How to Apply Highlighter for the Holidays

Just like picking out an outfit, before you start your makeup you have to ask yourself, “What kind of look am I in the mood for today?” Some days you might be after more of a my-skin-but-better kind of glow, and other days you might be thinking Roll me around on a plate of glitter, please. Raegan seems to like this look when she’s “going out on the town”. Honestly, I only apply highlighter when I have a party, big get together or a hot date with the hubby lol!! Regardless of the glow you want, know there’s a way to achieve it. Read on to learn how to highlight based on your personal preference

A Dewy Finish

For a fresh, healthy-looking complexion, as a makeup artist, I recommend to properly hydrate and have moisturized skin, that is the key to a glowy finish. So, don’t forget your Skincare routine! To keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated, I do recommend Rodan + Fields skincare regimens. I am sharing what I love and what I KNOW works! More about this later… To achieve the look quickly, mix a drop of liquid illuminator , my favorite is NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator,  with your moisturizer before applying it. Or, if you prefer only specific areas to be dewy, use your fingers to tap a shimmer-free highlighting product (like a balm or stick) onto areas you want to pop, such as your cheekbones and brow bones.

Glossier Haloscope is One of the Best You can Get!

A Matte Highlight

For those of you who hate shimmer and shine, but still want your features to stand out, try highlighting with concealer instead. Either use a contour palette or a matte concealer two shades lighter than your skin tone and then begin applying it with a sponge or stippling brush to the high points of your face. I suggest placing the concealer right where the light would hit (in the center of the forehead, highpoint of the cheeks, and under the eyes). See image below.

This kind of highlighting pairs nicely with contouring to further bring the light toward the center of your face. If you use the highlighting technique with concealer especially under your eyes, it will take at least 10 years off you. It brightens and conceals puffiness and dark circles from us busy moms. Once you start playing around with this, it becomes simple and easy in only a few tries!! I use Limelife Concealer #0, this is easy to blend and it’s waterproof. It also makes a great eyeshadow primer! Win/Win!!

A Shimmery Glow

If you’ve completed your makeup look and want to add a little something extra, lightly dust your face with a powder or cream-to-powder shimmery product on your cheekbones and under your brow bones. Using a fan brush to do so will diffuse the powder for a more subtle effect. I would suggest dusting a matte powder over the center of your face (middle of your forehead, around your nose, under your eyes) while letting the rest of your skin shine where it should.

The shimmery glow is a trend with younger teens and young adults, I never use the shimmery cream or powder, but it’s not on the No list either! I’m up to try anything, it would look very pretty for a fancy Christmas party when you want to go a step more to have that WOW look!

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed

This product came in my VOXBOX and Raegan snatched that right up, it’s one of the best selling shimmering highlighters, so don’t count it out. This could be a product that you LOVE…better to try and not like than to wonder if it would have made you POP!

Skincare and Getting That Dewey Glow Naturally!

I’ve tried many products over the years as a consumer and a cosmetologist, the one product that I stand by is Active Hydration Serum. Not only is this going to help hydrate your face and neck, but girls…it also BOOSTS the products you use under it, hence – great SKINCARE! Great SKIN!!

Results:

R+F Active Hydration Serum increases your skin’s moisture level by 200% after just one use and keeps it there for 8 hours.*

100% of participants had an increase in skin’s moisture retention after 1 week*
94% of participants saw an improvement in moisture after 2 weeks**

Sidenote:

I will never share something with you girls that, well…SUCKS! If it’s not good or didn’t work for me–you will hear those results! I’m, not here to make money or push products. I’m here because I have looked for Beauty, Hair and Fashion bloggers that were truthful and trust me, there are only a few! 

Go Get Your Glow On Ladies for Your Holiday Parties!!! 

Tomorrow I will be filling you in on my first day back at the gym…my arms and legs felt like wet noodles! But, I’m on my way to a healthier lifestyle!!

Shop My Looks From Instagram and Pinterest Here

Shop My Looks From Instagram and Pinterest Here

DON’T MISS A POST!

Subscribe to get email updates! In addition to my most recent blog posts, you’ll receive exclusive newsletter content like special sales, my newest favorite finds, and an occasional peek behind the scenes — all delivered right to your inbox.

This post contains affiliate links. When you shop through my links, it helps support my business (at no additional cost to you) so thank you!