STYLE

Beauty

The newbie's guide to...highlighter


image: @emiliamup

Shine, baby, shine! Here's how to (strategically) strobe to make your face glow.

Find your formula


image: @wanie_dewanie

Skin tends to be dry? Go for a creamy highlighter that won't cake. Oily? Set your look with a powder highlighter to keep your makeup in place.

Meet your match


image: @mandyy_makeup

Your highlighter should have the same undertone as your skin and be at least a few shades lighter than your natural color. If you have a warm undertone, go for peachy and golden shades. And if you have a cool undertone, opt for silvers and purples.

Location is key


image: @carolcamelomua

Focus on the high points of your face. "I lightly coat my pointer, middle and ring fingers with highlighter and then rub them against the same fingers on the other hand," says makeup artist Mally Roncal, founder of Mally Beauty. She says to tap your fingers along your cheekbones, brow bones, the center of your chin and a single top on the tip of your nose. Then blend!

FIND THE SHADE for your skin tone


image: @goldielocksx_

Don't know your skin's undertone? Think about which jewelry looks best on you: gold means warm and silver means cool. When in doubt, pick whatever shade speaks to you.

FAIR

Cool undertone: Select silvery shades with blue-based iridescent shimmer. 


Ofra x NikkieTutorials Space Baby Highlighter, $35, ofracosmetics.com

Warm undertone: Look for light golden tones or peachy hues. 


Wet N Wild Hello Halo MegaGlo Blushlighter in Highlight Bling, $7, wetnwildbeauty.com

MEDIUM

Cool undertone: We love blue-based pinks. 


Florence by Mills Bouncy Cloud Highlighter in Rose Glow, $16, ulta.com

Warm undertone: Go for true golden and champagne colors. 


NYX Professional Makeup High Glass Illuminating Powder in Moon Glow, $12, nyxcosmetics.com

DARK

Cool undertone: Pick purpley, silvery hues. 


Fenty Beauty Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter in 7 Day Wknd/Poolside, $18, fentybeauty.com

Warm undertone: Try deep golden and bronze metallics. 


Uoma Beauty Black Magic Carnival Bronzing Highlighter in Notting Hill, $35, uomabeauty,com

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that a version of this story originally ran in our December/January 2021 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Edited for digital by Erin Sargent.

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by Erin Reimel | 12/8/2020
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