Makeup · Face
Highlighter
Doctor review pending
Adds light to the high points of the face.
At a glance
- How long to wearMost of the day
- When to removeEvery night, with your makeup
- After openingAbout 12–24 months (powder)
- Patch testOnly if allergic to carmine
Choosing it for deep skin
- Gold, bronze, copper and rose-gold look natural on deep skin. Icy white or silver can look grey.
- Fine shimmer looks better than chunky glitter. Under flash, a little goes a long way.
- Many highlighters contain carmine (CI 75470). Check the label if you are allergic.
How to apply
- Choose the high pointsTops of the cheekbones, brow bone and the dip above the lip.
- Use a small amountTap a little onto a brush or fingertip.
- Press, then blendPress it on and blend the edges softly.
- Skip textured areasAvoid oily or spotty areas; shimmer makes texture show.
How long to wear it
- It lasts most of the day; it can look greasy in heat. Blot gently.
- Remove it every night with your makeup.
Don’t use it if
- Near your eyes if you wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes.
- On broken skin, active acne or an eczema flare.
- If you are allergic to carmine and it is on the label.
Safety and the evidence
Many highlighters contain carmine (CI 75470), which can cause allergic rashes.
Evidence C — case reports · Case report — carmine allergy from blush
Keep glitter (for example calcium sodium borosilicate) away from your eyes, especially with contact lenses.
Evidence D — expert opinion
Natural mica can carry child-labour risk; synthetic fluorphlogopite avoids it.
Evidence C — NGO report · SOMO 2018 — global mica mining
Evidence grades: A systematic reviews or several trials; B at least one trial or consistent controlled studies; C observational studies, surveys or case reports; D expert opinion.
Keep it clean
- Wash the brush weekly. Do not share.
- Keep cream and liquid highlighters out of heat; they keep about 6–12 months.
Important
See a doctor if
- See a doctor or pharmacist for a rash that does not settle after stopping.
- If glitter gets in your eye, rinse with clean water. Go to an eye clinic or emergency the same day for eye pain, a change in vision or new sensitivity to light.
Emergency in Nigeria: call 112 or go to the nearest hospital.
Sources
Doctor review pending. Education only, not a diagnosis. Product types, not brands.