Rave: They tend to have smoother, more luminous finishes that don’t emphasize skin texture. They can also have a shinier, almost wet-look finish, too, that isn’t as typical of powder-based highlighters. Rant: The delivery systems often gives wayyy too much product, and they can sometimes lift up base products or spread too easily.
— Christine
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My first highlighter was highbeam by Benefit.. that was decades ago and it was certainly ubiquitous at the time. I love the look of liquids because they meld with the skin so wonderfully, but powders have come a long way and do not typically lift base products as liquids can. Liquids are great for adding subtle radiance to foundation, but again, they can reduce foundation wear time and prevent foundation from clinging especially to redness prone areas, nose and chin. At this juncture, I’m pretty much all in with powders. I like the idea of liquids for décolletage and collarbones, but it’s a step I haven’t ventured down… again just gone with whatever is leftover on my brush from my face for special ocassions.
I like to use them under foundation b/c I find them to be a bit too overwhelming at times. But I really do enjoy them b/c they can give a lit from within effect. However, they do put out way too much product. I have one from Suva Beauty and it’s a dropper. I am able to put out just 1 drop, but even that is too much product.
Love that they can be added to moisturizer or your foundation for a little added shimmer all over if you like a luminous look.
Hate that they sometimes won’t settle nicely over foundation and cause you to wipe away product while trying to apply
Rave: A wet glossy looks great sometimes in photos or editorial make-up. But any make-up can look great in a specific context.
Rant: I actually don’t have a rant on this, simply because I don’t use liquids beyond foundation / concealer; for me only powder contour, blonzer, blush and highlighter work. I simply can’t make liquid (and even creams) work for me. And also, I simply barely use highlighter, the dewy luminous finish is not for me. It’s hard to rant on a product you never use. 😆
Rave: I love them for mixing a little bit into a matte finish foundation to give it some luminosity and a more natural looking radiant finish! More rarely as an actual highlighter. When I go that route, it’s over a BB cream.
Rant: Fear of them either lifting my base products! Also, if I work up a sweat, get raindrops or something on my face, liquid highlighter is more likely to run or breakdown. Same concern with liquid blush.
Rant: I don’t have one.
Rave: All of the liquid highlighters i have used have worked beautifully over my foundation and I have received many compliments when I wear it.
I put one on yesterday it looked so pretty. In a few minutes it was gone. Not sure if my foundation ate it.
Mixing liquid and cream and some powder products are so hard. I find myself not reaching for them at all. Wish I had bought none.
Rant – I think you could very easily end up with too much highlighter on your hands and end up looking far too shiny…
Rave: I usually really love the finish of a liquid highlighter.
Rant: Sometimes they can feel a little gritty when they dry.
Rant: Most are comedogenic with tons of essential oils
Rave: They are beautiful. lol.