Metallic highlighters? So last season. Just when we thought we owned literally every kind of highlighter available on the market, pastel highlighters have popped up to change the game. What we love about these cotton candy-hued glow-givers: they impart a soft iridescence that’s a tad more subtle compared to the blinged-out finish of gold and silver highlighters.
Pro tip: If your complexion is looking duller than you’d like, keep a mascaraed eye out for pastel highlighters in shades of lavender, violet and blue. These cool hues offer additional brightening benefits, thanks to their colour-correcting properties. Here are some of the latest launches to look out for. #HappyShopping!
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The duochrome pigments in this lilac highlighter shift and shimmer under different lighting conditions to leave an ethereal-looking sheen on the skin; bonus points for the unique creamy powder formula that’s a breeze to apply. It’s truly flattering on every complexion, and gives dull and tired-looking skin a boost in radiance. Our fave way to wear it for an otherworldly glow: Sweep it on in an upwards C-shape that extends from our cheekbones to our brow bones.
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This palette boasts four versatile holographic hues in one universally-flattering palette: pale green, baby pink, ice blue and lavender. Use the ice blue and lavender to add luminosity to tired-looking skin; or go for the green and pink shades to mimic that ‘mermaid’ glow you’ve been seeing all over Instagram.
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Perfect if you’re going for a sparkly go-big-or-go-home party look: the shimmer particles in this icy cool pink shade are on the chunkier side for maximum impact. This one’s great for lighter skin tones, and its creamy formula is super buildable; we love how it melts into skin without emphasising pores. Pat in the formula with your fingers for a sexy sheen that can be seen from across the dancefloor.
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If you’re after a dewy sheen, this nifty shimmer stick delivers. Packed with fine shimmer particles, this silvery pink highlighter complements most skin tones. Plus, we love how easy it is to touch-up on the go: just swipe it on the high points of your face and pat to blend with a clean finger.
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Besides its Instagram-worthy packaging, this limited-edition rainbow highlighter actually gives you more bang for your buck. Why? You can swirl a powder brush all over the palette for a pinkish gold highlight, or use the individual pastel hues on their own. If you’re swirling all four shades together, angle your brush to the left side of the palette for a warmer hue (great for deeper complexions) and more to the right side for a cooler shade (flattering on lighter skin tones).
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Not for the faint of heart. This icy blue holographic highlighter with violet and blue glitter is Elsa-level sparkly, but we’re all for it. When paired with a neutral blush and applied with a light hand, it’s surprisingly flattering on most skin tones; we love how its otherworldly sheen instantly boosts our skin’s radiance. If you want a more OTT look, mist a small powder brush with setting spray and use the damp bristles to pick up and apply the product.
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Don’t be intimidated by this frosty lavender holographic highlighter: it looks crazy sparkly in the pan, but imparts a subtle lavender sheen that’s universally flattering when applied on the skin. You can build up its powdery formula for a more intense finish if you wish; the product doesn’t turn patchy and its silky texture doesn’t settle into pores. Best applied with a tapered powder brush.
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The cool powdery hues in this palette lean more towards the frosty side (the palette is inspired by snow crystals, after all), making it a better fit for paler complexions. We’d recommend pairing the baby blue and lilac hues with a cool-toned neutral blush. Conversely, the pale pink and mauve hues will look better with rosier blush shades, so experiment away!
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Use this iridescent pale blue highlighter to brighten up dark circles and the inner corners of your eyes. Just apply three to four dots on the areas you want to brighten, and blend out with a brush. Of course, you can also apply it on areas where the light hits for a fresh-faced glow: think cheekbones, the bridge of your nose and your cupid’s bow.
Launching June 22, 2017, exclusively at Urban Decay freestanding stores.
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This is a creamy champagne-pink skin enhancer that will imbue your complexion with that coveted lit-from-within glow. It’s versatile, too, being subtle enough for daytime use yet buildable for glam evening soirees. The only caveat: this formula dries down within a couple of seconds, so blend it out immediately with a brush or a damp sponge.
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