How To Use Highlighter On Face: 7 Common Mistakes To Avoid

The lit-from-within glowing skin makeup trend is here to stay because luminous skin is always in! But there’s a thin line between looking like a walking disco ball and getting naturally glowing skin using a highlighter. It all depends on how to use highlighter on face and where to apply highlighter. From glowy cheekbones to a touch of shine on the brow bone, applying highlighter the right way and on the right places on the face can help lift and brighten your complexion, give your skin a luminous, dewy glow, and define your features. But it’s easy to have highlighter blindness (yes, that’s a thing!) So to help you look like a radiant goddess.

Ways to use highlighter on face. 

1. Messing up highlighter placement 

The use of highlighter in makeup is for the light to hit areas of the face that you wish to define or draw attention to, like the high points of your face. Here’s where to apply highlighter to get it right every time: 

• Cheekbones - It’s the first and easiest spot to apply, but also the easiest to mess up. Dab the product on the cheekbones to help highlight your bone structure that will help define your face. Blend the product upward toward the temples to give your face a soft, lifted look. 

• Brow Bone - Often overlooked, but a spot which can make a world of difference in making your eyes look more awake, and make them pop while giving your brows a lifted look. 

• Bridge of the Nose - Another common one, this highlighter placement helps lightly contour the nose area while giving you a fresh & glowy look. 

• Cupid’s Bow - Applying a touch of highlighter at the centre of your top lip, aka the cupid’s bow, can help give lips a fuller appearance. But be mindful of the placement, otherwise you might end up with a shimmery moustache. 

• Inner Corners of the Eyes - A placement that a lot of people tend to skip, but applying a touch of highlighter with your pinky fingers on the inner corners of the eyes will help you achieve a more ‘awake’ look & brighten the otherwise dark eye area. 

• Centre of the Eyelids - Adding highlighter to your eyelids brings just the right amount of glow to tie your whole look together. Even when you’re wearing minimal makeup, just a touch of highlighter on the eyes can take the look up a notch. 

• Chin - Apply just a light touch of highlighter on the centre of the chin to give your face an elongated appearance. But be sure to blend it out well for a natural look. 

• Collarbones - Your body can do with a touch of highlighter too, especially if you want to flaunt your collarbones. Apply some product across your collarbones to highlight them too. 

2. Using the wrong product or shade

The use of highlighter in makeup should help you define & add structure to your face, and not wash you out, or make your face look like a greaseball. To avoid this, ensure you pick the right formula and right shade based on your skin’s needs. For example, if you have a warm undertone, opt for gold or bronze tones in your highlighter; and if you have a cool undertone, then a silver or pearly highlighter is best for you. But that’s not all, you still have to choose a formulation! To help you make a decision, let’s simplify the types of highlighter formulae: 

• Cream Highlighter - Ideal to create a dewy, glass skin look, this type of highlighter is buildable, blendable and easy to use. You can use your fingers, a brush, or a makeup sponge to apply this product. 

• Powder Highlighter - Ideal for oily skin, this helps offer a subtle shine without making skin look greasy. The Simply Nam Cosmic Glow Highlighter Duo has a buildable & blendable formula, with 2 versatile shades that look flattering on every skin tone. Apply this using a fan brush or fingers for precise application. 

• Liquid Highlighter - Just as easy to apply, liquid highlighters are of a more fluid consistency. Best applied by fingers or a makeup sponge, the Simply Nam Pixie Dust Multi-Use Glitter Glow is ideal for all skin types, feels non-sticky & offers the perfect noticeable glow you’re seeking. 

3. Applying too much highlighter 

Mastering how to use highlighter for face starts with one rule: 'less is more’, because there’s nothing called too much highlighter (and we mean it!) Excessive use of highlighter in makeup will only make your face look sweaty, oily, and unnecessarily shiny. Use a small amount to keep your face looking radiant, defined & just the right amount of glowy! 

4. Using highlighter with the wrong base products 

A highlighter, just like every other makeup product, requires a good base. If your foundation is not blended well or the shade doesn’t match your skin tone, it will make your highlighter look clumpy & harsh on your skin tone. Another thing to consider when picking your base products according to your highlighter is matching their formulations. Use a powder foundation with a powder highlighter, a cream one with a cream highlighter, and the same applies for liquid formulations. This will help ensure your products are blended well and don’t look clumpy against each other. Also, avoid using any base products with added shimmer to avoid your face looking overly highlighted or covered in shimmer. 

5. Not considering the lighting situation 

The use of highlighter in makeup is to attract light in a way that defines your features. Hence, considering the lighting is crucial. If the lighting situation is dim or softly lit, then opt for a sparkly highlighter that will reflect light beautifully, enhancing your appearance. On the other hand, if you’re going to be spending your day wandering about under the sun, then opt for a subtle highlighter to give a subtle, dewy shine. Either way, it is best to avoid metallic highlighters as they may look a little too harsh. 

6. Using the wrong brushes or tools to apply

How to use highlighter for face in the best way possible has a lot to do with the tools or brushes you use to apply it. Contrary to what most people believe, tools don’t really matter when it comes to the use of highlighter in makeup. When applying a powder highlighter, use a fan brush to apply the product precisely that will help offer a natural-looking finish. Whereas, when using cream or liquid highlighters, use the Simply Nam Pro Microfibre Makeup Sponge or your fingers to blend the product evenly. 

7. Not matching your makeup with your highlighter

Here’s a golden (but lesser-known) rule on how to use highlighter for face:

Mixing cool and warm tones? Not the best idea.If your blush is cool-toned, pair it with a cool-toned highlighter. Same goes for warm tones. This little switch gives your face a cohesive, seamless finish.