My Favorite Highlighters for Fair Skin
Highlighters! Some of my very favorite things. I'm the kind of girl who could be wearing super simple eye makeup with sweats on, but have a blinding highlight on top of my cheekbones. Ever since I have discovered highlighters, I don't think I have gone a single day without it on.
A few years ago when I was just starting to get serious with makeup, I noticed that there really weren't any highlighters for fair skin. All of them were very gold, but since then, companies have really gotten creative with different highlighter shades and formulations. So, I thought that I would share with you all my favorite highlighters from my personal collection that work well on pale people like me. Let's begin!
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1. bh cosmetics Backlight Highlight Palette
The first one on my list today is not for the faint of heart. This one is for people who don't mind a highlight that is a bit "out there." I, of course, am one of those people since I like standing out in a crowd. These have to be some of the most creamy and pigmented highlighting powders I have ever tried, and the pan sizes are ginormous - really worth the price. And plus, they work on fair skin!
Of course, these are colored highlighters (pink, blue, green, yellow, silver, and pink holo), but the pink, yellow, and silver are totally wearable without them looking too crazy and unnatural. You just need to use a very light hand because it is VERY easy to go overboard and look like a nut-job. They are blinding as hell, but I would only recommend them if you enjoy an intense highlight. This one isn't for beginners, that's for sure. You can also use the powders as eye-shadow if you wanted. They are so pigmented, you don't even need to use them wet.
The bh cosmetics Backlight Highlight Palette retails for $17
2. True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator - Ice Glaze
I never thought in a million years that I would enjoy a liquid highlighter because with dry skin, highlighter picks up texture and dryness like no other. However, this one does a great job at smoothing the skin, and it is light enough for my fair complexion without leaving me with a noticeable cast or strip on my face.
You can use this highlighter as a primer, but I find that it works best strictly as a highlighter before any powders are used. This product applies best with fingers and not a brush or a sponge. I just apply some straight from the tube on to the tops of my cheekbones and dab it in using two fingers. What I like best about this is that it can be as intense as you want it. If you want a natural glow, just use a little, but if you want an intense glow, you can layer it up. The best part, if I decide to use a powder foundation over top, this highlight actually shows through it! It's perfect for office makeup because I can glow, but keep it professional at the same time.
3. Wet N Wild Loose Highlighting Powder in Moon Tears
HOLY PIGMENT! Not only has this powder become my favorite highlighter, but it also makes for a great eye-shadow. While this highlighter is kinda on the darker side, I can make it work on my fair complexion. The only downside to this guy is that since it is a loose pigment, it is way too easy to get too much on your brush...and then next thing you know your whole face is highlighted.
Aside from the formulation, it gives a nice smooth glow. It doesn't pick up on any texture and really melts right into the skin. You can use a brush, but you could also use your fingers to apply it if you wanted. It is intense, but it can also be sheered down if you want a more subtle glow; that's what's so great about loose pigments, you get more control.
The Wet N Wild Loose Highlighting Powder in Moon Tears has been discontinued, but a new loose powder from the brand is being released at Wal-Mart very soon! (And it looks nice and light!)
4. Ciate London Dewy Stix - Gleam
Natural makeup lovers, this one is for you! The dewy stix is perfect for those who like a wet looking highlight, perfect for summertime. The shade gleam is basically a clear gel with just a hint of gold, so I can see it working on all complexions. I just swipe it on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, and even on my lips, and it looks like I just got out of the pool.
It is a super easy highlighter, and you can use it so many different ways. I also think it is great for dry skin since it contains hyaluronic acid and helps take care of your texture. The only thing I don't enjoy about this is the fact that it doesn't dry down, so you might get your hair caught in it. However, since I normally only use this on days when my hair is up and I'm not wearing a ton of makeup, I don't mind it at all.
The Ciate London Dewy Stix retails for $26 at Sephora.
5. Sleek Solstice Highlighter Palette
Here is one for those on a budget who want options. With this palette, you can either go for a natural look, or go full drag. It depends on which shades you use or how many layers you want to apply. There is one cream color and three powders the yellow and the cream are the most natural, but the purple and the orange are super intense. Big plus, they all work on my fair skin!
I have used this palette on days when I want a subtle look, and when I want a super intense look. It's the best of both worlds. I think this palette is super beginner friendly, and for four shades, the price is hard to beat. It also doesn't look too bad on dry patches either. It's a great product, and I highly recommend it if you are in search of a new highlighter palette to try out!
The Sleek Solstice Highlighter Palette retails for $12.99
6. Sephora Collection Illuminate Palette
I've been talking about this palette for quite some time on this website, and I have for good reason. This is the perfect palette for beginners or those who want a nice, natural looking highlighter. It has a wide range of shades to fit a whole spectrum of complexions, and fortunately, it works for pale people!
I think this is a great palette for beginners, just like the last one, because it is easy to work with and isn't super intense. They are more on the powdery side, but they can be built up a bit if you want more of a shine. They do not give off a wet look, but more of a shiny glow, and it looks gorgeous in photos. I feel like this palette doesn't get the respect it deserves because no one is talking about it, but they should. It is a great product!
The Sephora Collection Illuminate Palette retails for $28
7. Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter Palette in Rose Glow
The last palette I want to mention today is a recent find that I have fallen in love with. I mostly only like this one for the pearl shade as the other two cannot really work for fair skin, but you can mix them together with the lightest shade to make them work. They also make great eye-shadows too!
I love how creamy these powders are. The littlest amount packs the biggest punch as they are super intense. My favorite part about them is how smooth they lay on the skin without picking up on texture or looking too chunky. It isn't the most natural of highlights because, trust me, people will know you are wearing highlight. That doesn't really bother me, but I know it bothers other people, so just be aware. Plus, the holographic beams version of this palette is also really pretty and works on fair skin...it just doesn't look natural at all since it will look like you have pink and purple cheeks. Overall, I think you should all check this one out!
The Milani Stellar Lights Highlighter Paletteretails for $13
Have you found any highlighters that work for very fair skin? Let me know in the comments down below! I'd love to make a new discovery.
Have a wonderful day!
Stina :)