine. You can use highlighter on eyes, nose, cupid’s bow, cheekbones, collarbones, and more.
• When learning how to use highlighter, start by applying a small amount of highlighter directly to the area you are accentuating and blend well.
• Avoid using highlighters in areas where you have oil buildup on the skin, e.g. the T zone.
• For a liquid glow that's easy to apply, add Maybelline’s Sunkisser Highlighter to your makeup routine!

What Is Highlighter Makeup?

First, let's deal with the main question: what is highlighter?

Highlighter makeup is the hidden gem of the cosmetic world; it adds shimmer and shine to the skin, creating a radiant and luminous look. It is typically used to accentuate and enhance the bone structure of areas like the cheekbones, brow bone, and bridge of the nose. Highlighter can also be used to draw attention to certain features, such as the inner corners of the eyes or the cupid's bow of the lips.

When it comes to using highlighter, less is more. Start with a small amount and apply it after your foundation to wherever you want to add a more sculpted look to that day.

Where to apply highlighter?

Wondering where to apply highlighter, the real question is, where can’t you? Here’s our list of the most common areas that highlighters are used on:

Highlighter for eyes

Applying highlighter to eyes is one of the most common uses of it. When applied to the inner corners of the eye, highlighter works perfectly alongside eye makeup to widen and brighten your eyes. You can also use highlighter as a shimmery eyeshadow or create a subtle cat-eye effect by applying it along the upper lash line.

Highlighter on brows

Applying highlighter to the brow bone can help to lift and define the brows. Use a small amount of highlighter on brows and blend well with a light touch to avoid a harsh look.

Highlighter on nose

Highlighter can be used to slim and straighten the nose by applying it along the bridge. Start at the top of the nose and blend highlighter down towards the tip using a light hand.

Highlighter on cheeks

The cheekbones are one of the most common places to apply highlighter. Apply highlighter to the tops of the cheekbones and blend outward. You can also create a more dramatic look by applying highlighter on cheeks in a C-shape from the temples to the apples of the cheeks and pairing it with a complementary blush shade. 

Highlighter on lips

Applying highlighter to the cupid's bow of the lips can help to make them look fuller and more pouty. Use a small amount of highlighter on lips and blend well to avoid a super shiny look. For an even more glamorous look, pair your lip highlighter with a plumping lip gloss or stylish lipstick. 

Highlighter on chin

Highlighter can be used to define the chin and create a more sculpted look. Apply highlighter to the centre of the chin and blend outward

Highlighter oncollarbone

Applying highlighter to the collarbone can help to draw attention to the décolletage and create a more glamorous look. Use a light hand and blend well.

How to use stick contour

Looking for maximum shine and minimal effort? Stick highlighters make adding glow and defining your features easy. To use a stick highlighter, just:

1. Apply the highlighter directly to the area you want to enhance.
2. Draw a line with the highlighter as long as you’d like the accent to be.
3. Blend the line of highlighter outwards with your fingertips

How to apply highlighter powder

When you’re learning how to use highlighter, powder highlighters are a great place to start. With a matte finish that’s much less likely to smudge or crease, powder highlighters are an ideal choice for larger areas like the cheeks or collarbone. Using powder highlighter is easy, simply:

1. Grab your favourite makeup brush and swirl it into the highlighter powder.
2. Apply the brush to the area you’re highlighting and blend outwards.
3. Add a more intense shine by adding more layers.

How do you apply liquid highlighter

For a dewy, gloss finish that adds an intense shine to areas, go for a liquid highlighter. Liquid highlighter is perfect for smaller areas, making it an ideal highlighter for eyes or brows.

But, how do you apply liquid highlighter?

1. First, decide if you’re using a brush or your fingertips to apply liquid highlighter. Brushes are better for larger areas, while fingertips give you more precision for smaller areas like the nose or eyes.
2. Apply a small amount of liquid highlighter to the desired area and blend outwards with your brush or fingertips.
3. Build up intensity and glow with more layers.

Highlighter tips

Check out our highlighter tips so you can apply highlighter like a pro:

• Before you start applying makeup, make sure to cleanse your skin. Dead skin can affect your highlighter glow, so make sure to cleanse and exfoliate before you start.
• Use a small brush to apply highlighter to the areas you want to emphasise, such as your cheekbones, brow bone, and Cupid's bow.
• Use your fingertips to apply highlighter to the smallest areas where you need the most precision.
• Key highlighter tip: Less is more. Start with a small amount of highlighter and blend it in well. You can always add more later to build up your glow if needed.
• Highlighter can be used on both powder and liquid foundations.
• If you have oily skin, you may want to use a powder highlighter to help control shine.
• If you have dry skin, you may want to use a liquid highlighter to help add moisture.
• Use a highlighter shade that complements your skin tone for a subtle, lit-from-within sheen.
• Use highlighter in spots that catch light and enhance your natural features: on cheekbones and temples, down the bridge of your nose, under brows, the inner corners of your eyes, and above the cupid's bow.
• Don’t dust or blend highlighter all over your face. This is more E.T. than chic.
• Key highlighter tip: Don’t use highlighter in areas where you have oil buildup, like your T zone.

By following our highlighter tips, you can achieve a beautiful, natural-looking highlighted look!

To add a shimmer and shine to your daily look, add Maybelline’s Sunkisser Highlighter to your daily routine today!

 

Discover our Sunkisser Highlighter