The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Right Highlighter
Highlighters: Which formula is right for you?
Highlighters are the cornerstone of every sun-kissed, summer makeup look. Highlighters are the perfect pick-me-up when you want to achieve that lit-from-within glow. Whether you’re after a subtle, dewy glow, or an OTT shine, highlighters add that extra touch of radiance.
Now, there's tons of different highlighter formats available today - from creams & palettes to liquids, sticks, or more - the options are endless. To ease out your enlightening (pun intended) journey, here’s an easy breakdown of the different types of highlighter formats so you can choose what's right for you.
1. Cream Highlighters -
Cream highlighters are usually known for their smooth, hydrating texture. With a rich, dewy finish, they’re ideal for achieving a soft, natural glow. Their creamy composition blends seamlessly into the skin, making them perfect for dry and dehydrated skin types. You can apply them directly on bare skin, or on top of a full face of makeup. They're best applied with your fingers or a beauty blender to create a seamless, skin-like finish.
However, one downside is their longevity - cream formulas are typically less long-lasting than powders, especially in humid conditions. To make sure your glow lasts, layering a powder highlighter on top can help lock it in place. Cream highlighters give you a soft, buildable glow. They’re perfect for that everyday, natural look but if you’re looking for something intense, powder highlighters might be your best bet.
FAE Recommends - Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight
The "Glow on the Go" concept perfectly describes stick highlighters. The solid, fuss-free and compact formula makes them super travel-friendly. Stick highlighters are designed for quick and easy application—just swipe them across the high points of your face, like your cheekbones and brow bone, and you're good to go. Because of their solid texture, they often deliver a more concentrated payoff, which can look more intense, but they are easy to build up or play down.
A major advantage of stick highlighters is the convenience; no tools required, and they’re perfect for on-the-go touch-ups.
The format makes them easy to layer on top of make-up, and double up as a wash of shimmer on your eyelids, décolleté or other parts of your body you want to add a little oomph to. Stick highlighters can also be easily used to add some shimmer while prepping your face before applying foundation or concealer, for an all over, sun-kissed, strobe like effect.
FAE Recommends - FAE Beauty Double Dew Illuminator
3. Powder Highlighters -
Powder highlighters - the classic option.. Known for their versatility, they offer a wide range of color payoffs—from a soft, natural sheen to an intense, blinding glow. The powder texture helps absorb excess oil, making it a solid choice for those with oily or combination skin. The format makes the application precise, allowing you to highlight targeted areas like the brow bone, cupid's bow, or cheekbones.
However, powder highlighters can sometimes emphasize skin texture, especially if the skin is dry. The formula tends to have more visible shimmer or glitter particles, giving it a more dramatic finish, so it's often the go-to choice for those seeking an intense, show-stopping highlight. On the other hand, creamy formulas like cream and stick highlighters have finer shimmer, thanks to their emollient base that allows even distribution of the pigment, and seamless blending on the skin.
FAE Recommends - Hourglass Ambient™ Lighting Infinity Powder
At the end of the day, the ‘right’ highlighter for you depends on the impact, or result you're looking for. If a natural glow is your vibe, then cream highlighters are your go-to. For a lit from within, dewy finish that's effortless to achieve - stick highlighters are your go-to. If you want something with a little more drama and intensity, powder highlighters might be your best bet– There's tons of options out there but no matter what formula you choose, remember to have fun with it!
Stay Curious, Stay Freequal