Where To Put Highlighter On The Face
Ah, highlighter. That magical little dust that promises to make us look like we just stepped out of a sun-kissed dream. But where, oh where, does this shimmering sorcery actually go? For years, I’ve watched YouTube tutorials. I’ve scrolled through Instagram. And I’ve come to a conclusion.
My conclusion is that we’ve all been a little… too intense. We’re painting on our faces like tiny, glitter-dusted da Vinci’s. There’s a time and place for a full-on beam of light, I suppose. Maybe if you’re auditioning for a role as a celestial being. Or a disco ball.
But for everyday fabulousness? We need to dial it back. Let’s be honest, sometimes we apply highlighter and suddenly we look like we’ve been slimed by a friendly ghost. Or we’ve rubbed up against a particularly sparkly unicorn. And while I love unicorns, I’m not trying to be one on a Tuesday.
So, let’s talk about the “official” spots. You know the ones. The tops of your cheekbones. The brow bone. The inner corner of your eye. The Cupid’s bow. These are the classic commandments of highlighter placement. And they are, dare I say, a bit… boring?
Don’t get me wrong, these spots work. They create a subtle lift. They catch the light. They make you look… awake. Which is, let’s face it, a major win for most of us before 10 AM. But is that all highlighter is good for?
I think not. I think highlighter is meant for joy. For surprise. For a little wink of magic where no one expects it. It’s like a secret message to the world, saying, “Hey, I’m sparkly, and I know it.”
Let’s start with the cheekbones. Yes, the tops. But what if we went a little lower? Not down to your jawline, that’s a different conversation for another day. But just a whisper below the highest point? Imagine a delicate shimmer that hints at the bone structure beneath, rather than shouting about it.
Think of it as a gentle suggestion of glow. Like the sun has just brushed your face in passing. Not a spotlight. More like a soft halo. This also helps to blend your blush and highlighter together seamlessly. It's the ultimate cheat for a natural flush.
Now, the brow bone. This one is good. It opens up the eye. It makes your eyebrows look like they’ve been professionally sculpted. But what if we brought it just a touch closer to the arch? A tiny sparkle right where your brow has its highest point. It’s like a tiny star is born above your eye. A personal constellation.
The inner corner of the eye is another classic. And it’s great! It makes you look instantly brighter, like you’ve had eight hours of sleep and a kale smoothie. But have you ever tried a tiny dot just below the inner corner? Almost like a subtle highlight to the tear duct area? It’s a little unexpected. And it works wonders to make your eyes look wider and more awake.
And the Cupid’s bow! Oh, the Cupid’s bow. This is where the magic truly happens. A little dab of shimmer here can make your lips look fuller. More pouty. More kissable. But what if we extended that shimmer just a millimeter out, towards the edges of your lip line? It’s like the sun is kissing your lips. A warm invitation.
Now, for my truly unpopular opinion. The parts of your face that maybe, just maybe, need a little sparkle that aren't in the official handbook. Think of it as adding personality. As adding a little je ne sais quoi.
What about the bridge of your nose? Not the whole thing, mind you. That can look a bit… reflective. I’m talking about a tiny, delicate line right down the very top of the bridge. Like a subtle gleam that follows your nose’s natural curve. It’s elegant. It’s chic. It says, “Yes, my nose is fabulous too.”
This is especially good if you’ve powdered your nose to oblivion. A little touch of highlighter brings it back to life. It’s like giving your nose a tiny, shimmery pat on the back. A silent congratulation for being so perfectly… nose-shaped.
And another one. The tip of your chin. Just the very tip. Not the whole underside. A small, strategic dab. It adds a subtle dimension. It can make your chin look a little more defined. It’s like a tiny, confident nod from your face.
This is particularly great if you’ve just applied a bold lipstick. A little shine on the chin balances the look. It creates a harmonious glow. It’s like your face is saying, “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.”
Let’s not forget the collarbones. If you’re wearing a V-neck or an off-the-shoulder top, a swipe of highlighter down your collarbones can be absolutely stunning. It catches the light beautifully. It makes your décolletage look sculpted and radiant. It’s like you’re wearing a delicate necklace of starlight.
And the shoulders! Just a touch on the tops of your shoulders, where the light naturally hits. It’s pure elegance. It’s a subtle invitation for a caress. It’s the kind of detail that makes people lean in. They won’t know why you’re glowing, but they’ll know you are.
What about your temples? A soft sweep of highlighter on your temples, just where your hairline begins, can add a lovely, ethereal glow. It blends seamlessly with your hair. It makes your face appear more lifted. It’s like a secret wink from the universe.
Think of it as an extension of the cheekbone highlight. If you’re going slightly higher on your cheekbone, bring that shimmer up and outwards. It connects the dots. It creates a unified glow.
And for the truly daring, the very top of your forehead. Not the middle, that’s for the astronauts. But just a tiny dab right in the center of your forehead. It’s a bold move. It’s a statement. It says, “I am a beacon of light.” It’s like a tiny, personal sunbeam. Wear it with confidence!
My core philosophy, though? Highlighter is about finding the high points. The places where light would naturally hit. And then, giving them a gentle nudge. A little encouraging shimmer. It’s not about creating new light sources. It’s about enhancing the ones you already have.
It’s also about having fun. Makeup should be fun! It should be a playground. So, experiment! Don’t be afraid to put a little shimmer on your knee caps if you’re wearing a mini-skirt. Or on your elbows if you’re feeling particularly bold. The world is your oyster, and your oyster is full of glitter.
The key is subtlety. A whisper. Not a shout. You want people to notice that you look good, but they shouldn’t be able to pinpoint exactly why. It should feel natural. Effortless.
So, next time you reach for that beloved highlighter, take a moment. Consider where you’re placing it. Are you aiming for celestial? Or are you aiming for that perfect, everyday radiance? The choice, my friends, is yours. And I, for one, am going to keep exploring those unexpected spots. Because who doesn’t love a little surprise sparkle?
Ultimately, the best place to put highlighter is wherever it makes you feel amazing. Wherever it makes you smile. Wherever it makes you feel like the most dazzling version of yourself. So go forth and glow! Just try not to blind anyone. Unless they’re looking particularly glum, then a little sparkle might be just what they need. Wink wink.