My favorite brushes to use are ones that are small and tapered (a typical highlighting brush, really), as I can get decent coverage while still getting a more diffused look overall. For a very pigmented or more metallic highlighter (or if I’m going for a softer finish), I’ll use a fan brush. Sometimes if I feel like the highlighter is overboard,
I’ll dust translucent powder on top.
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I like my highlight to be blinding, disco-ball levels of intense, so I use a Morphe M510 brush.
I apply with a fan tail brush or tapered highlighter brush. Usually to the cheekbones higher towards temple. A little above the eyebrow. Not really to the full extent of a c shape. I don’t apply highlight daily. I feel it’s too trendy of a concept and not really me. I do it very subtly if I do it at all
Most, and especially so the more finely milled ones get my Luxie 522 Tapered Highlighter Brush, which I love. More intense or metallic ones get applied with a fan brush or stiple highlighter brush. ColourPop and other cream highlighters get applied with my fingertips.
I use the Wayne Goss Airbrush as it is really soft, small enough to give me precision application and doesn’t pick up too much product. I had used a fan brush in the past but I find that for me the WG brush works better. I have also started applying my powder highlighter before applying my blush. I just seem to get a better look that way. For cream highlighters I like to just use my finger to tap it on. I recently saw Lisa Eldridge mix a cream highlighter with a cream blush and I loved the look so have to try that next time I am using cream products.
It depends on the formula: cream, liquid or powder. Lately I’ve been using mostly powders or a cushion highlighter (the holiday LE from Lancome) and both types work well with the Real Techniques Contour brush that I got in a kit. I don’t like that brush to contour at all (too round, to soft, to pointed), but it’s pointy shape and softness is actually perfect for highlighters.
Liberally. With Zoeva’s 105/Highlight (small and tapered alright) brush.
I LOVE that brush! It’s the only one of theirs I’ve bought separately instead of in a set so far. Zoeva brushes are soooo good!
Depends on the formula. Highlighters with high sheen or metallic finishes I apply very lightly just to tops of cheekbones and temples = fan brush. Others that I wear more as a partial blush topper either my small Hakuhodo blush brush or Goss Air brush.
Sparingly, lol. Joking aside, I use a fan brush.
I usually use a tapered brush for a stronger application, a fan brush if I want a softer look with an intense highlighter.
Recently I have been using the air brush or the sukku cheek. I love the “glow from within” look I get while using this brush to buff the powder. I find out about this when I had to travel light!
Not much experience with cream or liquids highlighter!
I usually either use the Zoeva 105 Luxe Highlight brush , CT Powder & Sculpt brush, or a fan brush to apply powder highlight. For cream or liquid I use my fingers or a stippling brush and then generally blend either with my fingers, the Zoeva concealer buffing brush, or the RT Setting Brush.
I use Becca poured highlighters. I use my finger to put them on. I apply above my eyebrows, temples to half way under eyes, lightly down top of nose bringing down sides, my Cupid’s bow and the sweet spot under my bottom lip. If I’m going out for night I may place from temple to nose. If I’m using Becca liquid highlighter I’ll mix half with half portions of my foundation and mix in hand. Applying with brush. Gives a very Dewey look. Love highlighters!
I like a medium highlight. Not natural, or sheer. But not full on Mr Roboto.
I like to use a squared, flattish brush, and i’ll press the tips of the brush into the powder, then I’ll MAYBE lightly tap it off (only if it’s a very powdery highlight!) then I tilt my to the side to my cheek bone it easier to “see” then I run the brush from the apple of my cheek, all the way up in a C shape to my temples!! After I get the placement down, then i flip the brush over to the side with no product on it, and I’ll use that to buff and blend it out!
Like most everyone here, it depends. For the two more glow-y ones I have — MUG Luster and Becca Opal (sample size) I use a fan brush. For Laura Mercier Matte Radiance 01 (my fave), or the Kevin Aucoin highlighter that is part of the Neo Bronzer palette, I use the Wayne Goss Air Brush.
I have to be careful that highlighter does not accentuate my eye troughs too much (age), so placement is important. On me, I like a bit of highlighters on the bones above the inside of the eyebrow area. That seems to suit me for some reason.
Also, sometimes using the highlighter under a matte blush can really be nice.
I own several different highlighting brushes but I tend to use the same fan brushes all the time. Depending on the highlighter I will use a thin fan brush or sometimes a fuller thicker one.
I use an Eco Tools fan brush to apply pretty much any highlighter, if it’s powder. If it’s more of a cream, like a ColourPop highlighter, then I usually use fingers or a damp Real Techniques sponge.
I only have liquid highlighters right now! So fingers.
I just dust it lightly across the top of my cheeks, but I probably need another brush.
I will lightly tap some on with my fingers then blend it out with an ELF blush brush. Simple, but it works. If it is a creme, I use a small stipple brush or my fingers.
I tend to gravitate to my WG Airbrush the most. I don’t use highlighter daily, but when I do I put a touch above my blush below the outer edge of my eyes, down my nose, the inner corner of my eyes, below the brow bone and the the top bow of my lips, it looks really cool when the light catches it.
I mostly use the Sigma High Cheekbone Highlighter brush and apply highlighter to the top of my cheekbone blending back towards my temple. I’ll also very lightly sweep it on the outer corners of my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, the center of my chin and the cupids bow. I also like to use a fan brush, but prefer the Sigma one because I think does a better job of blending.
Real Techniques Setting Brush! It’s perfect!
I too use a angled highlighter brush. I have a fan brush for the days I want really dramatic highlight but sometimes that fan brush is just too too much. I have also gotten better results using an “Faux” artiste oval brush. That thing is perfect for getting the highlight just right!!
I use either the e.l.f. Blush Brush or Angled Blush Brush to apply powder highlighter. I put it on on the tops of my cheekbones, the center of my forehead, bridge of nose (never the tip!), and center of my chin. I then use my ring finger to patch a tiny bit on my cupid’s bow.
I rarely use cream highlighter, but if I do, I use either my fingers or a small stipple brush to put it on the tops of my cheekbones only. Creams don’t do well on the rest of my face.