I love mixing liquid highlighters into my foundation as I find it stretches out whatever base I’m using, adds some luminosity, and is a great way to soften skin texture overall. I don’t tend to use them as a standalone highlighter much as they’re often a little too subtle or prone to wasting product (most pump-mechanisms dispense way too much product!).
— Christine
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I like that they’re easier to pat on over foundation or mix with foundation. I don’t like that almost all of them are too shimmery or glittery for me.
Same. I’ve de-stashed all of mine because it’s just impractical for me – I only spot highlight now.
Everything you stated above, Christine ⬆️
About the only use they have for me is either as a mixer with my foundation, or under my foundation in areas where I want to add a bit of extra luminosity and glow without using a traditional highlighter. The later works best for me if I do this under my BB cream or a foundation with medium coverage instead of something heavier.
I like the idea of them, but I’ve never loved actually using them. I have a mini Cover FX one in Moonlight and it’s obnoxiously bright even when applied very gently lol. I also have a Laura Geller one in Diamond Dust and it sits oddly over my foundation. They’d probably work better for me if my skin wasn’t so oily, they don’t meld nicely like powder and creams.
I also love mixing a drop or two into my foundation for similar reasons but some are more metallic/glittery than others so there are a couple I have to be sparing with!!! I haven’t found a foolproof way to use them as an actual cheek/face highlighter as a separate step (over blush or whatever) that isn’t messy or risks messing up my base finish… I find a lipgloss type tube with a narrow nozzle the best way to control the amount but most of mine are in dropper bottles, which definitely require more care.
I like the Makeup Revolution ones – Luminous Gold is pretty much an exact dupe for Cover FX Moonlight but about a fifth of the price.
Their base never co-incides with my skintone and they therefore alter my base products into something I do not recognize as my own skin… too pink, too peach, too golden, too bronzey orange. I think some of them are create a beautiful finish mixed with foundation, but I have the colour issue and also the fact they seem to reduce the overall wear of base products and negatively affect breakdown of same in an unflattering way on mature skin. To date, I have not found one to love.
I love that they can give you a very healthy glow.. more natural than powder and look more dewey.
I hate when they lift foundation blush, concealer etc. ct Hollywood flawless filter did it on me sat with the Chanel skin tint. It’s always on just one side and so hard to fix.
As stand alone highlighters, I think they would be far too tricky to use – getting the right amount of product on either your brush or fingertips. Mixed with foundation seems to be the better way of using this product. Personally, I couldn’t cope with all of that, as I like a matte finish on my face.
I’ve been using liquid highlighters for many, many years and I’ve always applied them over top of my foundation, they just give me that little extra glow and I always get compliments when I wear them. I know which ones look good on me so I try to stick to tried and true brands. I know it’s another step but it’s worth it because people notice.
Exactly the same Christine. One tiny drop of CoverFX Sunlight mixed with my moisturizer, then another very tiny drop of CoverFX Candlelight mixed with tinted sunscreen. On my tan skin theres no discernable glitter, only a nice glow that lasts all day. I never wear liquid highlight on top of my skin, it lifts anything previously applied.
I’m not a fan. I have oily skin and they don’t really work for me.
I have dry skin and loathe a cake face, so the only thing I dislike about liquid highlighters is when they’re formulated with silicones (hello breakouts!). Although, sparse glittery particles sucks. And a colored base versus one more translucent. Hmm, guess there are a few things I don’t like then.
I haven’t actually used any yet. I’ve thought about it but what keeps me back is wondering how intense they’d be and how difficult it might be to control that.