courtney shields

Life
05.14.14

summer beauty essentials : highlighters

photo-10

Happy Wednesday! I’m back with another Summer Beauty Essentials post. Today, we are talking all about highlighters! You know, the shimmery, magical fairy-dust cheekbone accents that bring all the boys to the yard? In the winter, it’s about bringing life back into the skin (as I talked about here), but in the summer, it’s all about achieving the perfect bronzy/golden glow. That sun kissed, glow from within look. I’ve separated them into two categories – powder and liquid, so there’s something for every skin type and color.

1. Becca – Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal

Oh. My. Gahhhhh. This honestly deserves a post of it’s own. I have heard a lot of great things about this highlighter and when I got it I half expected to be disappointed because of all the hype, but I was definitely not. Opal is a beautiful finely milled golden highlighter with a really pretty sheen to it. This is #1 on my summer powder highlight list at the moment! Order this now and thank me later. opal DSC01868

 2. Bobbi Brown – Brightening Finishing Powder in Bronze Glow

This is actually a brightening finishing powder, not a highlighter, but I wanted to put it in this post because it falls under the bronzy glow category. I got this last week and have worn it everyday that I’ve worn makeup because it’s so gorgeous! If you have a similar skin tone to me, you will love this. I’m not usually a fan of powder but this is not your typical powder – it lightly sets the makeup and gives your whole face a subtle glow. If you’re lighter than me, Bobbi Brown makes this brightening powder in Porcelain Pearl and Bright Finish. DSC01868

3. Dior – Amber Diamond

This is a beautiful array of warm golden/bronze shades that look so natural on the skin. You can use the colors separately or swirl your brush around and use them all together. This is a highlighter that will give you that glow from within without being too much. If you want to ease your way into the wonderful world of highlighters but don’t want to over do it, this would be great for you! _5539007

4. Nars – Illuminator in Copacabana

If you have very dry skin, the liquid-luminizes are a great option for you. Copacabana by Nars is a really pretty light reflecting liquid highlighter that has a beautiful pink pearlescent sheen to it. A little bit really goes a long way with this product! _6337388

5. Josie Maran – Argan Liquid Illuminizer

I can’t say enough good things about this product. This stuff is honestly liquid gold. It is absolutely beautiful! I talked all about it here – why I love it, how to apply it etc. Hint, hint… you can apply it two different ways :). s1308196-main-hero Everyone has different skin types, wants and needs, so If you aren’t sure which one of these beauties is best for you, please feel free to leave a comment asking any questions and I’m happy to help you decide! What are your favorite summer highlighters? xo, Court

xo, Courtney
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  • Love this post! I'm really not that great at makeup so I hope you teach me along the way! Do you use the highlighter after all your makeup is on? The liquid illuminizer looks great would that go under your makeup? Thanks! McKenna www.stylewaltz.com
    Reply
    • Hey McKenna! So glad you liked it :) When you use highlighters depends - If you use a powder one then use it at the end of doing your makeup and if you use a liquid one you can do it two ways (I talked more in detail about this in my post about the Josie Maran Illuminizer that I linked above) 1. Mix a drop in with your foundation for an all over glow. 2. Put it on the tops of your cheek bones after your foundation! As a general rule you want to do all liquid products - foundation, concealer and liquid highlighter before you put any powder on your face. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  • Hey Courtney! I want to try the Bobbi Brown one you are raving about above....so would you still use the Nars Albatross around the under eye part (that we've talked about) to give a shimmer to the sides/corners, or does this override all? Do you use this on all of your face? Also-I have a mac liquid foundation, that I really enjoy. However, I've noticed due to just my face and the makeup, my face looks oily. I have tried other foundations, but really just seem to be attracted to this one. Do you have a powder you'd recommend to put on over my foundation that would calm the oiliness? Please let me know! And let me know when I would put that on....right after foundation and before bronzing, etc or after everything? Xo Sabrina
    Reply
    • Hey Sabs! Yes, you would definitely still use Albatross! The bobbi brown is just a setting powder, you light (because it is tan) dust it on your face and it sets the makeup without making you look matte. As far as the foundation goes - Do you have oily skin normally or do you think it's more the foundation? I have a few foundations that I absolutely love and am happy to recommend once I know your skin type. If you want to stick with the foundation, I would use a translucent setting powder. It won't add any additional color but it'll mattify your foundation and help keep your from getting oily! I like Mac, Laura Mercier and Nars :)
      Reply
      • Thanks for the advice. I do naturally have kinda oily skin but not TOO bad, but the foundation does add an oily glow (especially on the T zone)....I have tried at least 4 different foundations and they look amazing in person, then I take a picture with flash and look like a ghost...this has been with different company foundations, some with spf, some without, and I just can't win. The MAC one I am using now although it makes me look oily, does photograph well, so now I just want to eliminate the oil portion :) Thanks! Sabrina
        Reply
        • Hmm the flashback should only happen with sunscreen! Does your face lotion have sunscreen maybe? If you want no flashback - I would try Makeup forever HD foundation. It photographs beautifully. I would also recommend trying a primer!
          Reply
  • Great post. #4 NARS is my go to all day everyday! You should post a Youtube vid on how you apply these products. I would def. watch it :) Stay Styled, Lindsey http://staystyledoc.com/
    Reply
    • haha ya it's a goodie for sure :) Thanks girl! I've actually have been wanting to do a video! Thanks for the request!
      Reply
  • Love that shade of Dior eyeshadow!! I'm a big fan of neutral colors. xo www.asplashofglam.com
    Reply