The Easy Way To Apply Liquid Illuminator

Why do some women always seem to look so radiant, even with very little makeup? Easy. They’re using the right products. You don’t need a plethora of beauty tricks and tools to brighten up your tired face, all you need is a little liquid illuminator magic…and maybe some lip gloss!

Here’s how to work liquid illuminator and get your glow on…

Choosing a liquid illuminator

For a light, ever so subtle sheen and glow, you really can’t go past the cult liquid illuminator NARS Illuminator in Orgasm ($47, mecca.com.au) or for a more fresh and dewy look, Benefit’s Girl Meets Pearl is a real hit (and Glosscar winner too!) – it’s also super-easy to use because it comes in a nifty applicator tube that lets you twist to receive just the right amount of liquid. We love it when beauty and gadgets come together!

When it comes to which shade of illuminator you should be using, make-up artist Tobi Henney says "Bronze and gold highlighters look fantastic on tanned, olive skin types, whereas I would do a pretty soft pink highlighter for those with fairer skin."

5 other illuminators we love:

best-liquid-illuminators

When to apply

For a noticeable glow, it’s ideal to apply liquid illuminator over the top of your foundation, however some women prefer to use it underneath for a much more subtle look. Makeup artist, Rae Morris says, “If you’ve got quite good or unlined skin, use a luminising primer all over to give you that glow straight away. If you don’t have the most amazing skin, then an illuminating primer will enhance lines and blemishes, so it’s best to use the foundation that you love and highlight certain areas [afterwards]."

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Application

To apply a liquid illuminator, simply transfer a small amount of the liquid to your fingertip and crack a smile, to find your cheek-line.
Now gently dab the illuminator along the top of your cheekbone.
To freshen up your glow you can add a little extra on the top of the apples of your cheeks, just under your eyes. Swiping a very small amount down the bridge of your nose will also help to slim and define your face.
Finally, use a clean finger to gently blend the illuminator into your skin so that it just leaves behind a faint sheen and voila!

Do you like wearing liquid illuminator? What's your best tip for glowing skin?

170 Member Comments

Ameena0805 29 Aug 2020 8:55 PM

liquid highlighters give a natural look as the blend well to the skin, whereas for me i find that powder higlighters pop more which i love!

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Lucy16 22 Nov 2018 4:20 PM

I’ve never used liquid illuminator.

Time to try it me thinks!

millie-rosexo 4 Nov 2018 7:24 AM

i’ve had liquid glow drops for a little but now and still haven’t tried them, i need to now

hthorpe 19 Jun 2018 3:51 PM

Love a glowy skin look!

Eyeream 11 Feb 2018 3:09 PM

I love this look

Sweety7 9 Oct 2017 2:44 PM

I prefer powder over liquid highlighters. I feel liquid highlighters work better when mixed with foundation for a dewy look.

Elunia 24 Sep 2017 12:14 PM

I am currently using a powder one, maybe I should try a liquid one but only after I have finished the powder. I don't want to have too many items out at once!

blackkittykat 14 Sep 2017 9:14 PM

I love using Benefit's high beam liquid illuminator just to highlight my cheek bones, eyes an cupid's bow.

ThisIsMe 14 Sep 2017 11:10 AM

I've never used a liquid illuminator. see it on some people and looks great but I have quite a skinny face and dominant cheekbones I don't want to enhance them and look skinnier LOL!

Petal 14 Sep 2017 12:30 AM

I tried the e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip and INIKA Light Reflect Highlighting Crème. I used the tiniest dot of illuminator on my cheeks, and that was enough for my mature skin. I tried a pressed cream illuminator by BECCA and it accentuated every enlarged pore on my cheeks - it looked terrible in my makeup mirror.

Temporary Princess 13 Sep 2017 9:15 PM

Liquid illuminator takes a bit of extra work, but it's so worth it!

ray_jay 12 Sep 2017 8:20 PM

Also their is liquid and powder don't forget!

ray_jay 12 Sep 2017 8:19 PM

I love illumination for the right style time and base. I will only use it when I'm using matte foundations etc. I so need some of these. You can really find cheap affordable ones that work just as well.

Trish_D 12 Sep 2017 4:19 PM

I'll show my age AGAIN and stick with my Bobbi Brown powder blush which is perfect for me and I'm not likely to make a ghastly mess, which I suspect I could with liquid illuminator.

Vivian007 12 Sep 2017 12:37 PM

As someone with oily skin, I never understood the allure of liquid illuminators. Now that I'm a bit older and my skin has become a bit less oily and even dry in some parts, I really appreciate the beauty of glowing skin. I have been loving Benefit High Beam over the top of my foundation. It blends out beautifully with a wet sponge and gives me a lovely subtle glow that is visible even under a light dusting of translucent powder. Makes for a great "no makeup" makeup look!

Yohanna 12 Sep 2017 12:18 PM

Love illuminators/highlighters!! Have NBNature stick one (love) and Luma in cream. Did not use liquid ones yet. When I waste these ones, will try

ray_jay 12 Sep 2017 8:17 PM

Omg I must try the nude by nature one. Looks so good.

Yohanna 13 Sep 2017 7:46 PM

Oh it does! Touch of glow in a stick form that I bought is more than just "touch of glow". It gives such an amazing highlight, and can be toned down or really put out there. Plus ingredients are fab and the colour...beautiful (I have champagne one). May swatch the liquid one, but still prefer stick

clearcrystalwater 12 Sep 2017 10:08 AM

I like the way it enlivens up the face!

thelifeoflaura 12 Sep 2017 6:25 AM

I was always a little scared of liquid highlighters, but I am actually really enjoying them at them moment!!

bebeautiful34 11 Sep 2017 9:06 PM

I love liquid illuminators as I think they look more natural than powder. I use it sparingly though as a little too much enhances flaws

jatz 11 Sep 2017 8:59 PM

I've never tried the above ones but I do use them. I think I started using them after seeing a BH article many years ago and not looked back. I do use a liquid one with a soft brush to put it on.

darasparkle 11 Sep 2017 8:20 PM

I've never been an illuminator fan but gosh darnit the lady that did my makeup at Mecca made me a convert! She did it is so perfectly and beautifully.

Obvi...I'll never be able to replicate it again though haha

FaceAttire 11 Sep 2017 6:20 PM

Please make on of these for cream illuminators! Every time I use a cream stick it seems to make my skin look really patchy :(

Miss19 11 Sep 2017 4:40 PM

I dab it in as rubbing it in will ruin your foundation

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