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3 alternative ways to use highlighter

Whether powder, cream or liquid highlighter here’s how to get more use out of your fave product.

Whether powder, cream or liquid highlighter here’s how to get more use out of your fave product

Most of us have way too many makeup products, sitting unused, and even when it comes to our favourites, we're not using them to their full potential. Take highlighters for example, they're truly a hero product, once you know the many ways to use this multipurpose gem.

Here are three to get you started.

Glowy foundation

Scrape, dab or drop some highlighter into your liquid/cream foundation for an extra, all over shimmer. 

Shimmery lids

No need to pull out your eye shadow palette this time. Use a brush or your fingertips to swipe some highlighter onto your lids for a dazzley look.

Lip plumper

Place a small dab of highlighter on the centre of your lips — particularly your bottom lip. Tap the highlighter with your finger or a small brush to smooth it outward from there. With the highlighter accentuating your lips in the centre, they appear fuller. 

You can also metallicize your regular lipstick by gingerly applying the highlighter all over your pout.

I used a MAC classic for all of these looks but you can use any of these highlighters for a similar effect.

Extra Dimension Skinfinish Highlighter in Oh Darling, $40, MAC 

All of the shades in this ever-popular highlighter will work for all the above purposes. The newest shades are Whattabrat, a baby pink colour, and Chill, more of an iridescent baby blue — the blue appears as more of a prismatic silver. This cream-to-powder formula is super smooth and melts in without looking grainy.

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter in Whattabrat and Chillz, $44, Sephora

This is a pure powder highlighter; easy to use and very easy to blend. It's very natural looking — not as pigmented as the Fenty option, but it can still add an all-over radiance. This highlighter also works really well on lids because it stays smooth and doesn't crease.

Bare Minerals Endless Glow Highlighter, $39.32, Ulta.com

A liquid option is the easiest way to get the most purpose out of your highlighter. This shade is flattering for all skin tones, and it's also lightweight so it won't weigh down your foundation if you mix it in. It will really give you that melded pink-gold look.

NARS Orgasam Liquid Highligter, $38, NARS


Nneka Elliott (@nnekaelliott) is a lifestyle blogger, host and actor. She shares her adventures with fashion and beauty in her pursuit of a gutsy life. nnekaelliott.com