Highlighter is such a fun product to use: sometimes, you want your skin to have an ethereal glow. Other times, you want to be a bronzed goddess and SHINE. The easiest ways to do it is to mix a drop of illuminating cream into your foundation, or add a highlighter to the highest points of your face (bridge of nose, brow bone, right above your cheeks, and your cupid’s bow).
I know that it’s hard finding products that have the ability to do so without it being over the top or having too much shimmer, so here are a few of my (budge-friendly) tried and true products to help get a runway glow:
Benefit’s High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer ($26)
This is the EASIEST product to use. It has a small brush, so all you have to do is swipe the bridge of your nose and anywhere else you want a subtle glow and blend. If you’ve ever felt like your foundation and bronzer was too flat after application, top skin with this and you’ll be amazed with how pretty your skin looks. This is on the higher end but it lasts so long that you can seriously purchase this and be set for at least a year. It also comes in Sun Beam, which is golden.
Maybelline Mineral Powder Illuminator ($8.99)
I use this powder when I’m going out at night; it has great lasting power and provides a sheer, shimmer glow. It’s talc & oil-free so it won’t irritate your skin. This one has a sift-cap (like most mineral products), so you can measure out how much you need. Swirl a small brush into the cap, tap off excess, and then apply wherever you want highlighted. I chose it in Peach to keep my skin warm.
NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator ($7)
This illuminator can be worn alone (yay for perfect skin!), mixed with liquid foundation to brighten your complexion, or applied with a brush to spot highlight. It’s slightly more subtle than High Beam so use this one if you’re new to illuminators. This comes in 2 colors-one more silver and one more pinky/peach-so choose based on skintone (I have both).
Wet n Wild Fergie Centerstage Collection Shimmer Palette ($5.99)
This comes in 3 different palette (this is Rose Champagne Glow) and is baked, so it’s super soft. Apply it with a small dense brush and slowly build it up. I’ve seen this palette recommended as a dupe for M.A.C.’s Mineralized Skinfinish powders, but I’ve yet to test.
Ruby Kisses All Over Bronzing Powder (Deep Glow) ($5.99)
For those that like a J.Lo glow, this is a fantastic highlighter to use. It’s listed as a bronzer, but the tint is golden, it really warms up skin while still highlighting. The sheen is beautiful on tan and darker skintones; adding this will give even more dimension to your look.
Like all highlighters, apply sparingly unless you’re going for a more editorial look.
What’s your favorite highlighter to use?
Ariane Patrice says
Love this post. I’m all about simple beauty looks. Will be trying out a few of the products
Kim Thomas says
thanks Ari! I love simple tips and tricks to make skin glow.