Highlighters or illuminators are powder or liquid make-up products that contain light-reflecting particles that can accentuate your best features and perk up your complexion. By applying highlighter and makeup to certain areas, you can really draw attention to them.

A good highlighter can (literally) make you light up.

First things first: what type of highlighter to use. Highlighters come in powder form, in liquid and cream sticks. You will also find illuminating primers and fabulous under eye concealers that deflect light. These really help to hide dark under eye circles. You can decide if you prefer shimmer or glitter. A slight shimmer will be a little more subtle. Tip: some highlighters can be a bit deceiving – always check the effect that your highlighter gives in direct sunlight; you don’t want to end up looking like a glitter ball. Sadly, this has happened to me.

I prefer using powder highlighters that contain different shades on my face. A lovely one is Bobbi Brown’s Brightening Finishing Powder. I use a large powder brush to pick up all the different colours and then sweep it across the areas that I want to highlight.

Now that you’ve got the tools, how do you use them?

The brow – if you add a little bit of highlighter just beneath the brow, it will give your eyebrow an instant lift. Another trick: you can add a little bit above the brow (where the brow curves downward) as well. This will give you even more lift.

Cheekbones – add a bit of highlighter to the top of your cheekbones to enhance them.

Nose – a tiny bit of highlighter straight down the middle of your nose (unless your nose is very wide, in which case you should skip this step)

The Cupid’s bow – This trick will give the illusion of a fuller pout: dab a little bit just above the Cupid’s bow. I love doing this!

Eyes – apply a little bit to the inner corner of the eye. This will ‘open up’ that usually dark area and make you look wide awake.
Forehead – add highlighter to the centre of the forehead

Before you go out to buy a highlighter, have a look through all your eye shadows… chances are you will find perfect shades to accomplish the above.

You don’t have to stop here!

Highlighters can also be applied to the body to create the illusion of longer more slender limbs. Now who wouldn’t want a little bit of help in that department? Apply highlighter down the centre of the shins and arms. I prefer using a liquid highlighter here. Mac Strobe Cream works great.

You can also accentuate your décolletage by adding some shimmer to your collar bones and on top of your shoulders.

Another useful tip: if you want your chest to appear fuller, you can add some shimmer to the rounded top of the breast 😉

Now you are all set to enhance your already beautiful features and emphasize your natural glow with highlighting makeup.

Article by: Charlene http://www.beautybulletin.com/blog-directory/our-bloggers/pretty-please-charlie