8 Highlighter Hacks to Help Make Your Skin Look Glow-y

Mastering the art of a highlighting is probably on your makeup bucket list, right? After all, who wouldn’t want to look like a dewy goddess? In fact, when used correctly, highlighter can help completely transform your face by lifting and brightening it. But when it comes to highlighting, it’s easy to go overboard—and chances are, you’d probably rather not look like a disco ball after applying your makeup. If you want to add highlighter to your beauty routine without overdoing it on the shimmer, try these eight hacks that will help keep your face beaming in all the right ways.

Highlighter Hack #1: Match It to Your Foundation Formula

The first thing you need to keep in mind when using highlighter? You should match the formula to your foundation’s. That means if you’re using a liquid foundation, you should use a liquid highlighter. Think about it: When you pair a powder foundation with a cream highlighter, you could end up with a patchy finish.

If you’d like to use a liquid highlighter…try the L'Oréal Paris True Match™ Liquid Glow Illuminator, which comes in three shades: golden, ice, and rose.

If you’d like to use a powder highlighter…try the L'Oréal Paris True Match™ Powder Glow Illuminator, which also comes in golden, ice, and rose.

Highlighter Hack #2: Mix Your It into Your Foundation

Want a subtle-looking glow? Simply mix a tiny bit of liquid highlighter in with your liquid foundation. Apply it with a makeup sponge, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, using quick dabbing and rolling motions.

Highlighter Hack #3: Apply It to Strategic Areas

The key to getting that perfect glow is to apply highlighter to the right spots. Generally, you’d want to use it on areas that the sun would naturally hit—think your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheekbones, your cupid’s bow, and your chin. When it comes to highlighter, it’s all about going for a natural look.

Highlighter Hack #4: Improvise with Facial Oil and Concealer

No highlighter on hand? No problem! You can still get a pretty-looking glow. All you need is concealer, facial oil, and a makeup sponge. Start by applying concealer (use the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit) along the areas you would regularly highlight (like your cheekbones, nose, brow bone, and cupid’s bow). Don’t blend it just yet, though! Instead, apply a couple of drops of facial oil, like the L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Glow Renewal Facial Oil for dull, dry skin onto your makeup sponge and then blend it in with your concealer. It’s as simple as that!

Highlighter Hack #5: Layer on a Clear Gloss

If you’re looking for a way to up the ante, then this next hack is for you. You can help take your glow to another level by layering a clear gloss over your highlighter. Blend it ever so slightly for a nice sheen.

Highlighter Hack #6: Use It Sparingly

When it comes to using highlighter, less is definitely more. You really only need to apply a teeny-tiny amount get the look you’re after. So, resist the urge to slather your face in highlighter and instead dab it on in little dots. You can always add on more if you’d like—it’s easier to do that than remove your entire face of makeup and start again.

Highlighter Hack #7: Apply It Over Your Blush

We’re big fans of blush since it can help you fake a youthful-looking rosy flush. And adding a little highlighter to the mix can have a stunning result. Just apply a blush, like the L'Oréal Paris True Match™ Super Blendable Blush, as you normally would to the apples of your cheeks. Then, apply a thin layer of highlighter over your blush.

Highlighter Hack #8: Let the Lighting Be Your Guide

When you plan on including highlighter in your makeup routine, it’s important to take lighting into consideration. If you know that you’re going to be somewhere with soft lighting, then consider choosing a sparkly highlighter, since this can help make your features really pop against the subtle background. Meanwhile, if you’re going to be outdoors all day, a subtler highlighter could be a better option.