Natural Highlighter Alternatives and Its Uses for the Body

Natural Alternatives for a "Glass Skin" Look (Vaseline, Lip Balm, Face Mists)

To achieve a dewy look and a natural radiance without using traditional shimmery highlighters, you can rely on the following alternatives that provide the same effect:

• Good Skincare and Natural Radiance: The ultimate and most natural highlighter alternative is relying on your skin's health and its natural oils. If you follow a solid skincare routine, or if your skin naturally produces some oils (especially in humid weather), your face will look luminous and dewy on its own, without appearing dull or dry enough to force you to use a highlighter.
  
  
• Hydrating Face Mists: Face mists (such as Korean brands containing hydrating serums or ampoules) are an excellent option to hydrate the skin, giving it a superb glow and an ultra-dewy finish.
  
  
• Using a Lighter Concealer: If your goal is to highlight and brighten specific areas of your face, but you dislike the sparkle left by traditional highlighters, you can use a very small amount of a concealer that is one shade lighter and blend it with a damp sponge. This will give your face the desired illumination and dimension while looking completely natural.

There are additional natural alternatives to achieve a dewy glass skin look. You can use a very light dab of Vaseline, a clear lip balm (with no color or chunky glitter), or a drop of your favorite face oil. By tapping a tiny amount onto the highest points of your cheekbones, these products will excellently reflect light, giving you a fresh, dewy look free of any artificial shimmer particles.

Areas to Avoid Applying Highlighter (Large Pores, Acne, Prominent Wrinkles)

Since highlighters reflect light and draw attention, the golden rule is to avoid applying them to any area you do not want to emphasize or highlight. Here are the areas where it is highly recommended to avoid applying highlighter (especially shimmery types):

• Wrinkles, Fine Lines, and Smile Lines: Avoid putting highlighter near any facial lines, as it will emphasize them and make them more noticeable. If you have wrinkles on the upper cheeks, it is best to apply the highlighter slightly below them to avoid drawing attention.
  
  
• Textured Areas, Blemishes, and Large Pores: Highlighter does not conceal skin imperfections; instead, it accentuates any bumps, acne, or large pores. For this reason, it is recommended not to drag the highlighter too far inward (towards the center of the face and nose) to avoid emphasizing large pores that are often found in this area.
  
  
• Under and Around the Nose: Applying highlighter directly under the nose can create an unflattering look resembling a runny nose. Additionally, applying it too close to the nose can make you look sweaty.
  
  
• Under the Brow Bone (In Some Cases): Although highlighting under the brow bone was a very popular technique in the 90s and 2000s, some makeup artists advise against it today. If your brow bone is naturally prominent, putting highlighter underneath will increase its prominence, which can make your eyes look sunken and hollow. As an alternative, you can apply a little bit above the eyebrow to create a lifted and tightened effect.
  
  
• Active Muscular Areas: If your face features active muscle movement, applying shimmery highlighter to areas that move frequently can create uneven lines and shadows when your facial expressions change.

Pro Tip: In these areas where you want to hide imperfections or avoid drawing attention to skin texture, it is always preferred to rely on matte products that diffuse light and minimize the appearance of flaws.

How to Use a Lighter Concealer as a Matte Highlighter Alternative to Hide Dark Circles and Wrinkles

Using concealer is an excellent trick and an ideal highlighter alternative, especially if you want to illuminate the face without accentuating wrinkles and fine lines.

Why is Concealer Preferred to Avoid Accentuating Wrinkles?

Traditional highlighters rely on shimmer to reflect light, and this shine draws attention and highlights any fine lines (like smile lines), pores, or uneven skin texture. In contrast, concealer gives you the desired "illuminating" and brightening effect for facial features, but without the shimmer or glitter that emphasizes wrinkles.

How to Properly Use Concealer as a Highlighter Alternative:

• Choosing the Shade: Use a liquid concealer that is one shade lighter than your natural skin tone to achieve the best highlighting effect.
  
  
• Application and Blending: Apply a very small amount and blend it with a damp sponge onto the areas you want to highlight.
  
  
• Ideal Placement: Apply it to the outer corners of the eyes to give your face a lifting effect, and make sure to apply it before powder, especially on areas of your face that do not move much to ensure it stays in place.

This way, you will get a bright, sculpted face with natural dimensions, while avoiding drawing attention to any existing fine lines or wrinkles.

Key Rules When Using Concealer as a Highlighter

• Blending Method: Use a very small amount of a concealer that is one shade lighter than your natural skin tone, and blend gently with a damp sponge for soft facial illumination without annoying shine or glitter.
  
  
• Application Timing: Make sure to apply this lighter concealer before using setting powder to lock it in properly.
  
  
• Placement Areas: Focus on areas of your face that don't move much, such as the outer corners of the eyes, which will help give your face a bright, lifting effect.
  
  

Applying Body Highlighter (Collarbones and Shoulders) and Setting It with Layering

Using a body highlighter adds a touch of radiance and charm, especially when wearing off-the-shoulder outfits or dresses. Here is how to apply it perfectly:

• Ideal Application Areas: Apply the highlighter to the top of the collarbones to accentuate them and add a beautiful luminosity that catches the light. You can also apply it to the tops of the shoulders for a radiant, attractive look.
  
  
• The Right Type of Highlighter for the Body: It is preferred to use a lightweight liquid or gel-type highlighter that does not contain large or chunky glitter particles, as it is versatile and easy to distribute and blend across large areas of the body. There are also highlighters specifically designed for body application available on the market.
  
  
• Tip for Blending Face and Body Makeup: Just as we previously discussed the importance of blending bronzer down the neck, you can leverage this rule here. Take whatever product is left on your brush (whether it's bronzer or a light shimmer) and sweep it gently down your neck. This simple step helps connect your face makeup with your body so you look fully coordinated in color and radiance.
  
  

How to Avoid Harsh Highlighter Lines When Blending

To avoid your highlighter appearing as harsh lines or an unnatural stripe on your face, you can follow these techniques recommended by makeup experts:

• Using the Magic Tool (Makeup Sponge): If you feel that the highlighter looks like a harsh line or a stark stripe, the perfect solution is to use a damp makeup sponge that already contains a little leftover concealer or foundation from your previous makeup steps. Gently press the sponge around the edges of the highlighter; this will help melt and blend it seamlessly with the rest of your makeup, picking up any excess product that makes the look unnatural.
  
  
• Choosing the Right Brush: To avoid applying too much product right from the start, avoid using overly dense brushes. Instead, use a small, fluffy, light-bristled brush, which ensures the highlighter is applied as a sheer, softly diffused layer.
  
  
• Application Method (Tapping instead of Wiping): When applying highlighter, make sure your hand is very light. It is preferred to apply the product using light tapping motions rather than sliding motions, as this helps blend the highlighter better without shifting or ruining the products underneath, such as blush.
  
  

How Do I Apply Highlighter If My Skin Has Pores or Wrinkles?

Using highlighter on skin with visible pores or wrinkles requires a specific technique, as highlighter naturally attracts light and can emphasize skin imperfections and texture. If your skin struggles with these issues, here is how to apply highlighter professionally:

• Avoid Imperfection-Prone Areas: It is best to avoid applying highlighter directly over areas with heavy pores or wrinkles. Instead, use matte products in these sections to diffuse light and minimize the appearance of uneven texture.
  
  
• Choose Alternative Areas for Illumination: If you want to avoid the cheeks or prominent areas of the face where pores are common, you can place the highlighter on other spots where imperfections don't show, such as the inner corners of the eyes or the high points of the eyelids.
  
  
• Use Finely Milled Formulas: Completely avoid highlighters that contain large glitter or shimmer particles, and choose types with ultra-fine, smoothly milled particles. These are the best for daily use and mature skin. High-end brands often offer this type of formula, which gives a soft, sophisticated glow without emphasizing skin texture.
  
  
• Mix It with Foundation: For a safe, subtle radiance, you can mix liquid highlighter with your foundation. This method gives the face an overall glow and diffuses the illumination softly, ensuring it doesn't map out flaws.
  
  
• Control the Amount: When using highlighter, apply it sparingly and build it up slowly. One of the most important rules is knowing when to stop adding more to avoid accentuating unwanted texture.
  
  

What Are the Best Long-Lasting Types of Body Highlighter?

Liquid and gel-type formulas are the ideal and most flexible options for body use, thanks to their lightweight texture and ease of distribution over large areas like collarbones and shoulders. Highlighters specifically designed for body use are also available on the market.

How do you make it last long?

Liquid or cream highlighters provide wonderful radiance and hydration to the skin, but they often don't set or last very long on their own. To guarantee the body highlighter stays put for as long as possible, it is recommended to use the layering technique:

1. Start by applying a layer of cream, liquid, or gel highlighter as a base.
   
   
2. Next, apply a bit of powder highlighter on top to set it in, ensuring it won't budge or fade quickly.

This way, you achieve an attractive body shimmer with high longevity that lasts throughout your entire event.

How Do I Make Highlighter Last Longer on Oily Skin?

Keeping highlighter in place for longer on oily skin primarily relies on choosing the right formula and using the layering technique:

• Choosing the Right Formula: It is highly recommended to rely on powder highlighters or cream-to-powder formulas. Avoid liquid or cream types designed for buttery hydration, as they are meant for dry skin and will not last long on oily skin prone to sweat and humidity.
  
  
• Layering Technique for Maximum Staying Power: If you want to ensure your highlighter lasts as long as possible, you can use the layering technique by applying a layer of cream highlighter first, then sweeping a bit of powder highlighter over it to set it in. This method prevents the product from sliding or melting into the skin's natural oils.
  
  
• Strategic Application and Avoiding Sebum-Prone Areas: Since oily skin is often accompanied by large pores or textured skin, putting highlighter on these areas will attract attention to these imperfections and emphasize them. To avoid this and maintain a clean look, focus the highlighter only on safe, elevated points (like the tops of the cheekbones), and rely on matte products in areas prone to issues or excess oil production to diffuse light away from them.
  
  

What Is the Best Way to Apply Highlighter for Combination Skin?

The best way to apply highlighter for combination skin is to use a mix-and-match approach tailored to the nature of each part of the face, as follows:

• Oily Areas: Use a powder highlighter on parts that tend to produce oil, such as the T-zone (for example, the bridge of the nose).
  
  
• Dry Areas: Apply a liquid or cream highlighter to the drier parts of your face, like the cheekbones.
  
  
• For Quick Touch-Ups: A stick highlighter is an excellent choice for combination skin if you are looking for an easy, quick one-swipe application or for touching up your makeup while on the go.