To recall the biggest trends of the beauty realm is to acknowledge that there was a time where more was more. It might sound hard to believe considering the present-day pervasiveness of understated aesthetics such as glass skin and MLBB, but long standing skincare savants and make-up maestros know better. In fact, it was an age not too long ago that big, bushy brows à la Cara Delevingne were deemed ideal. Foundation was caked on in liberal amounts. And a non-negotiable in any beauty buff’s regime? A blinding swathe of highlighter.
“In 2016, the highlights were extreme as they had to match the equally extreme contour craze,” remarks Cheryl Ow, professional make-up artist. “It was a very strong look, and people were very taken by it because you could look snatched with just make-up alone. I suspect, however, that they were trying to signal the aliens on Mars with all that strobing,” she laughs.
Indeed, the fads of yesteryear were infinitely more ostentatious. That’s not to say that you should be abandoning your highlighter entirely, however. These days, said light-reflecting powders are still in rotation, albeit applied differently with regard to placement and technique. Below, a comprehensive rundown of how to make the look work for you in 2024, with product recommendations to boot.
1 / 3
Put it along the eye area
Think a sheer wash of shimmer over the lid, and just below the brow, or right at the inner corners of your peepers. “I’ve noticed a lot more people highlighting the area directly and above the eyebrows. It works because it gives a more lifted look,” explains Ow. “I recommend skipping out on highlighter along the chin and middle of the forehead, as a lot of people just end up looking oily thanks to Singapore’s climate.”
2 / 3
Place it right on your cupid’s bow
Nothing enhances a shellacked pout quite like a hint of highlighter right at the cupid’s bow. #BeautyTok is all for the look, with our favourite personalities advocating for application along the fullest points of the lips as well.
3 / 3
Dust it over your nails
There’s no doubt that the high-shine chrome nails frequently donned by Dua Lipa and Sabrina Carpenter are inspired by diamond-bright highlighters. To achieve this look, simply apply a pearlescent topcoat over a base colour, or dust your highlighter on directly over your talons, and seal it off with a topcoat.
