Do You Put Highlighters on Before or After Foundation?

Sweety G December 9, 2024 Fashion, Lifestyle Leave a comment 70 Views

A must-have piece of makeup, highlighter gives your face a bright shine that gives it vitality and dimension. Highlighter makeup enhances your natural features and creates a radiant glow.

However, whether highlighter should be placed before or after foundation is a subject that many beauty lovers ask.

The sort of highlighter you’re using, the appearance you want to achieve, and the particular requirements of your complexion all influence the answer to this question. Let’s examine both choices, their advantages, and the best ways to apply highlighter for different makeup styles.

Understanding Highlighter Types

Knowing the many kinds of highlighters and how they work with other items is crucial before choosing when to use them. There are three primary types of highlighters in general:

Liquid Highlighters: These are very adaptable and give a dewy, radiant look.
Cream highlighters are perfect for a natural look and are simple to combine.
Powder Highlighters are excellent for creating a dramatic impact and providing a more vivid shine.

Every variety has distinct qualities and behaves differently with foundation, which affects when and how to apply it.

Applying Highlighter Before Foundation

Why Apply Highlighter First?

Applying highlighter makeup before foundation has become increasingly popular, particularly for creating a glow that appears natural and illuminated from within. These are the main advantages:

Subtle Glow: A diffused glow that seems seamless and natural is produced by applying a highlighter underneath the foundation.
Improved Blending: By blending the highlighter into the face, the foundation lessens the appearance of sharp lines.
Enhanced Radiance: This method is effective for people who wish to increase the brightness of their skin without having too much highlighter visible.

Best Practices for Pre-Foundation Highlighter

Please select the Appropriate Formula: Because they blend smoothly with foundation, liquid or cream highlighters are ideal for this technique.

Focus on Particular Areas: Put the highlighter on your face’s high points, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, nose bridge, and cupid’s bow.
Mix Well: To guarantee a flawless application, mix the highlighter into your skin with your fingers or a cosmetic sponge.
Put on a Light Foundation Layer: Steer clear of full-coverage foundation since it may obfuscate the effect of the highlighter. Choose a product with light to medium coverage.

Because it offers hydration and radiance, this technique is perfect for people with dry skin or for producing a natural, everyday makeup appearance.

Applying Highlighter After Foundation

Why Apply Highlighter Last?

The most conventional method, preferred for producing a more defined and dramatic look, is to apply highlighter makeup after foundation. This is the reason:

Intense Glow: For optimal effect and sheen, apply highlighter over foundation.
Precision: For a more defined and sculpted look, you can position the highlighter deliberately.
Longer Lasting: Highlighters, especially powder ones, stick to set foundation effectively, extending their wear time.

Post-Foundation Highlighter Best Practices

First, lay your foundation: Use a highlighter and a translucent setting powder to prevent patchiness.

Apply a Brush for Highlighting: A fan or tapered brush is best for accurate application, mainly when powder highlighters are used.
Layer for Intensity: To achieve the desired look, apply a thin layer of highlighter first, then increase it as necessary.
Carefully Blend: Make sure the highlighter blends in with the surroundings for a finished appearance.

This technique is ideal when an intense, glitzy glow is sought for nighttime or unique event makeup.

Factors to Consider

Choosing when to use highlighter makeup is more than a matter of taste. Your skin type, the makeup style you want to achieve, and the other items in your routine may affect your decision. Let’s examine these factors in more detail:

Type of Skin

Dry Skin: By applying highlighter before foundation, you may hydrate your skin and keep the product from sticking to dry areas.
Oily face: Because powder highlighters help control shine and stay in place, they are frequently better for oily face when applied after foundation.
Combination Skin: Try both approaches to see which suits your needs the best.

Desired Makeup Look

Natural Look: Use a highlighter before foundation for a subtle, glowing finish.
Dramatic Look: Apply highlighter after foundation for a striking, eye-catching glow.

Makeup Routine

Coverage Foundation: Pre-foundation highlighters complement light or medium coverage foundations, while post-foundation highlighters complement full coverage foundations.
Product Setting: Make sure the setting sprays or powders you use work well with the highlighter application technique.

Combining Both Techniques

By applying highlighter before and after foundation, you may combine the techniques for the ultimate shine. Here’s how to accomplish it:

Start by applying a liquid highlighter to your face’s high points and blending it in thoroughly.
Put Foundation to Use: To prevent hiding the natural glow, use a light to medium coverage foundation.
Last Touch: To enhance the shine, apply a last coat of powder highlighter.

This method gives your hair a multifaceted appearance that lasts all day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

It’s simple to make blunders with highlighter makeup that might ruin your entire makeup look. Here are a few typical dangers and how to stay clear of them:

Overuse: When it comes to highlighters, less is better. Build increases progressively from a small starting point.
Using the Wrong Shade: Choose a highlighter that matches your skin tone for a natural look.
Applying to the Wrong Places: To prevent an excessively glossy look, limit your application to the high parts of your face.
Ignoring Blending: To guarantee that highlighter blends in well with your makeup, always mix it.

Tips for Flawless Highlighter Application

Use these professional pointers to get the most out of your highlighter:

Get Your Skin Ready: Before putting on any makeup, ensure your skin is prepped and moisturized.
Select the Appropriate Tools: Depending on the type of highlighter and the style you want, you can use brushes, sponges, or your fingers.
Combine with Additional Products: For a unified, defined appearance, mix bronzer, blush, and highlighter.
Apply a Setting Spray: To extend the life of the highlighter, use a setting spray to seal in your makeup.

To read more blog: Mastering Makeup Artistry: Essential Techniques for Flawless Beauty

Final Thoughts

You can apply highlighter makeup before or after foundation, depending on your skin type, personal preferences, and desired makeup look. Both methods offer benefits, and you can choose the one that suits you best by trying them out.

Learning to apply highlighters correctly may improve your beauty game and leave you looking confident and beautiful, regardless of your preference for a subtle glow or an intense shine.