Beauty Basics with Kulsoom – Article 9

What Is Highlighter? How to Get a Beautiful Glow Without Looking Too Shiny

Have you ever watched a makeup tutorial and noticed a beautiful glow on the cheekbones, nose, or inner corners of the eyes?

That glow usually comes from highlighter.

Highlighter can make makeup look fresh, luminous, and polished. But if you've never used it before, you might wonder:

What exactly does highlighter do? Where should I apply it? How much should I use? And why does my face sometimes look shiny instead of glowing?

Don't worry. In today's Beauty Basics with Kulsoom, we're going to make highlighter simple.

What Is Highlighter?

Highlighter is a makeup product designed to reflect light and bring certain areas of the face forward visually.

It can give the skin a luminous, radiant appearance.

Unlike contour, which creates the appearance of shadow, highlighter does the opposite—it draws attention to selected areas by reflecting light.

A simple way to remember it is:

Contour creates shadow.
Highlighter catches light.

Together, they can create beautiful dimension.

Why Do People Use Highlighter?

Highlighter can help your makeup look:

More luminous.
Fresh and radiant.
Polished.
Three-dimensional.
More glamorous for special occasions.

But highlighter isn't necessary for every makeup look.

A natural everyday makeup look can be beautiful without it.

Where Should You Apply Highlighter?

There are several areas where highlighter is commonly applied.

1. Tops of the Cheekbones

This is probably the most popular placement.

Apply a small amount along the highest point of your cheekbones to catch the light beautifully.

Avoid taking it too far toward the centre of the face if you want a subtle look.

2. Bridge of the Nose

A tiny amount down the bridge of the nose can create a luminous appearance.

But remember:

A little goes a long way.

Too much highlighter on the nose can make it look overly shiny.

3. Tip of the Nose

Some makeup styles use a tiny dot of highlighter on the tip of the nose.

This creates a more noticeable glow and is especially popular in glam makeup.

For everyday makeup, you can easily skip this step.

4. Cupid's Bow

The Cupid's bow is the little curved area above your upper lip.

A tiny amount of highlighter here can make the lips look more defined.

5. Inner Corners of the Eyes

A little brightening product in the inner corners can make the eyes appear more awake and luminous.

This is one of my favourite placements for a fresh makeup look.

6. Brow Bone

A subtle amount underneath the eyebrow can help define the eye area.

Be careful not to apply too much, especially if you're going for natural makeup.

Different Types of Highlighter

Highlighters come in several formulas.

Powder Highlighter

Powder highlighter is one of the easiest types for beginners to understand.

It is applied with a makeup brush and can be built up gradually.

Best for:

Beginners.
Powder-based makeup.
Soft to dramatic glow.
Easy layering.

Cream Highlighter

Cream highlighter has a creamy texture and can create a more skin-like, fresh appearance.

It can be applied with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush depending on the formula.

Best for:

Natural-looking makeup.
Fresh, dewy looks.
People who enjoy cream products.

Liquid Highlighter

Liquid highlighter is highly versatile.

It can be applied directly to the skin, mixed with foundation, or added to specific areas for extra glow, depending on the formula.

Best for:

Dewy makeup.
Glowing skin.
Creative makeup looks.

Because liquid highlighter can be quite concentrated, beginners should start with a tiny amount.

How to Choose a Highlighter Shade

Highlighter isn't limited to one colour.

You can find shades such as:

Champagne
Gold
Rose gold
Pearl
Pink
Bronze

A good highlighter should complement your complexion and the overall makeup look.

Fair to Light Skin

Soft pearl, champagne, or pale pink shades can look beautiful.

Medium to Tan Skin

Champagne, warm gold, and rose-gold tones can complement the complexion beautifully.

Deep Skin

Rich gold, bronze, and warm copper shades can create a gorgeous glow.

These are general suggestions—not strict rules.

The most important thing is choosing a shade that looks harmonious with your skin and makeup.

How Much Highlighter Should You Use?

This is where beginners often make a mistake.

You don't need a thick stripe of highlighter to create a glow.

Start with a small amount.

Apply it to the desired area and look at your makeup in natural light.

If you want more intensity, build it gradually.

This technique is especially useful when you're using a very reflective highlighter.

Natural Glow vs. Full-Glam Glow

Highlighter can create completely different effects depending on how you apply it.

For a Natural Glow

Use:

A small amount.
A subtle shade.
Soft blending.
Highlighter only on selected areas.

The result should look like light naturally catching your skin.

For a Glamorous Glow

You can:

Build the intensity.
Layer cream and powder products.
Use a more reflective shade.
Highlight several areas.

This can be beautiful for weddings, parties, photography, and evening makeup.

Highlighter vs. Illuminating Primer

These two products can also be confusing.

Illuminating Primer

Usually creates a softer glow over a larger area of the skin.

Highlighter

Usually creates a more concentrated glow on selected areas.

You can use one, the other, or both depending on the look you want.

Can You Use Highlighter Without Foundation?

Absolutely.

Highlighter can be applied directly to well-prepared skin.

For a very simple makeup look, you might use:

Moisturiser + sunscreen + a little highlighter + lip colour

You can also use a subtle illuminating product without wearing foundation.

Common Highlighter Mistakes

Applying Too Much

This is probably the biggest beginner mistake.

If you can see a strong stripe of highlighter from across the room, you may have applied more than you need!

Applying It Everywhere

Highlighter is designed to catch attention on selected areas.

Covering the entire face can make the skin look excessively shiny.

Using the Wrong Shade

A highlighter that clashes with your complexion can look obvious rather than luminous.

Not Blending

The highlighter should transition smoothly into the surrounding makeup.

Highlighting Textured Areas

Highly reflective products can draw attention to texture.

If there's an area of your skin that you don't want to emphasise, you may prefer not to highlight it.

Highlighter and Face Shape

Highlighter placement can also be adjusted according to the look you're trying to create.

For example:

Highlighting the tops of the cheekbones can emphasise their structure.
A small amount on the centre of the face can create brightness.
Inner-corner highlight can make the eyes look more awake.
Cupid's-bow highlight can draw attention to the lips.

But don't feel pressured to follow a specific face-shape rule.

Makeup is flexible.

Try different placements and see what looks beautiful on you.

Can You Mix Highlighter With Foundation?

Some liquid or cream highlighters can be mixed with foundation to create a more luminous finish.

However, not every formula mixes well.

If you want to try this technique, start with a very small amount of highlighter.

You can also place a little highlighter on the high points of the face after foundation instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is highlighter necessary?

No. Highlighter is completely optional.

Can I use highlighter every day?

Yes. A subtle highlighter can work beautifully for everyday makeup.

Should highlighter be lighter than my skin?

Usually it is lighter or more reflective than the surrounding skin, but the shade should still complement your complexion.

Can I use eyeshadow as highlighter?

Yes, provided the eyeshadow is suitable for use on the face and you like the colour and finish.

Should I apply highlighter before or after blush?

For many makeup routines, highlighter is applied after blush. However, the exact order can vary depending on whether you're using powder, cream, or liquid products.

Can I use cream and powder highlighter together?

Yes. Layering can create a stronger glow, but start with small amounts to avoid an overly heavy finish.

A Simple Beginner Highlighter Routine

If you're completely new to highlighter, try this:

Step 1

Finish your foundation, concealer, powder, blush, and other base makeup.

Step 2

Choose a subtle highlighter.

Step 3

Apply a small amount to the tops of your cheekbones.

Step 4

Blend the edges.

Step 5

Look at your makeup in natural light.

Step 6

Add a tiny amount to another area, such as the inner corners of the eyes, if you want more glow.

That's it!

You don't need to highlight every part of your face.

Beauty Basics Tip 🌸

The goal of highlighter is to create glow—not grease.

Start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but removing an excessive amount of highlighter without disturbing the rest of your makeup can be much harder.

And remember: sometimes the most beautiful glow is the one that looks like it's naturally coming from your skin. ✨

Coming Up Next

We've now covered the major complexion products and face-enhancing products.

But there's another part of makeup that can completely transform your look:

Article 10: Eyeshadow Basics for Beginners — How to Start Creating Beautiful Eye Looks

We'll learn:

What eyeshadow is.
Different eyeshadow finishes.
Matte vs. shimmer.
Basic eyeshadow placement.
How to choose beginner-friendly colours.
What blending actually means.
Common eyeshadow mistakes.
A simple everyday eyeshadow look.

Until then, remember:

Bronzer warms. Contour defines. Blush adds colour. Highlighter catches the light.

And just like everything else in makeup, you don't need to use every product. Learn what each one does, practise at your own pace, and create the looks that make you feel beautiful. 🌷