by BR Kellie
Remember when highlighting was everything? It felt like brands were bringing out highlighter singles and/or palettes every week. YouTube was filled with beauty lovers demonstrating how they applied highlighter to their cheekbones, above their brows, down the nose, on the tip of the nose, not to mention on their cupids bow. If it glimmered, sparkled or shone it was a must. While highlighter is still very much a staple for many, lately it's felt like the shine had faded somewhat... until recently, when two fresh highlight techniques started popping up on the 'gram, TikTok and YouTube. Of course, being a barely reformed highlight-loving hussy, I had to give them a go.
The Eye Highlight
The concept of this highlight is to give the illusion of wide, bright open eyes. Now as a girl with hooded eyes, that aren't particularly large in the first place, this is a technique that caught my attention. The idea behind it is simple, just pop three dots of liquid highlighter around your eye: one on the outer corner, one on the centre of the brow bone and one just below the inner corner, then blend out with a small makeup brush.
The Jaw Highlight
I am no stranger to applying contour along the length of my jaw in order to give the illusion of a firmer jawline, but the idea of putting highlight anywhere near it? Can't say I've ever considered it. However this is apparently becoming a go-to highlighting look, with the trick to it simply being applying highlighter along the length of your jawline then blending it out.
The results?
First of all, I love that these techniques don't require hours spent in front of a mirror or being a makeup artist to make them work. But are they for me?
To be honest, I don't mind the eye highlight. I wouldn't pop a drop of highlighter on my brow again because that area (for me) is bulgy and doesn't need attention drawn to it. But I didn't hate the highlight on the inner and outer corner of my eye. In fact I liked how it lightened the area without drawing attention to the fine lines and texture. It's a winner!
As for the jawline highlight? This, for me, is a pass. It just looked like I'd drawn a white crayon on my face, even after doing some heavy duty blending. Also, logic suggests that if you've not got a naturally strong jawline adding highlighter is just going to bring attention to that, so perhaps only try it if you've already rocking some serious bone structure. Also, on both counts I'd suggest skipping anything glittery. The more natural, subtle the highlight the better.
So, are you still a fan of highlighting or is it something you skip? And if you love getting glowy with it, will you be trying these highlighting techniques? Is there another we need to know about? Chat below!
Hmm it's all worth a try. I've just watched a tutorial on Castithan make up from Defiance. I've bought some white foundation to give it a try. I already have long silver hair and pale skin so I'm half way there.