![Best Best](http://www.itsmilkandhoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_2580.jpg)
Once upon a time, we just swiped some blush and bronzer on our faces and called it. Now there's —a whole lot of it—and finding your perfect highlighting powder, strobe cream, or glow stick is a little like Goldilocks testing out porridge. It all can feel a bit too too: too extra, too basic, too.
![Best Best](http://s2.r29static.com/bin/entry/2f7/x/1645779/image.gif)
Best Makeup Highlighters For Darker Skin Tones. Shades on our complexions — regardless of our undertones! — and they make up a majority of the formulas in the highlighter. Best Highlighters For black and dark skin - how to apply highlighter for dark skin tones The world of highlighters is hard to navigate, especially for women of colour. Funmi Fetto investigates.
That's where we come in. We tested every single highlighter that's come across our desks and narrowed down a list of our current favorites. Some are subtle, others can't be missed, and—yes—a handful will give you the mythical glow of a horse with a horn. Whatever your taste or skin tone, we bet you'll love the they give you just as much. The color: Topez (left): a golden tan. Quartz (right): an iridescent pearl.
Who it works for: Low-maintenance girls who love a good multitasking product. Go for the gold if your skin is medium to dark. Choose the pearl if you're fair. Why we love it: There might be real crystals in the formula, but this highlighter isn't the teeniest bit sparkly. Featuring a core of coconut and castor seed oil, all you get is a subtle glow when you swipe it on, plus, a boost of hydration for dull, tired-looking skin.
The colors: A mix of icy-cool lavender, blue, silver, and white shades Who it works for: Since the palette is primarily made up of cool colors, it'll play nicely if you've got cool or neutral skin undertones. (.) Why we love it: Two words: purple highlighter! While this is definitely not your typical shade to strobe with, we dig it for the sole purpose of being different.
If you're wary, dust a light coating at the outside edge of your brow bone and at the inner corner of your eyes. Even a pop of it will give you an otherworldly glow.
Felicia Walker Benson has been blogging since 2006, pouring her heart and soul into her passion for beauty. Walker Benson, who serves as e ditor in chief for top-rated beauty blog, is a highly sought-after authority in the industry. She has appeared on TV programs like t he Today show and in beauty publications such as Allure, Ebony, and Marie Claire. Each month, Walker Benson gives Byrdie readers tips and recommendations on the best in hair and beauty for women of color. If it’s happening in beauty, Felicia is on it—with red lips in tow! Photo: Imaxtree Every girl wants the glow.
You know, that ethereal model-off-duty light that bounces off skin. For women with darker skin tones (.raises hand.), the key to achieving the perfect glow is picking a highlighter shade that brilliantly boosts the complexion without creating a stark, unnatural contrast. For olive, dark, and deep skin tones, it’s important to choose shades that skew a bit warmer. Avoid cool, icy tones. Instead, think sheer gold, peachy gold, pale bronze, and rosy gold.
Once you’ve nailed down your perfect shade (practice makes perfect), choose the formula that best complements your skin. Most highlighters and illuminators come in three textures: liquid, cream, and powder. Liquid and cream illuminators work best over wet products like liquid foundation or a creamy concealer. Powder illuminators are great as a finishing touch, or as an added hint of sparkle over a liquid or cream base. Powder also works well when applied over powder foundation or bronzer, particularly in summer, when we tend to avoid liquid foundations. If you’re a highlighting newbie, creams and liquids are easiest to maneuver because they’re typically very sheer and spread easily if you start out a little too heavy-handed.
And because there’s a fine line between highlighting and disco-balling, proper product placement is crucial. When applying, resist the urge to overdo the shine. Instead, strategically add soft touches only to the areas you want to pop: the top of the cheekbones, brow bone, forehead, Cupid’s bow, center of nose, and maybe a dab to the center of the chin. Read some of my favorite illuminators for darker skin tones.