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Today for Makeup Wars we’re sharing our favorite highlighters and illuminators. I have a big collection of these products, and I’ve found great products at all price points!
I love to add just a bit of highlighter at certain places on my face to really highlight those areas. This is called strobing (check out my 5 tips for strobing the right way post), and you can think of it as the more flattering and easier cousin to contouring. While the Kardashians might be out there contouring their faces like crazy to change how they look, it can be hard to pull off in person. Somehow that contour that looks great in a selfie looks like a dirt smudge in real life.
There are a ton of different formulations available. I thought it would be great to share how I use each formulation differently and my favorites at different price points in that formulation.
Powder
Powder is very versatile. I’ve found that I can target certain areas of my face such as my cheek bone with a smaller brush, apply a light dusting over my entire face with a large fluff brush, or even add a pop of shimmer at the corner of my inner eye with an eye shadow brush. With a darker or pinker shimmer, I can even use it as a blush.
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator (at Amazon)
Bobbi Brown Brightening Brick in Pastel Pink (at Bobbi Brown or at Nordstrom):
NARS Highlighting Blush Powder in Albatross (at NARS, Sephora or Nordstrom)
Liquid
I use liquids very much like I do powders. They can be all over my face or just in particular areas. I also like to use the Bobbi Brown CC Cream, which is on the less shimmery end of a highlighter, mixed with my concealer, all over my face. It offers a bit of brightness, and instead of looking shimmery it just makes me look more awake.
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator (at Amazon or ULTA)
Bobbi Brown CC Cream in Blushed Nude (at Bobbi Brown or Nordstrom)
e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip (at ELF)
Cream
Creams are the way to go if you want to highlight a very specific area of your face, and you don’t want it to budge! I recommend using a finger to apply, I just gently tap creams into the exact area that I want them.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer (from BirchBox or Anthropologie)
IT Cosmetics Hello Light Anti-Aging Crème Illuminizer (at IT Cosmetics or ULTA)
e.l.f. All Over Color Stick (at ELF)
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I’m a doctor, a mommy and a bit of a beauty addict. If you let me, I can take 2 hours to get ready in the morning. Really. I'm on a quest for faster beauty that works!