A great highlighter can transform your entire makeup look, adding dimension, glow, and a touch of radiance. But achieving that flawless highlighted look requires more than just sweeping a shimmery product on the high points of your face. From selecting the perfect shade to mastering application techniques tailored to your features, there’s an art to getting it just right.

This guide will walk you through every step of the highlighting process, sharing expert application tips, product recommendations, and strategies for enhancing your natural beauty using highlighter. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle glow or red-carpet-worthy radiance, here’s how to create your perfect highlighted look.

Step 1: Choose the Right Highlighter Shade

The secret to a beautifully highlighted look starts with selecting the right shade. Your highlighter should enhance your complexion, seamlessly mimicking the way natural light hits your skin.

For Fair Skin

  • Opt for shades like pearlescent white, champagne, or light pink.
  • Avoid anything too gold or dark, as it may look harsh on lighter skin tones.

Recommended Products:

  • Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight
  • Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick in Champagne Flash

For Medium Skin

  • Look for soft golds, peachy tones, or rosy highlights that complement the natural warmth of your skin.

Recommended Products:

  • Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer in Mesmerize
  • Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Opal

For Dark Skin

  • Metallic golds, bronze, and copper shades create a striking effect without appearing ashy.

Recommended Products:

  • Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in Trophy Wife
  • Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo in Bronze

Pro Tip: If you prefer an ultra-natural finish, choose a cream-based highlighter close to your skin tone. For a bold, dramatic glow, metallic and powder formulas are perfect.

Step 2: Prep Your Skin

Like any makeup product, a highlighter performs best when applied to a well-prepped canvas.

Hydrate and Prime

  • Start with a hydrating moisturizer to ensure your skin looks smooth and plump.
  • Apply a primer suited to your skin type. Mattifying primers help control shine, while glow-boosting primers enhance radiance.

Recommended Products:

  • Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
  • Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

Perfect Your Base

  • Apply foundation and concealer as needed to create a flawless base.
  • Avoid overly dewy foundations if using powder highlighter—they may cause your glow to look uneven.

Pro Tip: If you love a dewy finish, try layering liquid highlighter under your foundation for a subtle, lit-from-within glow.

Step 3: Master Highlight Placement for Your Face Shape

Highlighting isn’t one-size-fits-all. Strategic application tailored to your unique face shape enhances your bone structure and creates balance.

For Oval Faces

  • Focus on the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and Cupid’s bow.
  • A soft touch on the brow bone can further lift the face.

For Round Faces

  • Aim to elongate the face by highlighting the cheekbones, center of the forehead, and chin.
  • Avoid over-highlighting the apples of the cheeks, which can make the face appear wider.

For Square Faces

  • Highlight the center of the forehead, bridge of the nose, and the tops of the cheekbones.
  • A touch on the chin creates balance by softening strong jawlines.

For Heart-Shaped Faces

  • Focus on the cheekbones and the center of your forehead.
  • Skip highlighting the chin to avoid elongating the lower portion of the face.

For Long Faces

  • Highlight the tops of the cheekbones, just above the brows, and across the Cupid’s bow.
  • Keep the chin highlight subtle to maintain balance.

Step 4: Application Techniques for a Seamless Glow

Getting that natural, radiant finish comes down to how you apply your highlighter. Here’s how to achieve professional-level results for every formula type.

For Powder Highlighters

  • Use a fluffy fan or tapered brush (e.g., Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush) for precise application.
  • Tap off excess product before applying.
  • Sweep or dab the highlighter onto desired areas in light layers to avoid looking cakey.

For Cream Highlighters

  • Use your fingertips or a damp beauty sponge for application.
  • Warm the product between your fingers for a seamless blend that melts into the skin.

For Liquid Highlighters

  • Apply liquid directly to your skin in small dots, then blend with your fingers, a sponge, or a stippling brush.
  • If you’re using liquid highlighter on top of foundation, apply it before setting with powder to avoid streaking.

Layering for Intensity

  • For a bold glow, layer a powder highlighter over a cream or liquid base. This technique amps up the shine while increasing longevity.

Pro Tip: Before applying highlighter, lightly mist your brush or sponge with setting spray for an even more radiant finish.

Step 5: Enhance Your Highlight

Highlighting doesn’t stop at the cheekbones. These extra touches will take your look to the next level.

Glow All Over

  • Add some highlighter to the collarbones and tops of your shoulders for a radiant, cohesive look—especially if you’re wearing a sleeveless outfit.

Inner Corner Pop

  • Use a small brush to dab highlighter onto the inner corners of your eyes. It instantly brightens and makes your eyes appear more awake.

Brow Bone Lift

  • Apply a touch of highlighter directly beneath the highest point of your brows for an instant lift.

Lip Illumination

  • Lightly tap highlighter onto the Cupid’s bow to make your lips look fuller and more defined.

Step 6: Lock It in Place

To ensure your perfect highlight stays glowing all day, finish with a setting product that enhances longevity and radiance.

Recommended Setting Sprays:

  • Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow Setting Spray
  • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Pro Tip: Avoid over-applying powder on top of your highlighter, as this can dull its effect.

Product Picks for Every Glow Lover

To help you achieve your best-highlighted look, here’s a roundup of must-have products that deliver impeccable results.

Iconic London Illuminator (Liquid)

For an intense yet blendable glow that works anywhere on the face or body.

Marc Jacobs Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter (Gel)

Infused with coconut for an ultra-dewy finish.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle (Powder)

A cult favorite for an effortlessly radiant, natural-looking glow.

Kevyn Aucoin The Glass Glow Face (Cream)

Ideal for achieving editorial-level luminosity.

A perfectly highlighted look isn’t just about the products—it’s about understanding placement, techniques, and using high-quality formulas that complement your bone structure and skin type. By following these steps and recommendations, you can create a glow that’s tailored, polished, and undeniably luxe.