The KEY is to the highlight on the PRECISE area that you want to bring forward and not go past that, which is roughly what I have illustrated above.
Once you master highlighting these areas you may get addicted, and feel the need to go even further, and when that feeling strikes you may want to give these spots a whirl…
Using highlighter on your chin, nose and forehead brings the whole center of your face forward, and gives it a more slender appearance overall. But again, don’t go crazy. Less is more.
Too much highlighter can make you look sweaty, or like the tin man, or like some chick . . . who doesn’t know where her highlighter goes.
Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about…
PRODUCTS:
There are a ton of them out there, and things can get confusing.
You have your liquids and your creams, basically they do the same thing but its a matter of applying them differently, and a slight difference in the final finish. I find that creams are easier to build up with more control. If you try to build a powder it’s easy to end up with the tin-man effect. They sit a bit differently on the skin, but thats just a matter of personal preference.
Then there are warm/gold toned highlighters, and cool/pink toned highlighters. Again they do the same thing but it’s a matter of what you like on yourself.
I don’t know if there is some hard and fast rule out there about what color you should wear according to skin tone, but I don’t like those rules anyway. Your best bet is to go to the store and look at them in person, try some on (different formulas and colors etc.) and decide what you like best.
If you are really excited and can’t wait to see some for yourself, I have swatched some from my collection so you can at least get an idea of how they look…
The swatches are all applied very heavily, so that you can see them in the photos. Obviously you want to diffuse them a bit more on your face.
Now that have all this basic knowledge it’s time for some…
TIPS AND TRICKS:
The dewy look- If you are looking for an all over dewy look, instead of applying highlighter all over your face, try mixing a few drops of liquid highlighter into your foundation. That will give you a really nice dewy effect without it being over the top. Nobody will be able to pinpoint it, but you will have a radiant glow.
Making it last- If you’re in a situation where you need to have your makeup last all day, try layering a powder highlighter over a liquid. It’s like setting your foundation with a powder.
Working with what you have- If you want to try highlighting but don’t want to invest, try using a shimmery, pale eyeshadow. You can use it on other parts of your face, and nobody will know the difference.
Bringing your look together- If you want your makeup look to seem more pulled together, thought out and cohesive, try using the same highlighter on your brow bone and inner corner as you do on your cheek bones. It’s simple but it makes it look like you really put time and thought into it.
WHERE TO FIND SOME:
Urban Decay Cream Highlighter- Wicked
NARS Highlighting Blush- Albatross
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish- Soft and Gentle
Illamasqua Illuminator - Halcyon 
(this one is no longer available in most places whomp whomp…if you LOVE it, you can get it on amazon through that link but it’s a bit pricey)
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