If you're mystified by highlighting, fear not—we're right there with you, which is why we're decoding the contouring technique, once and for all.
Here, celebrity makeup artist Kira Nasrat helps us map out exactly where on the face you should be strobing for a sculpted, lit-from-within glow this summer.
1. Keep your skin fresh and hydrated. "Highlight looks best when your skin looks fresh and hydrated," she explains. "The last thing you want to do is highlight dry, flaky dull skin." To prep the skin, exfoliate then hydrate your skin with a moisturizer. Once it's moisturized, you can even out your skin tone with a lightweight foundation or concealer if needed.
2. Choose the right formula. Powder is best for oily skin while cream-based formulas are best for dry skin, she says."Try to stay away from products that look glittery," advises Nasrat. "It's supposed to look like a pretty sheen, not a disco ball on the cheekbones!"
1. Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate Highlighter & Shader Duet, $80; shop.nordstrom.com.
2. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow Face Sculpt & Highlight, $68; shop.nordstrom.com.
3. Don't overdo it. "Highlighting should be subtle and should give the effect that your skin is glowing and dewy," says Nasrat. The trick is start with a small amount and remember you can alway layer more if need be.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
4. Apply the highlighter with your ring finger or a flat synthetic concealer brush. "I apply highlighters by first warming the cream between my fingers then pressing onto the skin," she says. "This helps the product melt right in to the skin."
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.
-
Olivia Rodrigo Is Bringing Visible Bra Straps Back
The pop-punk princess wore custom Victoria's Secret at Coachella.
By Julia Gray Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cookery Show Begins Filming Today—But Not Where You’d Expect It to Be Shot
The Sussexes are having a busy week this week, shooting both of their his-and-her Netflix shows and rolling out the first product offering for Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
How I'm Redefining My Wellness Journey in 2024
Sponsor Content Created With The Honey Pot
By Aniyah Morinia Published
-
The 32 Best Hair Growth Shampoos of 2024, According to Experts
Rapunzel hair, coming right up.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
The 20 Best Hair Masks for Damaged Hair, According to Experts and Editors
Healthy strands, here we come!
By Gabrielle Ulubay Last updated
-
How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, According To Experts
Keep it fresh, my friends.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
The 11 Best Magnetic Lashes of 2023
Go ahead and kiss your messy lash glue goodbye.
By Hana Hong Published
-
Beauty Advent Calendars Make the Perfect Holiday Gift
The gift that keeps on giving.
By Julia Marzovilla Last updated
-
The 18 Best Natural Hair Products in 2023
Remember: Your curls are your crown.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
The 9 Best Hot Rollers for the Curls of Your Dreams
This is how we roll.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
The 12 Best Cream Eyeshadows, According to Makeup Artists
The best part? They’re so easy to apply.
By Samantha Holender Published