How I Highlight My Face

Hi guys!

This post is going to be about highlighting. At least, this is how I do highlighting. Most of the times I do highlight and contour, even though I don't do harsh contour. Just a little bit to cut my chubby cheeks and to shape my nose, since nose could look a bit flat in picture. However when I don't have enough time, I'd pick highlighting over contouring. It's always easier to accentuate rather than hiding you features.

How I do highlighting is based on video tutorial by Wayne Goss. His technique is more advance and he also include contouring in his tutorial. Click here if you want to watch his. The 'triangle' technique under the eyes is not new though, Kandee Johnson also has a video about it before Wayne posted it. Of course like so many makeup techniques, I learned it and then shaped in a way that feels comfortable for me.

What I use is my MUFE Lift Concealer and Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush (or any paddle foundation brush will do). Sometimes I want extra shimmer so I add my theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer highlighter.

1. I always do highlighting after my foundation. Now, the general rule of thumb is “Cream to cream (or liquid); Powder to powder.” The bottom line is, you want to apply all of your powder products after you apply your liquid or cream products.

2. The area I work on first is my undereye, as it is the widest area. Using my foundation brush, I start by creating the frame of the triangle and then fill it. As you can see in the picture, I draw the line starting from the inner part of my eyes all the way on the side of my nose. Another line goes from my inner corner of the eyes all the way to the temple. And then draw another line to connect those two lines.

3. I also add the concealer on other areas that I want to highlight. Like in between my brows, halfway down my nose, on my cupid’s bow and under my lips (marked in white dots). I don’t apply the concealer all over the center part of my forehead as it will give the illusion of wider forehead. As well as on my nose, I don’t drag it all the way to the tip to avoid my nose looking bigger (since I don't do contour here) and oily. The concealer might look a bit too harsh but I give it time to set while I do my eyes. The pink area is where I apply my blush.

4. As you can see after I did my eyes, the area under my eyes doesn’t look as harsh as before yet the highlight effect still noticeable. This is the step where I apply my powder. But I usually just powder the center part of my face and dust a tiny layer of powder on the undereye area to keep the highlight effect.

5. As the final step, as I said, I add shimmery highlighter to bring out the area even more. Add lipstick of your choice and you're done!
   

Other products I used
Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation
Ben Nye Banana Visage Poudre
MAC Powder Blush 'My Highland Honey'

MAC Eyeshadow 'Cork'
Stila Smudge Pot 'Cobalt'
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres no.9