Luminizers, otherwise known as highlighters, are a huge staple in make up artists’ beauty bags, but they’re often looked over when it comes to everyday beauty routines -- which is unfortunate, because they can be one of the greatest multitaskers in your beauty arsenal! They're a subtle, shimmery product found in a multitude of forms -- powder, gel, cream, and liquid -- and work to highlight and accentuate the areas of your face that are naturally hit by light. 

If you’re afraid of too much sparkle, don’t worry: a good luminizer only gives you a subtle, wearable sheen or shimmer (rather than, say, dousing your cheeks in glitter). But in order to take full advantage of your luminizer, you’ll want to get a good grasp on where to apply it on your face for a fresh, dewy glow. To help you get started, here’s a brief guide to where the luminizer should go:

CHEEKS

Using your fingertips, dab the luminizer in a v-shape from your browbone to the highest point of your cheekbones. If it’s a liquid luminizer, use the product sparingly -- you’ll only need 3-4 small dots of product along your cheekbones to achieve a subtle glow. (Follow up with your favorite bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks for a little bit of cheekbone-contouring!)

 

Perfect glowy skin, I need to work on achieving this look myself! Check my blog (➡ link in bio) for more glowy skin inspiration. 🌟 #notme #inspiration

A photo posted by ROWAN REIDING 👌 (@redreidinghood) on Mar 17, 2015 at 2:15am PDT

NOSE

To draw attention to the angles of your face (and even visually slim down some of your features), dab a little luminizer down the center of your nose. 

EYES

Whether you’ve got a natural eye look or full-on smokey eye, you can always benefit from a small dab of luminizer in the inner corners of your eyes and along your browbone to wake up your makeup look. 

LIPS

A tiny dab of luminizer on your cupid’s bow (the small space at the center of your upper lip) draws attention to your lips. 

FOUNDATION & MOISTURIZER

If you’re looking for an shimmery boost to your look, put a small (not too much!) bit of luminizer into your foundation or moisturizer before you apply it to your face for a subtle overall glow. 

 

A photo posted by General Wong (@arinarong) on Mar 25, 2015 at 10:54pm PDT

COLLARBONES, ARMS, & LEGS

Once you’ve mastered luminizer for your face, it doesn’t have to stop there! Luminizer is a great way to highlight the high points of your collarbones, shoulders, arms, and legs if you’re showing a bit of skin. 

Ready to incorporate a luminizer into your beauty routine? Check out Influenster Nation’s favorite luminizers here!

Do you have a favorite way to use luminizers/highlighters? Let us know in the comments below!