 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![How To Use Your Highlighter Correctly](https://media.sheerluxe.com/9VA_fZgHdgUqrzNlY5ZpQHhK-ZA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fnew-highlighters.jpg?itok=OSehCoHb)

  

 

 



 

  ISTOCK/SVETIKD 

 

 

 

[Beauty](/beauty)

 /  12 August 2021  

#  How To Use Your Highlighter Correctly  


Highlighter can enhance your bone structure and make you look more youthful. It just comes down to the right texture and correct application. Here, make-up artist, Valeria Ferreira, shares her tips…  


[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/0/favourites)

 

  ISTOCK/SVETIKD 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 



 

### Apply It Before Your Base

“If you’re aiming for an overall glow, apply your highlighter before your foundation for a dewier base. This may sound odd, but it’s a make-up artist trick that works every time; your dewy highlighter breathes through your base more naturally. It’s also worth mixing your highlighter in with your base if you’re after more general radiance that doesn’t need too much thought. But remember, using the latter technique will give you an overall glow, not a targeted highlighting effect. Opt for formulas like [Crème de La Mer’s Hydrating Illuminator](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=24448&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.net-a-porter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fla-mer%2Fbeauty%2Fhighlighter%2Fthe-hydrating-illuminator-40ml%2F17957409490541191) if you want a pretty sheen that blends with the rest of your make-up or [Charlotte Tilbury’s cult Glowgasm](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011l4QSA/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlottetilbury.com%2Fuk%2Fproduct%2Fbeauty-light-wand-highlighter-goldgasm).”

### Stick To Brushes

“Try to apply your highlighter with a soft brush and then use a beauty blender (or a sponge) to erase any edges. I also use what I call a ‘double glow’ technique. This consists of applying a cream or liquid highlighter, and then setting it with a powder highlighter. First, apply the cream highlighter with a brush, then airbrush it with a damp sponge. Finally, use a soft, fluffy brush to go over the skin very lightly with a powdery, silky highlighter. This allows for more of a soft-focus glow that’s even, but also very believable and ethereal-looking.”

### Know The Areas To Avoid

“The best places to apply your highlighter are the areas where you want to enhance volume – so, for instance, your cheekbones, forehead, and cupid’s bow. Avoid highlighting an area where the pores are enlarged or where texture is uneven, because you’ll only draw attention to this further. If you’re someone with rough skin, highlight with a lighter, brightening concealer instead. Look for a product that’s matte, but doesn’t have any iridescence, as these formulas will again just draw attention to problematic skin.”

### Keep Shimmer To A Minimum

“If you have oily skin and therefore tend to glow naturally, you probably don’t need a highlighter. However, you can use it on your brow bone or on the very high point of your cheekbones. If your skin texture is uneven, highlighters can pick up on imperfections, so it’s better to highlight with ‘light’ instead of shimmer. Cream, liquids and powders are all great, but it’s good to invest in those with small shimmer particles. These provide a glow that looks like it comes from within, rather than appearing cakey or thick.”

 

 

 



 

 

 Apply your highlighter to the areas where you want to enhance volume – so, for instance, your cheekbones, forehead, and cupid’s bow. Avoid highlighting an area where the pores are enlarged or where texture is uneven.  
 

 



 

 

 

 

 

### Mix It With Your Blusher

“If you want to tint your highlighter, mix it with a liquid blush or bronzer before buffing it into your skin. The Armani A-Blush is great for this as it’s so sheer and buildable. Another trick is to use a cream blusher, then apply a powder over it. This will boost the volume of your cheeks and give both colour and shine.”

### Don’t Confuse Highlight With Gloss

“A lot of people think the wet-skin look can be achieved with highlighters, but really, you want to look for clear textures to do this. Think of these more like ‘dew enhancers’ – or glosses for the skin. BeautyBlender do an incredible one called [Glass Glow Shinelighter](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35269&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cultbeauty.co.uk%2Fbeautyblender-glass-glow-shinelighter.html), and Topshop has its Ultra Gloss in Glass. They are clear and can be used to give instant luminosity – without any colour, shimmer or sheen. The application technique is similar to a normal highlighter, too.”

### Match Your Tone

“While it’s hard to go wrong, it is possible to choose an incorrect highlighter shade. This happens a lot with darker skin tones, as shading can really vary. If you end up with the wrong colour, it can give off more of an ashy appearance and this isn’t flattering on anyone. If you’re unsure, always ask a beauty advisor or swatch it when you’re out shopping – the same as you would for a foundation or concealer. Both [Fenty](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boots.com%2Ffenty-beauty-diamond-bomb-all-over-diamond-veil-10263130) and [Danessa Myricks](https://www.danessamyricksbeauty.com/) do wonderful formulas for darker skin tones, with plenty of bronze undertones that blend beautifully.”

### Remember, There Are No Hard &amp; Fast Rules

“There are no rules when it comes to highlighter – just endless styles and tastes. You can be more of a minimalist and just use a little on the cheekbones, or amp things up and get creative. Don’t be afraid to play and mix textures. Providing you take a steady, light-handed approach and know your skin and the textures that suit it, you can’t go too wrong.”

Follow Valeria for more beauty tips, advice and IGTV’s [here](https://www.instagram.com/valeriaferreiramakeup/?hl=en).

### *Shop Valeria’s Top Highlighter Picks...*

 

 

 

 ![Aura Dew - Face, Eyes, Lips from Shiseido](https://media.sheerluxe.com/66pFjxFvh2m8CE1IVMqpr-Jp8As=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fshiseidoauradewfaceeyeslips_0.png?itok=MaaegLVl)

 

 

 

[#### Aura Dew - Face, Eyes, Lips](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35269&murl=https%3A//www.cultbeauty.co.uk/shiseido-aura-dew-face-eyes-lips.html)

##### Shiseido, 



£28

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Glass Glow Shinelighter from Beautyblender ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/x-czmhbgBqJw-lPJ-E3ixzqtcHo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fbeautyblenderglassglowshinelighter_0.png?itok=f9v7Cffi)

 

 

 

[#### Glass Glow Shinelighter](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35269&murl=https%3A//www.cultbeauty.co.uk/beautyblender-glass-glow-shinelighter.html)

##### Beautyblender, 



£22

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base from Burberry ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/VdpfFRXLxiivEpNWYvW6FQoJ-uM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fburberryfreshglowluminousfluidbase_0.png?itok=fDalOPIk)

 

 

 

[#### Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base](https://uk.burberry.com/fresh-glow-luminous-fluid-base-nude-radiance-no01-p40435761)

##### Burberry, 



£23

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil from Fenty Beauty ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/1LWCDP0A_h14rlBlnYVvSGUHkEg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Ffentybeautydiamondbomb_0.png?itok=T5YL_3Gf)

 

 

 

[#### Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2041&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.boots.com/fenty-beauty-diamond-bomb-all-over-diamond-veil-10263130)

##### Fenty Beauty, 



£31

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Beauty Light Wand - Goldgasm  from Charlotte Tilbury ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/6QZOkr65N56e3xsXt3ogfu2xp3A=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fhollywood-beauty-light-wand_0.png?itok=eOmIRMBt)

 

 

 

[#### Beauty Light Wand - Goldgasm ](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1011l4QSA/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlottetilbury.com%2Fuk%2Fproduct%2Fbeauty-light-wand-highlighter-goldgasm)

##### Charlotte Tilbury, 



£29

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Heaven's Hue Highlighter  from Stila](https://media.sheerluxe.com/amtYSWxQv5t4vJW-XGNw5S_TadE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fstilaheavenshuehighlighter_0.png?itok=1xv-XTs_)

 

 

 

[#### Heaven's Hue Highlighter ](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2082&awinaffid=69421&ued=https%3A//www.lookfantastic.com/stila-heaven-s-hue-highlighter-10g-various-shades/11396702.html)

##### Stila, 



£28

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Torche Lumière from Surratt](https://media.sheerluxe.com/KwDyEiJrQJOsM-3ubPkKobTPWPU=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fsurratttorchelumiereindiamante_0.png?itok=dNjOULPa)

 

 

 

[#### Torche Lumière](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=36362&murl=https%3A//www.spacenk.com/uk/makeup/cheeks/highlighter/torche-lumiere-MUK300053896.html)

##### Surratt, 



£50

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![109 Luxe Face Paint Brush  from Zoeva Cosmetics ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/qlyqWO4mTPE1V7FuXE5ZeK8xIg0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2021%2F08%2Fzoeva109luxefacepaintbrush_0.png?itok=A1Q80Uwc)

 

 

 

[#### 109 Luxe Face Paint Brush ](https://zoevacosmetics.co.uk/products/109-luxe-face-paint-brush)

##### Zoeva Cosmetics, 



£10.50 *(was £15)*

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/0/favourites "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

  

## *more from*

### Beauty



 [View All Beauty](/beauty) 

  ![Smokey Eye Tutorial](https://media.sheerluxe.com/-evGruKbWQiSSDsMGqi3jdupZxg=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Fbeauty-school-thumb-2705.png?itok=1_d7FiEA)

  

 

 



 

[Make-up](/beauty/make-up)

/

  27 May 2025  

 [##  Smokey Eye Tutorial  


 

 ](/beauty/make-up/smokey-eye-tutorial) 

 

 

 

  ![The SL Directory: Spray Tan Experts](https://media.sheerluxe.com/K300S9u88rjpHwCywG74RRvsCX8=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F05%2Fsl-site-assets-230525-thumb-hero-sl-directory-spray-tans.jpg?itok=q4h73c7B)

  

 

 



 

[Bath &amp; Body](/beauty/bath-body)

/

  23 May 2025  

 [##  The SL Directory: Spray Tan Experts  


 

 ](/beauty/bath-body/best-spray-tan-london) 

 

 

 

  ![How To Depuff & Tone Your Body With Massage](https://media.sheerluxe.com/fj5Iyh0QzVAkd79L7CAcBE6rnf0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F04%2Fbeauty-school-thumb-2804.png?itok=ZfKkjNje)

  

 

 



 

[Bath &amp; Body](/beauty/bath-body)

/

  28 April 2025  

 [##  How To Depuff &amp; Tone Your Body With Massage  


 

 ](/beauty/bath-body/how-to-depuff-tone-your-body-with-massage) 

 

 

 

  ![The SL Directory: Microblading Experts](https://media.sheerluxe.com/iULKrPxp7_NJMnQal_762YSy4h8=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F01%2Fsl-site-assets-040225-thumb-hero-sl-directory-microblading.jpg?itok=LcICTNTC)

  

 

 



 

[Hair &amp; Nails](/beauty/hair-nails)

/

  04 February 2025  

 [##  The SL Directory: Microblading Experts  


 

 ](/beauty/hair-nails/best-microblading-london) 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 



  

 Share This Story

 [Facebook

 ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fbeauty%2Fhow-use-your-highlighter-correctly&t=How+To+Use+Your+Highlighter+Correctly) [ Pinterest

 ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fbeauty%2Fhow-use-your-highlighter-correctly&description=How+To+Use+Your+Highlighter+Correctly&media=) [ E-mail

 ](<mailto:?subject=How To Use Your Highlighter Correctly&body=Hi%0A%0AI&#039;ve just read this article https://sw18.sheerluxe.com/beauty/how-use-your-highlighter-correctly and thought you might like it, too.%0A%0ASheerLuxe is your in-the-know friend keeping you up to date with everything new in fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle %26 home.%0A%0AYou can sign up for the FREE daily newsletter here. https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsignup%3Fseed%3Dsharing%26utm_source%3DWebsite%26utm_medium%3DSL%26utm_campaign%3DEmail%26utm_id%3DSharing>) 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@sheerluxe.com>.

 

 

 

  ##  Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home 

###  Delivered to your inbox, daily 

 [Subscribe](/signup)