The magic brush for a youthful glow

What is a highlighter?

It is the little magic tool that instantly gives the face freshness, radiance and an extra touch of glamour. With its fine, light-reflecting pigments it strategically accents the highest points of the face, for example the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose or the cupid's bow. These areas then appear visually more pronounced, look plumper and make the complexion appear lively and healthy.

Whether as a powder, stick or liquid drops, highlighters come in many different textures and shades to suit every skin type and occasion. While contouring uses darker tones to create shadows and define contours, the highlighter brings light into play – for a natural sheen or an exciting, glamorous finish.

What highlighter forms are there?

It’s not just a trend product, but a versatile helper to achieve a fresh, radiant complexion. It is available in several formats so everyone can find the item that suits their skin type and desired result.

Liquid highlighters generally contain particularly many light-reflecting pigments and are therefore ideal for dry skin. Due to their fluid texture, they can even be mixed with foundation or day cream to create a subtle all-over glow. However, because they shimmer intensely, applying them takes a little practice.

Cream highlighters are easy to blend thanks to their smooth consistency and can also be applied spot-wise. They are ideal for beginners and for dry skin, as they provide moisture and deliver a natural result.

The powder highlighter is a classic and perfect for oily or combination skin. Powder highlighters have a mattifying effect and can be applied easily and evenly over larger areas like the cheeks with a brush.

For those who like precision, highlighter sticks are ideal. They are excellent for small accents, for example in the inner corner of the eye, under the brow bone or on the bridge of the nose.

Radiant beauty: how do highlighters work on the face?

Highlighter is a real all-rounder when you want more radiance and expression. It places targeted light accents that highlight certain areas and make them appear fresher. This makes the face look more defined overall. The effect occurs because the shimmering pigments reflect light exactly where it naturally hits the face.

When applied to the cheekbones, it draws the eye toward the centre of the face and makes the cheeks appear fuller. Applied under the brow bone, it opens up the eyes and makes them look larger and more awake. In the inner corner of the eye, it creates a radiant, open expression, which looks especially nice with a natural summer makeup.

The bridge of the nose also benefits from a touch of highlighter. When placed correctly, it makes the nose look finer and straighter. On the cupid's bow it creates the optical illusion of fuller lips and gently emphasises their contours.

Which highlighter colour suits me?

To ensure a natural, radiant complexion, the colour should be chosen to match the skin tone. The shade should be at most one to two shades lighter than the foundationor the natural skin tone.

On very fair skin, cool silver or champagne tones appear particularly harmonious and give an elegant, fresh glow. A pale pink undertone works beautifully with pearlescent reflections.

For an olive complexion, soft peachy nuances add warmth to the face and make the sheen appear more natural. For medium skin tones, white-gold highlights are ideal as they integrate elegantly while still making a statement.

If the skin tone is medium to deep, bolder options are welcome: warm gold or bronze tones flatter the complexion and create a sun-kissed glow.

Can you use a highlighter as eyeshadow?

Yes, absolutely – and the results can be beautiful. Simply dab a little highlighter onto the mobile lid and blend gently. The subtle shimmer instantly makes the eyes look more awake and lively – ideal for a fresh everyday look. If you want something more glamorous, the highlighter can also be placed in the centre of the lid to create a glossy effect that catches the light beautifully.

What is the difference between a highlighter and a concealer?

At first glance they may look similar, but they serve completely different purposes in a beauty routine. Knowing the subtle differences allows both products to be used purposefully to get the best out of the complexion.

The highlighter is the glow product among make-up items. It is used to visually accentuate certain facial areas. With its light-reflecting pigments it creates a fresh glow and gives more dimension to the appearance. Textures range from powder to cream to liquid and the finish can vary from softly shimmering to glamorously sparkly.

The concealer is the little helper for 'problem areas'. It camouflages dark circles, redness, blemishes and pigmentation spots to create an even complexion. Concealers are usually formulated to be firmer and more opaque than highlighters. They are often enriched with caring ingredients and available in matte to satin finishes.

Highlighter DIY: can you make your own highlighter?

If you prefer a creamy highlighter, you can make one yourself in a few steps. These variants work well even without experience and require only a few ingredients.

A creamy highlighter can be mixed in under ten minutes. You need 3.5 g castor oil, 3 g babassu oil or coconut oil, 0.5 g beeswax, 0.5 g sericite mica for the silky sheen and 1 g gold-coloured mica. Additionally you can add 1 g more mica or biodegradable glitter for the desired shade and 0.1 g vitamin E to extend shelf life. The oils, beeswax and shimmer powders are melted in a water bath, stirred well and mixed with the vitamin E. The creamy mass is then poured into small jars, cooled down – and the personal highlighter is ready.

A loose highlighter powder can also be made with few ingredients. This version is light and silky and gives a gentle, natural shimmer. Mix 0.4 g Sericite Silk mica, 0.2 g Satin Silk mica, 0.1 g zinc oxide and a small knife tip of titanium dioxide thoroughly in a mortar. Then add about 1.3 g coloured mica or silk powder. Everything is gently combined to preserve the shimmer. If desired, four to five drops of jojoba oil can be stirred in to make the powder slightly creamier. The finished mixture goes into a small jar with a sieve insert and is ready to use.

Highlighter: how to really make your face glow

• Apply highlighter to the highest points of the face, where light naturally hits. Typical spots are the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, the cupid's bow and the brow bone. This directs attention to those areas and gives your complexion a fresh radiance.
• You don’t have to highlight every area of the face to achieve a beautiful result. Even a single, well-placed accent (for example on the cheekbones) can make you look completely different — more lively and defined. Depending on the occasion, you can play with more or fewer highlights.
• Pay attention to the quality of your highlighter. Products with pure ingredients are not only better tolerated but also support a well-groomed appearance. Particularly in natural cosmetics you can find highlighters that are free from synthetic additives and gentle on the skin.
• If you want to make your eyes appear larger, add a hint of highlighter to the inner corner. The bright shimmer opens the gaze and makes you look more awake and refreshed. This technique works especially well for tired eyes or a subtle daytime makeup.
• Feel free to experiment with different placements to find what suits you best. Every face is different, and a highlighter can emphasise different zones — for example the centre of the forehead, the temples or even the middle of the chin. Trust your instincts and your reflection.
• Choose the right tools for your highlighter texture to ensure a successful application. For powder, a fan brush is suitable; for liquid textures, a sponge or your fingers; a stick is ideal for on-the-go touch-ups since you can apply it directly and blend with your fingers.
• On the cheeks the highlighter achieves a particularly beautiful effect. Apply it in a gentle C-shape — from the end of the brow, across the cheekbone to the middle of the cheek. This emphasises your bone structure and makes facial features appear slimmer.
• The bridge of the nose also benefits from a little highlighter if you want your nose to look narrower and more defined. It is important to place the highlighter only on the bridge and not on the tip of the nose. This keeps the result elegant and subtle.
• If you want fuller-looking lips, apply a little highlighter to the cupid's bow, i.e. the upper edge of the top lip. A touch in the middle of the lower lip also creates an optical increase in volume. These small tricks make the mouth look fresher and more sensual.
• You can refresh your whole complexion with a subtle glow by mixing a drop of liquid highlighter into your foundation. The result is subtle and makes the skin look healthy and lively all day. This technique is particularly suitable for dry skin.
• To keep the result natural, always blend the highlighter well. This removes harsh lines between foundation, highlighter and the rest of your makeup. Gentle tapping motions or a soft brush work best.
• Apply highlighter on well-prepared skin so it sits evenly. Start with a thorough cleanse and appropriate care before applying foundation or BB cream. This base allows the highlighter to shine best.
• The face shape also plays a role in highlighter placement. For a round face, emphasise the forehead and chin; for a square face, focus on the centre of the forehead and the chin to soften it. Heart-shaped and oval faces follow similar rules — with the right highlights you can optimise your contours.
• Highlighters are not just for the face — they also work on the décolleté or shoulders. A gentle shimmer on the collarbone or shoulder caps gives your skin a glamorous, sun-kissed look. This is especially elegant and feminine for festive occasions.
• Don't forget to remove your highlighter thoroughly in the evening. Cleanse your face well to remove makeup residues and shimmer particles. This helps prevent blemishes and gives your skin the chance to regenerate overnight.

Highlighter is a true all-rounder that instantly gives your look freshness, radiance and contour. With the right technique and shade you can skillfully emphasise your best features and give your complexion a natural or glamorous sheen. Whether subtle for everyday or intense for evening — a highlighter adapts perfectly to your style and any occasion.