The Ultimate Guide to Highlighter: How to Glow Like You Mean It

May 5, 2026

Highlighter is one of the most transformative products in your makeup bag. Applied correctly, it can lift your features, add dimension, and give you that coveted lit-from-within glow. Applied incorrectly, it can look patchy or overdone. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about highlighter — and how to use the Brittany Cosmetics brush range to apply it flawlessly.

What Does Highlighter Actually Do?

Highlighter works by reflecting light away from the areas it's applied to, creating the illusion of brightness and elevation. When placed on the high points of the face — the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bone, the nose tip, the cupid's bow — it makes those areas appear more prominent and luminous. The result is a face that looks sculpted, glowing, and three-dimensional.

Choosing the Right Highlighter Shade

The key to a natural-looking highlight is choosing a shade that complements your skin tone:

Fair skin: Opt for soft champagne, pearl, or icy pink shades that won't look too warm or orange.
Light to medium skin: Gold, rose gold, and warm champagne shades are universally flattering.
Medium to olive skin: Rich golds and bronze-toned highlights look stunning against warm undertones.
Deep skin: Deep golds, coppers, and bronze shades create a stunning, rich glow on deeper complexions.

The Best Brushes for Applying Highlighter

The brush you use makes a significant difference to how your highlighter looks. The Brittany Cosmetics range includes two dedicated highlighting brushes:

Highlight Brush

The Highlight Brush has a tapered, fan-like shape that deposits highlighter precisely on the tops of the cheekbones for a focused, intense glow. Use it when you want a more defined, sculpted highlight.

Highlighter Brush

The Highlighter Brush has a slightly larger, fluffier head that diffuses highlighter more softly across the cheekbones for a natural, blurred glow. Use it when you want a more subtle, skin-like radiance.

Shop Highlight & Highlighter Brushes →

Where to Apply Highlighter: A Placement Guide

The Cheekbones

The most classic placement. Apply highlighter to the very tops of your cheekbones — the highest point when you look straight ahead. Blend upward toward the temples for a lifted effect.

The Brow Bone

A small amount of highlighter just below the arch of the brow lifts and opens the eye area. Use a small brush or your fingertip for precise placement.

The Inner Corner of the Eyes

Dabbing a tiny amount of highlighter or a shimmery eyeshadow to the inner corners of the eyes instantly brightens and widens the eyes. Use the Eye Detail Brush for precision.

The Cupid's Bow

A touch of highlighter on the cupid's bow makes the lips look fuller and more defined. Apply with a fine brush or your fingertip.

The Nose Tip

A tiny amount of highlighter on the tip of the nose creates a cute, button-nose effect. Use the Nose Shadow Brush for the most precise application.

The Centre of the Forehead and Chin

For a full glass-skin effect, lightly dust highlighter down the centre of the forehead and on the chin to create a luminous, symmetrical glow.

Common Highlighter Mistakes to Avoid

Applying too low on the cheeks — this can make the face look wider. Always apply to the very tops of the cheekbones.
Using too much product — build up gradually. A little goes a long way with highlighter.
Choosing the wrong shade — a highlighter that's too warm or too cool for your skin tone can look unnatural.
Skipping blending — always blend the edges of your highlighter so it fades seamlessly into your skin.