What is Face Highlighting?
Face highlighting is a makeup technique that uses light-reflecting products to brighten and enhance specific facial features. It's all about using light to make a face look its best (Reference 1). Highlighter, which comes in liquid, cream, or powder formulas (Reference 4), is applied to areas that naturally catch light, creating a luminous and sculpted look.
Highlighter works best in areas that naturally pick up light (Reference 2). Common areas include:
- Cheekbones: Applying highlighter to the apples of your cheeks adds a radiant glow.
- Bridge of the nose: A subtle highlight down the center of the nose creates a slimming effect.
- Cupid's bow: Highlighting the dip above your upper lip enhances lip shape.
- Inner corners of the eyes: This brightens the eyes and makes them appear larger.
- Brow bone: Applying highlighter under the eyebrow arch lifts and defines the brows.
- Temples: Highlighting the temples can soften harsh lines and add dimension.
How Highlighter Works
Highlighter reflects light, drawing attention to specific features and creating the illusion of dimension and radiance (Reference 4). The placement and type of highlighter influence the overall effect. For example, a subtle highlight might enhance natural features, while a more dramatic application can create a more sculpted look. The application method, whether it's blending with a brush or finger, also matters.
Different Types of Highlighters
Highlighters come in various forms, each with its own characteristics:
- Powder highlighters: These are generally easy to blend and offer a subtle sheen.
- Cream highlighters: These are often more pigmented and provide a dewy, radiant finish.
- Liquid highlighters: These can offer buildable coverage and a luminous glow.
