July 28, 2016

You’re Not Doing Highlighter Wrong, You Just Need 100 Layers To Do It Right

Ok, so, I’m not expert at highlighter application. As you know I’m pretty heavy handed with blush! So, you can imagine I’m the same with highlighter. Typically highlighters have always played one important role in my makeup stash and that would be to stay safely in my makeup vault, only to be taken out on rare occasions to look at and stroke lovingly. I have a lot of pretty highlighters that have had absolutely no air time. They just sit around looking pretty, never to be used or worn. In recent years, I actually stopped buying them because I realized how wasteful I was being just collecting them.

I’m also quite scared of highlighting since I have a fuller face and I feel like adding a lot of glow to my cheeks and face makes my rounder face look even more fuller. Recently, I tried out the new Becca Champagne Split Duos and I struggled with them a little due to my heavy handedness but successfully created some very pretty, glowy looks with them.

But the fact of the matter is, I typically rely on shimmery blushes to achieve the effect a highlighter would give me.

Now, over the last year Instagram has become a major player and important role in the beauty and makeup world. You either really love Instagram or you’re an old fart like me and prefer reading blogs like a dinosaur. I understand the appeal of Instagram but I also prefer reading something that doesn’t contain 200 characters and a single photo with a ton of emojis. A longer post, lots of pics and swatches, and thoughts on a product sans 100 smileys and hashtags is a better option for me. But it really depends what type of person you are and what your preferences are when getting your makeup reviews and beauty news.

One of the things that amazes me about Instagram is how perfect everyone always looks in selfies. I take a selfie and I look like the biggest dork on the planet. And I’m cool with that because if nothing at all I’m a dork. But I do sit back and wonder how people look so incredibly flawless in their photos and most importantly how they get their highlighters to sparkle and shimmer so perfectly. Is it excellent lighting? A filter? Some extra camera add on?

None of the above.

Apparently, you need 100 layers of to get that gorgeous glow you see on Instagram.

Associate editor Julianne Carell from Glamour achieved that flawless glow by applying 100, yes 100, layers of Jaclyn Hill’s new Champagne Pop Split Duo. I know for a fact when I applied the duos with a heavy hand and looked in the mirror I positively glowed. Another words, if the lights go out tonight, I’ll glow. Honestly, if the zombie apocalypse hits tomorrow just make sure you have highlighter available and layer it on heavily. No matches needed, no generator, your highlighter will guide the way in the dark. I’m not saying it’ll replace fire to grill up squirrel but at least it’ll make for a fine reading light when the dead walk the earth.

Now, Juianne’s video made me feel good about something. That would be the fact that I felt like I couldn’t quite capture the glow on my cheeks that I’ve seen on Instagram. Now I realize that people have been packing on layers and layers of highlighter to get those uber flawless photos. But honestly, she reminded me that I’m likely not doing my highlighter wrong, I just need 100 layers to do it right.

Her video appears to be shot on an iPhone and isn’t the best quality but you can see very well from first to last application the dramatic change in finish.

It’s interesting to say the least.

Moral of the story?

I’m not planning on applying 100 layers of highlighter anytime soon! But don’t get caught up in the flawlessness of Instagram because sometimes it can be as misleading as ads you see in a magazine 🙂

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • blee

    I would not apply 100 layers either and this old fart says she’s glad you like old fart ways like on your blog. Andy I love you picture – too cute!

  • Courtney

    I’m with you. Blogs all the way. Instagram is wonderful in many ways, as it’s easy and fast . But with the popularity of filters, it’s hard to really see an accurate swatch of what the makeup actually looks like in real life . Biggest offender I can think of at the moment is when I came across Maybellines IG. The women they post on there are filtered up the ying yang!!! It’s like come on , get real, aint nobody got time for that overly filtered “perfect and poreless” skin.

    • Isabella Muse

      I like insta because it is fast but if I really want an accurate review/swatch I turn to blogs. Typically insta-swatches aren’t quite spot on! You think!? I felt like Maybelline posts some rather crummy instagram pics lol!

  • Nikole

    Hey Muse! I just wanted to say that there are a few of us who like and use BOTH beauty blogs and Instagram. I follow all of the beauty bloggers that I subscribe to on Instagram as well as their regular blog posts. That being said, I enjoy the verbiage of blog posts MORE than Instagram.
    As far as highlighters go, I need to get off my lazy duff and start applying highlighters daily. I probably don’t have quite as many as you, but I have plenty including the cool toned set from ABH (Moonchild, just couldn’t resist) – need to start actually using them!

    • Isabella Muse

      Likewise! I follow insta and beauty blogs but I like blogs best! 😀 I need to really use mine too! They just sit around looking pretty!

  • Jay

    Don’t worry, Im notoriously unphotogenic so my selfie game is very limited 🙂 I also feel kind of lame posting & hashtagging myself all over the interwebs lol. In those IG makeup pics just think of how all that makeup looks in real life! And your selfie look great! It’s nice to see your face 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      likewise on all accounts Jay! I’m not photogenic at all, I also feel dorky hastagging myself to death, plus I feel like no one wants to see me mugging for the camera haha! Aw thanks! <3!

  • Kimmwc03

    I know what you mean about not being able to make my highlighter show up on Instagram. I never use apps like FaceTune or anything on my photos. I’m also not going to waste all my highlighter to do one of these crazy challenges. 🙂

  • Emily

    Just have to say how much I love your blog, and I look forward to reading it daily. Instagram has its place, but your blog posts are so much more fun and informative. And you always look beautiful in your selfies!

    • Isabella Muse

      AWWWWWWWWW EMILY! Stop I’m going to cry! <3!!! xoxoxo!

  • Maria

    Muse this video made me laugh so hard. I cannot sit that long for 100 layers. I do not want to look like a disco ball. I like Laura Geller highlighter and for $7 you can get Rimmel Kate Moss sculpting kit with blush, contour and highlighter which is very pretty and I have nice looking glow. I have the coral color.

    • Isabella Muse

      Haha me either! I’d be like, “Imma need a break my arm is tired!” lol!

  • Kathy Agel

    I use Instagram to follow the QVC hosts, equestrians, and a ton of dog accounts (mostly Bassets, Yorkies, Jack Russells, and pitties). I post photos of our garden, our dogs, (mostly the two Bassets) and food. If I’m looking for reviews, IG is the last place I go.

  • Lisa

    I look to your blog mostly because so many other bloggers also have a You Tube Channel and just link to their videos- LAZY!!!! Thanks for taking the time to provide useful details and info about WHAT makes a product good or not good for you instead of just saying: “You will love this!, It’s everything!, Just go buy it!”

    Thank you!!!

  • Maria

    Muse. I agree with Lisa above. You are very detailed with your product info. I also like the picture of you above without makeup. You look great!

  • kjh

    Prefer blogs like you, Christine, vintage or tacky….despite she loves everything and is hardly critical. I’m info driven, looking for honest opinions. Then, it’s off to ingredient check on cosdna or Paula. IG can be interesting, but I would never post. It’s social, and I’m basically not. I like sharing and opinion, not shameless self promo. I find fb to be institutionalized narcissism. And I like to read, so prefer blogs to YT as well. Born again Luddite. Must admit that I st binge watch YT m/u videos to howl at the nose highlights that look like oncoming trains at midnight, and to marvel at characters like Bunny, Tarababyz, etc. or learn St from Wayne. T has more makeup than bloomingdale’s and buys it herself. Wayne at times lauds some gawdawful shit, but his brushes are phenomenal. Then there’s JS, aka mr. controversy, or Ms mean girl. Gotta go check and see if you reviewed beautykiller.

  • Zovesta

    “Honestly, if the zombie apocalypse hits tomorrow just make sure you have highlighter available and layer it on heavily. No matches needed, no generator, your highlighter will guide the way in the dark.” Lmao!
    Blogs all the way for me. I like every detail! And I struggle with highlighter, too. =( Not sure if I’ll apply 100 layers or not tho…

  • celine D

    Muse I also agree w/ Maria and Lisa ! You’re blog is the best one out there a far as Im concerned. You have not steered me wrong yet on any product I have bought through you’re recommendations. Also love the detailed product info too. Plus you’re photos without makeup are adorable! You look like a kid ! I too have way too many highlighters that don’t get
    “air time “. Yet I continue to purchase more . Im currently on the fence about the new
    Anastasia Moonchild.??? I want it but I know I’ll just end up looking at it every now and then or maybe use it just once or twice before I move onto something else . LOL!

    Keep up the good work !

    • Isabella Muse

      awwww thanks Celine that’s very very kind <3! ha! I wish I was a kid 😀 <3! I wanted it too but I talked myself out of it because I know I'll never use it! But believe me the lemming is hard haha! Thank you for the lovely comment it made my day!

  • CatG

    Yikes! I’m really glad I read this post, it makes me feel better too haha! I tend to use a light hand when applying highlighters but sometimes I wish I could just GO FOR IT so people really see the glow (in person)!! In photos, all my makeup looks really muted but I guess that’s normal.

    • Isabella Muse

      likewise! You can never see my glow in photos so great! I’m really light with highlighter! Maybe I need to just GO for it 😀