"No one looks that good.” How many times have you thought that while browsing the magazine rack? Those picture perfect faces look so good due in large to perfect lighting. But some cosmetic companies are pledging to create the same luminous look produced in studio photo shoots with just a twist of a highlighting pen.

What is a Facial Highlighter?

Still fairly new to the cosmetic market, facial highlighting pens are filled with concealer-like creams with light-reflecting pigments in broad shades designed to fit all skin tones. Their purpose is to produce model-perfect looks that instantly brighten and lift the skin’s appearance.

How do they Work?

Your face naturally casts shadows in the inner and outer corners of your eyes, at the corners of your mouth and around the folds of your nose. These shadows, especially near the eyes, can cause you to look tired and make your skin appear dull and unhealthy. Facial highlighters use tints that reflect the light and cause the contours of your face to become visibly brighter. This draws attention away from the shadows by casting an even “glow” across the face. With a brighter, more even tone to the skin, color cosmetics are more pronounced and the skin appears to have had a “lift.”

Proper Application

To light up your look and give your skin a fresh radiant finish, begin with all-over coverage with foundation. Choose a highlighter shade lighter than your foundation or powder to maximize the brightening effect. With the highlighting pen, draw a straight line along the outside edge of the shadowy areas of your face. With a brush or your fingertip, blend well by patting small circles toward the inside of the eyes, nose or mouth. Cover with a light dusting of powder and your usual color cosmetics.

Hint: Most facial highlighters are sheer yet potent. A little goes a long way, so apply lightly to avoid caking. When too much highlighter is applied, it leaves a streak instead of a soft glow.

Tip: Because facial highlighters offer light coverage, they are especially useful on the dark circles around eyes and on blemishes or redness around the nose and mouth. However, highlighters will not replace your everyday concealer. If you have especially dark under-eye circles and require considerable concealer, highlighters tend to cake when applied to the same area and, if not properly applied, smear concealer. If your skin is dry or flaking, highlighters accentuate the dryness. To avoid this, moisturize well, choose a foundation with coverage and hydration suited to your skin’s needs, be sure to allow enough time for foundation and concealer to dry and apply highlighter to the edges of the area where concealer is used the most.

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