March 28, 2017

Is Your Highlighter Clinging To Your Skin and Looking Powdery?

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I think the worst thing about highlighter is the fact it can cling to skin horribly and look all powdery and cakey. Anyone have this problem? I swear you can have the smoothest, softest skin ever but you’ll still suffer issues where highlighter just clings to your skin and accentuates pores or dryness.

I have dry skin and prep myself to death so I can get the most natural, smoothest finish possible. And you can totally do the same prior to apply highlighter but it doesn’t matter! It still looks crazy clingy.

Anyone have this problem?

Here’s a solution you might already know about but it’s worth mentioning again!

I think I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that my highlighter is never, ever, ever, never, ever, ever, ever going to look like NikkieTutorials. She like glows from the inside or something! It’s just perfect. I simply don’t have the skillz or the know how to look like this when I apply highlighter.

Solution?

Mist, mist, mist.

I’ll be the first person to try to NOT sell you on setting sprays. I don’t really use them. I always feel I’m ruining my makeup when I use them. Rather than setting I feel like I’m smearing! Anyone feel like that?

Do yourself a favor and find one that has a super fine mist versus one that will drench your skin in moisture it doesn’t need. The finer the mist the better the results. Not to mention using setting spray is essential if you want a smoother less clingy highlighter finish. If you’re highlighter is clinging to drier skin or just looks like it’s sitting cakey-like on top of your skin I highly recommend applying it, misting yourself with a good setting spray, and you’ll be good to go!

Try Urban Decay De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray even if you have dry skin this has a super fine mist formula that leaves makeup looking smooth and soft without leaving skin drenched in a wet layer of setting spray!

So, the next time you feel like your highlighter isn’t looking as perfect as you wish for, do mist yourself madly and you’ll see how much better your highlighter will look!

How do you get your highlighter looking picture perfect?

Do share your tips, tricks, and application methods!

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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

  • Agona

    I actually prefer hydrating sprays to setting sprays. The AmorePacific one is nice (smells like green tea). I bought the LaMer one at an airport (because I didn’t have a mist on hand and my face was super dry from traveling) and it’s good too but it tastes like rose (rosemary?) and I’m not a big fan.

    I tried a sample of the UD Longwear setting spray once and was super impressed how it turned my bareMinerals foundation into what looked like heavy coverage liquid foundation.

    • Isabella Muse

      I use hydrating sprays A LOT but as part of skincare routine not my makeup one 😀 I didn’t like the weird smell of La Mer’s mist for me, was a little too herbal!

  • Sheree

    I have oily skin, and I prefer the UD All-Nighter. The De-Slick just doesn’t do it for me.

  • Jay

    Thanks for the tip Muse. And don’t worry I don’t think anyone that doesn’t video filter and photshop themselves to death with ever have that instagram/youtube “guru” glow, so you are not alone 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      thank GOD lol! I always feel terribly alone in my highlighter unfleekiness! 😀

    • Isa

      Yeah, I agree that it’s mainly camera and lighting tricks that are making the extreme highlighter thing work on those Gurus. They kind of blur and blend everything together so that it looks seemless. IRL, I bet it looks strange at best.

      • Isabella Muse

        someone show me the jedi techniques of blending to look THAT seamless!? 😀

  • Lacy

    I recently joined beauty heroes subscription, love by the way. And discovered Maya chia the supercouple oil, so I checked out what else the brand has to offer and I’m so glad I did. They have a highlight of the day serum, 2 shades a pink – happy hour or gold – golden hour I got the pink and slather it all over my face before foundation or mix with foundation and I look amazeballs, lit from within, ethereal, its breath taking, and its all natural and great for your skin. I highly urge you and everyone else to check it out!!!

  • Stephanie

    Is it only me that won’t get on the highlighting bandwagon? Don’t get me wrong, I think it looks pretty, but I honestly don’t like it all that much. Sorry to those who do!

    I don’t like setting sprays all that much either for the same reason as you Muse! I feel like it does smear your makeup rather than help it stay. I still use it, but I forget to sometimes and I’m usually ok with that.

    • Isabella Muse

      No, you aren’t alone, I rarely use highlighter! It’s just too overdone for me! LIKEWISE! I use them rarely!

  • breyerchic04

    What brush do you use to highlight with though, I used the ipsy version (from YEARS AGO) of the MAC 123 and omg, it’s sent from heaven. Obviously yes misted too, but that sort of brush helps.

  • Gina

    Well girls call me crazy— but I mist my trust before applying my highlight! To me it just makes the highlight prettier! And yes, I’m all about that glow – however I don’t like a powdery finish. I have to use setting sprays, as well as setting powder because of my ignorantly oily skin (T-zone mostly) because if I don’t, I’ll be a hot mess in a mere matter of a few hours. I’ve got a whole process and game plan down now thanks to Nikkia Joy – and the right products. I can literally wear my makeup 12 hours and never have to touch it. We’ll have to completely re-do for summer tho. #oilyskingirlproblems EEEKS….

    • Isabella Muse

      I apply facial mist before any skincare but not setting mist before makeup ;-D interesting!