Highlighter (luminizer) application - an integral step in the creation of high-quality makeup, which allows you to give the skin a glow. For this process, it is necessary to use special brushes that differ in type, shape and material of manufacture. The tool can be purchased at a cosmetics store or from an online seller by looking at the photo and choosing the appropriate option.
Types and features of highlighter brushes
Several types of brushes are used to apply a cosmetic product, but they all have a similar feature - the ability to apply the product in a thin layer.
Universal brush
The universal brush is used to apply makeup with any consistency while traveling.
Its bristles, light or dark, are made from synthetic bristles and have a rounded shape that facilitates easy application of cosmetics.
Fan brush
The highlighter brush (photo shows its fan shape) is used to apply a cosmetic product with a dry structure and blend it. It allows you to form the thinnest and most accurate coating layer. Also, with this tool, you can easily select the protruding parts of the face - the nose, cheekbones, lips and eyebrows. The brush has a fluffy bristle, which is held together by a thin layer in the form of a fan.
Makeup artists prefer to use natural-bristled tools, but synthetic brushes are also available.
The first option is suitable for women who often use a highlighter and can afford to purchase a rather expensive accessory.
Flat brush
A flat brush is used to mask small problem areas. It has a tightly gathered tuft of bristles, which can be rounded or pointed, and have short or elongated bristles. The appearance does not affect the efficiency of using the accessory - the brush is selected according to individual preferences.
It is easy to apply a creamy highlighter with this brush. Makeup artists use this tool to apply a spot of cosmetic to areas that need to be lightened, following a contouring pattern.
Duofiber
Duofiber brush combines natural and synthetic bristles at the same time. It has a rounded bunch, painted in 2 colors.
Due to the delicacy of the pile, the tool is used to apply a thin layer of highlighter and blend it. Makeup artists recommend using this brush for home use.
For powder
A powder brush is often used by makeup artists to apply a highlighter in an even layer. In the photo you can see that it has long, thick, soft, rounded bristles, which allows economical use of cosmetics.
Brushes can have natural or artificial bristles. The choice of a woman depends on individual preferences.
How to choose the right brush, basic criteria
Your choice of brush should be based on the texture of your highlighter. For a dry product, it is better to choose tools with synthetic hair, for a cream one - with natural.
In this case, the brush should fit comfortably in the hand and be pleasant to the touch.
By skin type
The consistency of the highlighter is selected depending on the woman's skin type, and it also affects the choice of a suitable brush:
- for oily skin you should pick up luminizers in dry form (powder or balls) or in the form of a pencil. A fan brush works well. To select the area near the eyes, you can use the shadow brush;
- for normal to dry skin suitable liquid creamy consistency. It does not dry the skin, spreads easily over its surface and contains water, which helps to moisturize. For application, use a universal, flat brush or duofiber;
- for mature skin suitable highlighter creamy texture. Application is best done with a flat, beveled brush or powder tool;
- for combination skin it is better to select several products of different consistencies and apply them with different brushes.
By the material of the villi
A highlighter brush (photos clearly demonstrate the differences in materials) can have natural or synthetic bristles. The quality of make-up depends on the reliability of the tool, so make-up artists pay considerable attention to the choice of accessory.
A pile of natural brushes can be made from the wool of the following animals:
- goat. Such bristles are stiff and fluffy, suitable for applying a dry highlighter and thoroughly shading it;
- columns or protein. These brushes have a very soft bristle so they are comfortable to use. The tools are suitable for applying makeup with a dry texture;
- sable. The pile is soft, which helps to apply the highlighter in translucent strokes, highlighting the cheekbones. The disadvantage of the brush is the high cost. For non-professional use, a similar effect can be obtained with a brush with goat hair;
- ponycon hair. Such a brush is used for the production of flat brushes, they are used to create a dense layer of coverage;
- Fox. This lint is very soft and is suitable for use with a dry highlighter. Doing make-up like this takes more time, but the woman only feels a silky touch.
Manufacturers often combine several types of pile, such as squirrels and ponies, squirrels and goats, to achieve a soft instrument.
Synthetic brushes are made from the following material:
- nylon. Such tools have a dense pile that allows you to evenly apply cream-colored highlighters to the skin;
- taklon. These brushes are softer than nylon, their bristle structure is close to natural hair. They have a long service life and are suitable for applying makeup in a very thin layer;
- tafre. Such a pile is a new development in the beauty industry. It copies natural hair as closely as possible in structure - it has cuticle-like wrinkles on the shaft. This allows you to use these makeup tools with dry highlighters.
Features of brushes are presented in the table:
Evaluation criterion | Synthetic pile | Natural pile |
Benefits |
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disadvantages |
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Skew of the brush
Brushes that have a beveled or tapering bristle are designed to apply the highlighter to the nose and eyebrows.
Brushes with a rounded thick bristle are intended for applying a creamy consistency. They allow you to create an even layer and blend the luminizer over the entire surface of the facial skin.
A pen
When buying, you should pay attention to the brush handle, namely, the following features:
- the pile should be tightly attached to it with a metal sleeve, should not stagger and slide up and down;
- the handle should not bend under pressure;
- the length should be comfortable. To do this, the brush should be taken and held in the hand in the position in which it is planned to apply makeup with it.
The technique of applying a highlighter with a brush, depending on its shape
A highlighter brush (photo demonstrates how to hold and use it correctly) can serve as a tool for various makeup techniques.
Highlighter application features:
- thorough shading. If this is not done, the makeup will look unnatural and look like a stain;
- for a very liquid highlighter, it is better to choose a sponge - it will prevent the product from spreading during the application process;
- the product is applied in accordance with the rules of contouring, otherwise you will get the effect of oily, not radiant skin;
- the effect of radiant skin is best revealed in nude makeup, while makeup artists allow the use of bright accents - "smokey ice" or highlighting lips with red lipstick;
- Highlighters work best on dry and normal skin. In case of problematic skin, the product should be applied carefully and in the thinnest possible layer, otherwise the skin will not have a glowing effect and an oily sheen will appear;
- the color of the product must be selected based on the color type of the skin. For the skin of a cold shade, a silver highlighter is suitable, for a warm color type - golden. The pink shade of makeup is considered universal;
- the brightness of the gloss is selected based on the time of day. For daytime or nude make-up, a product with a light pearlescent shade is suitable, and for an evening look, highlighters with a metallic effect.
Highlighter application has a name - strobing ("flash" - translation from English). The procedure largely depends on the individual characteristics and structure of the face, but makeup artists often use a universal technique.
Make-up is done as follows:
- First you need to cleanse your skin in a convenient way.
- Next, you need to even out the tone of the skin. If you plan to apply a liquid highlighter, then first a layer of foundation is applied to the skin, then a luminizer. In this case, no powder is needed. To apply a dry product, cover your face with foundation and powder, then apply a highlighter in combination with blush.
- Then you need to select the area around the eyes using a flat beveled brush. Highlighter can be mixed with concealer and applied to such areas - the corner of the eye, under the eyebrow, in the center of the upper eyelid.
- Then the makeup is applied to the cheekbones, forehead, nose and chin. It should be noted that highlighting the T-zone with a liquid agent will give it more radiance, but visually it will look like an oily sheen.
- If a woman's upper lip is smaller than the lower one, then the highlighter should be applied to her upper area - this will visually add volume and even out proportions.
Popular brands and models
There are many different makeup brushes on the market. Typically, specialized brands provide customers with a wide range of their own products, from which they can choose the right model.
SIGMA
SIGMA is an American brand that offers a variety of makeup brushes. Accessories are sold individually or in a set of 5 pcs.
Features of the tools:
- durability;
- firmness;
- hypoallergenic;
- suitable for professional use.
Brush models:
- F03 - brush for applying a luminizer to the cheek area;
- F15 - duofiber with beveled edges;
- F20 - large, rounded bristle brush, suitable for applying dry highlighter;
- F35 - cone-shaped brush with a thin tip;
- F65 - long brush with rounded synthetic bristles;
- F90, F41, F42 - soft fan brushes with synthetic bristles.
The cost of 1 brush is from 1,500 rubles. The cost of a set of brushes - from 3 600 rubles.
NYX
NYX is an American cosmetics brand that offers several types of highlighter brushes.
Features of the tools:
- synthetic hypoallergenic pile;
- long service life;
- even application of the product;
- brushes fit comfortably in the hand.
Brush models:
- Face & Body - the brush is suitable for applying all types of powdery textures. The original shape follows any bend;
- BRSH 26 - duofiber for applying a creamy texture;
- BLENDING SPONGE 10 - a sponge for applying a liquid highlighter;
- HIGH GLASS BRUSH - beveled synthetic bristle brush.
The cost of accessories - from 1,400 rubles, sponge - 600-700 rubles.
Giorgio armani
The Giorgio Armani collection has 1 blush and highlighter brush - BLUSH BRUSH. The instrument is made in Japan and has a rounded shape.
Accessory features:
- pile - a combination of natural (goat) and artificial material;
- handle - wooden, varnished;
- long service life;
- with 1-2 washes, the pile may partially crumble from the brush, but by the 3rd use this stops and the tool becomes soft.
Cost - 9 800 rubles.
Mac
The Mac range includes a variety of brushes that are designed for highlighter application:
- 143SES Medium Face Fan Brush - fan brush;
- 129S - rounded bristle powder brush;
- 168S Large Angled Contour - Long white bristle brush;
- 135S Large Flat Powder Brush - a brush for powdery cosmetics with a full long bristle;
- 184S Duo Fiber Fan - fan-shaped duo-fiber;
- 127S Split Fiber Face - wider cheek brush;
- 133S Small Cheek Brush - A short-haired brush designed to work on specific areas of the face.
Features of brushes:
- easy shading of the product in the form of powder;
- long service life;
- modern Mac products come with synthetic fibers, as indicated by the “S” in the product name.
The cost of brushes - from 2,500 rubles.
Roubloff
In creating its products, Roubloff uses the experience of world manufacturers from different countries. Brushes are made in Russia, differ in size and pile material.
Product Features:
- high quality;
- acceptable cost;
- long service life;
- the pile is processed manually;
- the tools are multifunctional - it is convenient to apply makeup on different parts of the face with 1 brush.
Range of highlighter brushes:
- fan brush gv10 - made of natural bristles (goat);
- round brush grr10 - made of natural bristles (goat);
- cylindrical brush jc12 - made of natural bristles (dark goat);
- Moonlight 101 - a round-shaped instrument with natural hair (goat);
- Moonlight 200 - made of synthetic bristles that imitate a goat;
- oval brush go50k - made of natural bristles (goat);
- round brush fr size 6-25 - made of synthetic bristles that imitate squirrel;
- beveled brush ha26y - made of soft synthetic material;
- beveled brush fa26 - made of soft synthetic material (imitation squirrel);
- dome-shaped brush fk - synthetics (imitation of squirrel);
- oval brush qo18 - double bristle (goat and synthetics);
- oval brush bo - made of natural bristles (protein);
- fo brushes - made of synthetic bristles that imitate squirrel.
The cost of the tool is from 300 rubles.
Real Techniques
Real Techniques brushes are designed by beauty industry blogger Samantha Chapman.
Features of brushes:
- soft synthetic bristle (taklon);
- comfortable to hold in hand;
- attractive appearance.
Product range:
- Setting brush - a flat rounded brush that is convenient for applying highlighter in the eye area;
- Expert face brush - round brush with full bristles that helps to apply liquid products evenly;
- Blush brush - A squirrel's tail-shaped brush that manages to apply and blend dry highlighter.
The cost of tools is from 500 rubles.
To apply the highlighter, you need a special brush, which you can buy at a cosmetics store and online market by looking at the photo. The cost of tools directly depends on their quality and brand. Makeup artists prefer brushes with natural bristles, but high quality synthetic analogues are suitable for home use.
Highlighter Brushes Videos
How to use the highlighter fan brush: