Highlighters: how to choose

How to choose highlighters

Begin with the effect you want in daylight. A highlighter can leave a soft sheen, a visible shimmer or a wet-look gleam, and the finish changes how noticeable it reads. Our pieces include shimmer, powder, stick, cream, glitter and dewy finishes, so the first choice is between a quiet lift and a more reflective surface. Placement matters too: the tops of the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose are classic, while collarbones and shoulders suit a fluid or jelly.

Next, consider control. A buildable formula lets you start with a thin layer and add more where the light falls. Cream and stick formats can be warmed on the back of the hand and tapped on with a fingertip, while powders usually need a small brush and a light hand. Liquid formulas can be dotted on and blended before they set.

Shade matters as much as texture. Our pieces include pink, white, cream, coffee, gold and rose, and each colour reads differently against the skin. White and cream tend to lift the high points, pink and rose bring a flushed look, gold adds warmth and coffee can create depth. Test a small amount on the cheekbone in daylight and blend the edge fully before deciding. Match the highlighter to the rest of your makeup: a cream highlighter sits well with cream blush, while a powder highlighter can follow a powder bronzer. A palette or double-ended stick can pair light with definition if you want one piece to do more than one job.

Formulas, finishes and shades

Highlighter formulas fall into a few broad families. Liquids and fluids are easy to dot on and blend, and they can be used on the face or body. Creams and sticks melt under the warmth of a fingertip and suit a skin-like finish. Powders need a brush and build in thin layers, while jelly gels have a bouncy texture that can be tapped over the cheekbones for a wet-look gleam. Our range includes these finishes.

The finish is the visual result of the formula. Shimmer catches the light in small particles, glitter is more visible, and a dewy finish looks fresh and slightly wet. A soft sheen is the most discreet, while a high-gloss gleam suits evening or skin that likes a reflective surface. Buildable textures let you keep the first layer sheer and add a second only where you want more light.

Shade choice can follow your undertone or your mood. Pink and rose can look fresh on the cheeks, white and cream can lift the brow bone and the bridge of the nose, and gold and coffee can warm the skin or add depth. Swatch palette shades next to each other and notice how they shift in daylight and indoor light. Glycerin is one of the ingredients listed for our pieces, and the product page is the place to check the full list. Choose the texture you will reach for on the days you actually wear highlighter.

How to apply and wear them

Start with a small amount and build. For a fluid or cream highlighter, warm a little on the back of the hand, then tap it onto the cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of the nose or the shoulders with a fingertip or small brush. Tap rather than sweep so the edges melt into the skin. If you are using a wand, twist it open, squeeze the desired amount onto the sponge tip and lock the applicator closed after use.

Sticks are simple to place. Sweep the stick directly onto the apples of the cheeks, or tap a little onto your fingertips first for more control. For contour, use a deeper tone along the cheekbones, jaw and nose, then blend with a fingertip, sponge or brush. A double-ended stick keeps both tones together, which makes it easier to place light and shadow in one go.

Powder highlighters work best with a small, soft brush. Pick up a little powder, tap off the excess and sweep along the high points. Keep the first pass sheer and add a second layer only where you want more shine. In a bronzer and highlighter palette, sweep bronzer along the cheekbones, temples and jawline for warmth, then place highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose. For body highlight, tap a fluid or jelly along collarbones, shoulders and legs, then blend the edges with the palm of your hand. Keep layers thin so the finish stays smooth, and check the result in daylight from a few angles.

Hygiene, storage and shelf life

Clean tools regularly. Brushes that touch powder or cream collect product and skin oils, so wash them with a gentle soap and warm water, rinse well, reshape the bristles and dry them flat. Sponges should be rinsed after use and left to dry fully in an open space. A clean brush makes blending easier and keeps the finish even.

For sticks, wipe the surface with a clean tissue after use and close the cap firmly. For compacts, keep the lid shut and avoid leaving them open on a damp bathroom shelf. Wands and applicators should be locked closed after each use, as the product page notes for our wand-style pieces. Store highlighter away from direct sunlight and direct heat, which can change the texture over time.

Shelf life depends on the formula and how you handle it. Powders generally keep longer than creams, but any product can change if it is stored badly. Check the texture, smell and colour from time to time; if a product looks or smells different from when you first opened it, stop using it. If you have persistent skin irritation or a concern about a product, speak to a qualified professional. Patch test a new product on a small area before using it on the face if you are unsure.

Standout pieces

• Silky Glow Highlighter Wand: This silky liquid highlighter lays a soft, shiny sheen across the cheeks and can be worn alone or pressed with powder blush for dimension.
• Rainbow Highlighter Jelly Gel: The bouncy jelly gel builds from a soft veil to a bold shine and comes in Silver, Gold, Pink, Purple and Rose.
• Liquid Body and Face Highlighter: A fluid highlighter with a light, blendable texture and a soft metallic gleam that moves from rose to gold to bronze.
• Bronzer and Highlighter Palette: One compact pairs a bronzer for cheekbones, temples and jawline with a highlighter for the tops of the cheekbones and bridge of the nose.
• Face Contour Highlighter: This face contour highlighter has a smooth texture that applies evenly and blends into the skin with a gentle massage.