History of the highlighter, why it became a staple of every makeup bag, and how to master the application and shine for the gods!
First came the shadows. We were all about hiding that extra face space with contouring and bronzing. Then came the light. We wanted to expose our high points. So we meet the highlighter!
Talking about one product that fakes healthy look the best! If you are into that “right out of workout session” look but not really into a gym – we got you. 😉
A dewy goddess look suits everyone, and a highlighter is a key to achieving it. Brands made sure we have all kinds of options, and they did it fast. 💅
History of the highlighter
Back in the 1500s, only theatre performers used to play “shadow and light” games. Crushing pearls and silver to create a glistening powder sounds romantic, but in reality, it is quite toxic. They also used kohl, vermilion, and ceruse for a while to accentuate facial features. Luckily, soon came natural pigments, powders, and paints that were not poisonous.
Like many other trends, the drag community brought stage appearance to all the people. Drag Queens did not mind the eccentric power of the highlighter; on the contrary. The film industry also contributed, especially the noir genre, with all the mystery, drama, and shadow dance. They used Vaseline mixed with concealer or something else similar to point out cheekbones or shoulders against the dark.
The first step to a highlighter we know and love today was made in 1992 when cult-classic YSL Beauty’s Touché Éclat was presented. It was more of a hybrid of concealer and highlighter but a step in the right direction.
The real deal arrived at the beginning of the new millennium. MAC Cosmetics presented Strobe Cream, an iridescent highlighter made with mineral pigments that first shined on runways and movie sets. It is considered the first mass-market highlighter; although not many people used it daily, it was more for a special occasion touch. With 2015 came strobing technique, and highlighters became essential in any makeup kit. Placing highlighter in larger amounts on the high points of the face toned down a couple of years later when a dewy look became all the rage. Famous makeup artist Nam Vo underlined, “Shimmer has to go where the skin is smoother, but a wet look can go anywhere” with her #dewydumpling Instagram sensation. Glass skin is now the most referred wanted base look that inspires everyone to add on a bit of shine to our looks.
Highlighter and skin tone
It may seem like there is only one highlighter to beam against any skin, but no. There is a wide variety of colors to choose from with a reason. To avoid the artificial mannequin impression and accomplish that glow from within, a highlighter needs to match your skin tone.
If you have pale to fair skin, cut back on those vibrant pigments, like pink or peach, and try Silver or lilac-toned highlighters.
Fair to medium skin people should go for rose gold or peachy tones to get that natural glowing moment going.
Stay away from cool-toned silvery highlighters, which can be ashy and dull on medium or olive skin. Instead, opt-in for pigmented tones like champagne, pink, and peach.
Highlighters with a gold-bronze or copper undertone are the perfect choice for warmer or dark skin tones.
Different options out there
Skin tone is the first thing to care for when selecting a highlighter, but your skin type can also play a role. Some types prefer powder, and others look better with cream formulas, so keep reading to check what’s best for you.
Powder: One of the essential products of many makeup bags is the pressed powdered highlighter that comes in a compact. It can be used with a finger or a preferred makeup brush. Oily skin loves this one.
Stick: This one is the all-purpose hardy. It can take a lot of moving and juggling around in your bag if you travel a lot or just don’t spend that much time at home. It’s applied in a swipe and easily blended with fingers, making it also very beginner-friendly.
Liquid: Dry skin enjoys moisture, which also applies to highlighters. The liquid illuminator comes in a bottle with a dropper. A few drops on the selected section are best blended with a beauty sponge. They are infused with refined oils that quickly sink into your skin.
Cream: A strobing cream is made for you if you want a natural inner glow looks. It is a radiant moisturizer or primer you can use before or after your foundation.
Brick: Day highlighter and night highlighter are not the same highlighter, but brick highlighter offers a solution for any part of the day. It comes in different tones of illuminating shades that can be applied separately or blended together. Don’t miss the opportunity to try them out as eyeshadows; they can work great.
Jelly: The newest member of the highlighter family, a jelly illuminator is a pot-based highlighter with a petroleum jelly texture. With this one, a dewy dreamy look is guaranteed by just blending it with your fingers.
How to use highlighter + new fun places to apply!
Highlighter is such a versatile product and there are many tips on how to use it. It’s like a little personal flashlight you can point wherever you like! Here are some suggestions on how you can play around with it.
#1 Before the foundation
Glow from within is inevitable with this technique. A touch on high points like cheekbones and cupid’s bow or bridge of your nose will make all the difference.
#2 To your body
When you rock a tube top or just an ordinary décolletage, mix liquid or cream-based highlighter with your body moisturizer before applying it to collar bones. An elevated look is a promise. And you’re right; no such thing as an ordinary décolletage. They are all awesome, but why not give them a tad more.
#3 As an eyeshadow
When you have three minutes to walk out the door, of course, mascara is the one product you’ll choose to use. But – suppose you spare a few seconds to apply a little dab of highlighter on your eyelids. In that case, your eyelids will complement the eyelashes perfectly and make you seem more awake. And we're all so awake!
#4 As a blush
A light touch of rose-pink highlighter on the upper half of the cheeks can look fabulous as a winter blush and give dimension to your high points.
#5 To your forehead
If you miss a sun-kissed glow in the middle of winter, apply a highlighter in the center of your forehead and lightly brush outward in the shape of a star to blend.
#6 In the inner eye corners
Remedy your tired eyes by placing highlighter in the inner corners. It will wake up your look better than any espresso.
#7 On your shoulders
Powder highlighter on the tops of shoulders just gives more oomph.
#8 A tap on cuticles
If your hands are getting a closer look or even photographed, and you really want them to look as best as possible. In that case, a little dab of liquid or cream highlighter on (manicured!) cuticles will deliver an editorial appearance.
#9 Your legs
If you are in the mood for something extra, put a line of highlighter on the center of your thighs and shins. It can create the appearance of thinner, longer legs, and who doesn’t want that?
It came big and came back better...
Twitter came and became flooded with opinions. Instagram came and became flooded with beauty. Makeup is a huge part of the beauty concept, and all kinds of makeup artists shared their knowledge and secrets with us. There were also makeup lovers who really took it to the next level. It is so much fun to play with shapes and colors, and somehow highlighter was quickly marked as too much, too obvious, and even too theatrical for most people. It got reserved only for ladies and gentlemen who wanted everybody to see their shine. Nothing wrong with that, just a pity that many folks got themselves denied of highlighter power.
So brands decided to soften up the formula, and it worked. Highlighter is enjoying a new moment in the spotlight. Thanks to better formulations and a lighter application, it’s more flattering than ever!
Dragička's Pro Tip:
To ensure your highlighter looks its best, follow these steps:
1. Prepare your skin
Enemy number one for a beautiful highlighter is dead skin. Gentle exfoliation before makeup application will help with every product, but it will be essential for highlighter. Give it one try, and it will become a loved habit. Properly moisturized skin will provide a perfect canvas for shiny particles.
2. Work with light layers
Whether you need a light touch for a healthy day glow or a disco cheek for a party, be patient and apply little by little until you are satisfied with the amount. It is much easier to add sparkles than to remove some.
3. Follow your natural face shape
Amplification instead of transformation is the approach. This bit of advice is great, but not all have the same face shape. So make sure you know yours, and check where the light naturally looks strongest when you look in the mirror in daylight. It’s usually the tops of your cheekbones, the high point of your brow bone, and perhaps a tiny amount above the arch of your brow. But do not listen to us either, try it out and see it for yourself.
And, keep shining bright!
D.