Although applying makeup might frequently look like instructions that must be followed in a specific order, there is always some disagreement over whether highlighters should be placed before or after foundation. The idea of applying highlighter before foundation to obtain a more natural, luminous glow is gaining traction, even though many beauty enthusiasts insist on doing it after foundation. Regardless of the strategy you decide on, we’ll go over the advantages of each, things to think about, and how to achieve the greatest outcomes in this post.

What is a Makeup Highlighter?

Let’s first go over what a highlighter is and why it’s an essential part of beauty routines before getting into when to apply it. Highlighter is a type of cosmetics that reflects light off your skin to give your face a dazzling, dewy appearance. It is usually used on the cheekbones, nose bridge, brow bone, and cupid’s bow—areas of the face where light naturally strikes. HighlightersHighlighters are available in various formulas, such as powder, cream, liquid, and different hues to accommodate diverse skin tones to accommodate diverse skin tones.

By providing your face dimension and a healthy glow, highlighters are mostly used to accentuate your natural features. Some people could choose a dramatic, glitzy highlight, while others prefer a subtle, daily glow. Knowing how to apply highlighter correctly is essential to getting the look you want, regardless of how you want to wear it.

Applying Highlighter Before Foundation

Highlighter is typically placed after foundation and other basic makeup, such as powder and concealer. This enables you to create a smooth, even canvas and then use a highlighter to sculpt and define the face. To achieve a more ethereal glow that appears to emanate from within the skin, a more recent method has arisen in which beauty enthusiasts and makeup artists apply highlighter first, before the foundation.

You are laying the groundwork for a radiant complexion when you use highlighter before foundation. A gentle, natural shine is left behind once the highlighter is blended and smoothed with the foundation. This technique gives you a fresh, dewy look without needing a thick, layered highlighter, which can help you achieve a more subtle glow, especially if your complexion is dry or dull.

Benefits of Applying Highlighter Before Foundation

• Lit-From-Within, Natural Glow: Applying a highlighter before the foundation has several advantages, one of which is that it produces a more radiant, natural-looking finish. Applying highlighter first allows the foundation to mix over it, giving you a smooth, lit-from-within glow instead of using it on top of your foundation, occasionally producing an obvious contrast.
• Hydration and Dewy Finish: Using a highlighter before the foundation can help seal moisture and produce a radiant appearance for people with dry skin or those seeking a more dewy finish. In addition to giving the skin a delicate sheen, many liquid or cream highlighters contain moisturizing elements that can nourish the skin.
• Improved Blending: When you apply highlighter first, it diffuses beneath your foundation, making blending with the rest of your makeup easier. It gives the skin a uniform, flawless shine without seeming spotty or streaky.
• Less Intensity: Applying highlighter before foundation might let you manage the intensity if you like a softer, more understated look. In contrast to placing the highlighter on top, which some people may find excessively dramatic, the foundation will reduce the glitter of the highlighter, giving you a more natural appearance.

When Should You Consider Applying Highlighter Before Foundation?

• For a Luminous, Makeup-Free Look: It would be best to apply highlighter before foundation if you want a more natural makeup look. It makes your skin appear youthful and luminous as if you were beaming from the inside out.
• Regarding Dull or Dry Skin: Applying highlighter first might help your skin get the extra moisture and brightness it needs if you suffer from dry skin or a dull complexion. You may get a youthful, healthy glow by applying a moisturizing highlighter before your foundation.
• If You Prefer a Gentle, Inconspicuous Glow: Applying highlighter first and then adding foundation on top might give you the soft, subtle glow you desire if you prefer that to a bright, dazzling highlight.

Applying Highlighter After Foundation: The Traditional Approach

Traditionally, highlighter is applied by layering it over the foundation and other base products. This is the most popular method and gives you greater control over how your face is defined and sculpted. For a more refined appearance, the highlighter is used as a last step to emphasize certain areas like the cupid’s bow, brow bone, and cheekbones.

Advantages of Highlighting After Foundation

• Greater Command Over Intensity: Applying highlighter after foundation gives you more control over the highlight’s appearance intensity. Whether you want a delicate sheen or a more dramatic highlight, you may build up the product to the right level of radiance.
• Accuracy and Sculpture: You can use a highlighter to enhance and shape your face when you apply it after foundation. Give depth, dimension, and attention to your features by carefully applying highlighter to the high points of your face.
• Ideal for Complete Coverage Styles: To prevent your highlight from being silenced or washed away by the full coverage foundation, apply it afterward if you want it to stand out more. The full-coverage base can have the highlighter applied on top to create a beautiful contrast and brilliance.
• Blends Easily: Highlighter frequently blends in well with foundation when applied on top of it, particularly when lighter formulations or powder highlighters are used. Doing this allows you to get a blended, smooth finish without affecting your foundation.

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Final Thoughts

In the end, your personal preferences and the style you wish to achieve will determine whether you apply highlighter before or after the foundation. You can use a highlighter before the foundation for a natural, glowing-from-within appearance. However, putting your highlight after the foundation might be best if you want more control over its intensity or a more defined, sculpted look.

Experimenting with both techniques to determine which suits your skin type, cosmetic routine, and desired shine is essential to attaining the greatest outcome. Using products complimenting your natural skin tone and texture is crucial, regardless of when you apply your highlighter. This will ensure that your highlighter accentuates your characteristics rather than overpowers them.