How to Highlight
By Lamyaa Aissi · Professional Makeup Artist, Casablanca
Highlighter is controlled light. Placed on the points where the face naturally catches sun — cheekbones, brow bones, the bridge of the nose — it creates dimension and freshness instantly.
The line between glow and glitter is placement and texture. Here's how to keep it luminous, never frosty.
What you'll need
- A highlighter in cream, liquid, or finely milled powder
- A small tapered brush or fingertips
- Skin prepped with your usual base
Step 1: Choose undertone like a foundation
Champagne and gold flatter golden and olive skin; pearl and pink suit fair cool skin; bronze and copper glow on deep skin. A highlighter that's too light sits on top like frost.
Step 2: Start with the cheekbones
Smile and find the highest point of the cheekbone, above where blush sits. Apply along the bone toward the temple, staying above the cheek hollow.
Step 3: Touch the features that catch light
A little on the brow bone, the bridge (not the tip) of the nose, the cupid's bow, and the inner corners of the eyes. Small doses in many places beat one bright stripe.
Step 4: Melt cream, press powder
Cream and liquid formulas: tap in with fingertips while the base is unset. Powder: press with a small brush after setting — sweeping motions disturb the base and dull the glow.
Step 5: Control the intensity
Daytime wants a subtle sheen visible only when the head turns; evenings and photos can take a second, wetter layer on the cheekbone peak.
Pro tips from the chair
- Highlight sits above blush, never on top of it — layering shimmer over colour turns both muddy.
- Skip highlighter over textured or breakout-prone areas; light amplifies texture as much as it flatters bone structure.
- Liquid highlighter mixed into foundation gives an all-over candlelight base for evening events.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly does highlighter go?
Anywhere the sun would naturally hit: tops of cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of nose, cupid's bow, inner eye corners, and optionally the collarbones for events.
Cream or powder highlighter?
Cream looks most like real skin and suits dry or mature skin; powder lasts longer on oily skin and layers well over powder-set bases. Many pros use cream first, powder on top for events.
Learn it hands-on in Casablanca
Reading only gets you so far — technique clicks when someone corrects your hand in real time. I teach one-on-one makeup lessons in Casablanca tailored to your face, your kit, and your skill level, from 600 MAD. Or if you'd rather have it done for you, book a session for your next event.
More guides: all tutorials · the full smokey eye masterclass · bridal makeup tutorial.