Face makeup · Light and dimension

Highlighter

Highlighter doesn’t add light to your face; it changes where the light falls.

Foundation, concealer and powder flatten the face — all three even out tone and leave a matte surface behind. A highlighter’s job is to break up that flatness: to bring forward the points where light naturally lands, like the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the brow bone, and give the face its dimension back. Alix Avien’s four highlighters come in four distinct textures: stick, liquid, baked and powder.

4 highlighters18 shade optionsFrom $19.95
Which texture is right for you?Flawless Skin Routine

At a glance

Alix Avien Baked Highlighter – 01 Sparkling Ivory

Baked Highlighter - 01 Sparkling Ivory

4.0 3

$37.95

Powder Highlighter - Pink

Powder Highlighter - Pink

5.0 1

$25.95

Liquid Highlighter - Sparkling Crystals

Liquid Highlighter - Sparkling Crystals

4.8 6

$30.90

Alix Avien Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter

Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter - 101 Glowy Beige

$25.95

+1
Alix Avien Stick Highlighter 101 Sparkling Crystal

Stick Highlighter - 101 Sparkling Crystal

5.0 3

$19.95

Alix Avien Baked Highlighter – 02 Golden Glow

Baked Highlighter - 02 Golden Glow

4.0 3

$37.95

Powder Highlighter - Gold

Powder Highlighter - Gold

5.0 1

$25.95

Liquid Highlighter - Bright Gold

Liquid Highlighter - Bright Gold

4.8 6

$30.90

Alix Avien Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter

Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter - 102 Sparkling Crystals

$25.95

+1
Alix Avien Stick Highlighter 102 Gold Stars

Stick Highlighter - 102 Gold Stars

5.0 3

$19.95

Alix Avien Baked Highlighter – 03 Sunkissed Radiance

Baked Highlighter - 03 Sunkissed Radiance

4.0 3

$37.95

Powder Highlighter - Nude

Powder Highlighter - Nude

5.0 1

$25.95

Liquid Highlighter - Mirrored Bronze

Liquid Highlighter - Mirrored Bronze

4.8 6

$30.90

Alix Avien Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter

Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter - 103 Dewy Pink

$25.95

+1
Alix Avien Stick Highlighter 103 Multi Radiance

Stick Highlighter - 103 Multi Radiance

5.0 3

$19.95

Alix Avien Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter

Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter - 104 Bright Gold

$25.95

+1
Alix Avien Stick Highlighter 104 Pink Attitude

Stick Highlighter - 104 Pink Attitude

5.0 3

$19.95

Alix Avien Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter

Shine-Up Liquid Highlighter - 105 Mirrored Bronze

$25.95

+1

Showing 1810 of 18 products

Which highlighter is right for you?

With highlighter, texture comes before shade. Cream, liquid and powder formulas can carry the same pigment and still leave a completely different intensity on the skin.

You want…Start hereWhy
Something to use on shoulders, décolleté and legs tooLiquid Highlighter$30.90 · 3 shades · 30 ml · 4.8 ★The only product in the collection designed for both face and body. Its fluid, oil-free, quick-drying texture spreads easily over large areas, and its light-reflecting pigments leave a wet-look glow. Geranium oil and coconut oil take care of the moisturizing side. A few drops can also be mixed into your foundation for a luminous base across the whole face.
An understated glow I can wear every dayPowder Highlighter$25.95 · 3 colors · Powder HighlighterPowder is the most controllable form: you can adjust how much you pick up on the brush and tap off the excess. Its silky texture, milled with Jet Mill Technology, leaves no grainy feel on the skin and adds radiance without weighing it down. Pink suits cool undertones, Gold suits warm undertones, and Nude gives a brightening effect rather than shimmer.
Both a soft and an intense result from one productBaked Highlighter$37.95 · 3 shades · 5.0 ★The baked formula can be used wet or dry: a dry brush gives a soft sheen, a damp brush gives a much more intense, metallic finish. Because it contains sodium hyaluronate and jojoba oil, it doesn’t leave skin feeling tight despite being a powder. Available in 01 Sparkling Ivory, 02 Golden Glow and 03 Sunkissed Radience.

In practice, two products work beautifully together: powder for everyday wear, stick or baked for a special evening. When choosing among the 13 shades, look at your skin’s undertone: silver and pink reflections look more natural on cool skin, gold and peach on warm skin.

Highlighting right in four steps

With highlighter, placement matters more than the product you choose. The right spot can even rescue the wrong shade.

Put it where the light already falls

The top line of the cheekbone, just under the brow bone, the center of the nose bridge, the tip of the chin and the inner corner of the eye. These are the naturally prominent points of the face; when highlighter sits there, the eye reads it as light, not as product.

Choose the texture by the order of application

Cream and liquid highlighters go on right after foundation and before powder. Powder and baked highlighters are saved for last. Doing it in reverse causes the product to pill and lift the layer underneath.

Avoid textured areas

Highlighter reflects light, so it also magnifies every texture it lands on. The sides of the nose, active breakouts and areas with large pores are the worst places for highlighter.

Start small; glow builds

Highlighter is the hardest product to take back; too much makes the face look oily rather than glowing. Start with one thin layer, check it in everyday light and add more if needed.

For powder and baked highlighters, an angled brush with a small head gives the cleanest line — see Face Brushes.

What’s in the formula?

Mica & synthetic mica

Mica · Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

The duo that actually creates the glow; found in all four products. Synthetic fluorphlogopite is a purer, lab-made version of natural mica: smoother flakes and a cleaner, less grainy reflection.

Micro glass particles

Calcium Sodium Borosilicate · Tin Oxide

In the Stick Highlighter. Very fine, glass-like particles refract light in many directions rather than just one; that deep glow people describe as “wet” comes from here.

Coconut Oil

Cocos Nucifera Oil

In the Stick and Liquid Highlighters. An emollient; it helps the pigment grip the skin while keeping the formula from feeling dry.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate · Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

In the Baked Highlighter. A moisture-attracting ingredient that works together with jojoba oil; one of the reasons the baked powder spreads without pilling when used wet.

Geranium Oil

Pelargonium Graveolens Oil

In the Liquid Highlighter. One of the botanical oils that make up the care side of a formula designed to be used on the body as well.

Vitamin E

Tocopheryl Acetate

In the Stick Highlighter. An antioxidant ingredient; one of the components that helps slow the oxidation of the oil-based cream formula over time.

Full ingredient lists are on each product page under Ingredients.

The four most common mistakes

Applying highlighter all over the face

Highlighter works through contrast: a glowing area only stands out if there’s a matte area next to it. Apply it everywhere and the glow disappears, leaving a face that just looks oily.

Applying it to porous, textured areas

Every light-reflecting particle also magnifies the texture beneath it. That’s why the sides of the nose and active breakouts are places highlighter should never go.

Choosing a glow in the wrong undertone

On cool skin, gold shimmer looks yellow; on warm skin, silver shimmer looks gray. The color of the reflection matters more than the amount of shine.

Applying powder highlighter over a damp base

On a surface that hasn’t been powdered yet and is still wet with cream foundation, powder highlighter clings and leaves patches. First a thin layer of powder, then highlighter.

Frequently asked questions

Where on the face do you apply highlighter?

On the high points where light naturally falls: the top line of the cheekbone, just under the brow bone, the center of the nose bridge, the tip of the chin, the cupid’s bow and the inner corner of the eye. A tiny touch in the inner corner of the eye noticeably opens up the look.

Cream, liquid or powder — which should I choose?

Cream (stick) gives the most intense, wettest-looking glow, for special occasions. Powder is the most controllable and suits everyday wear. Liquid is the most versatile since it can be used on both face and body. The baked one gives you everything in between in a single product, used wet or dry.

Does highlighter go on before or after powder?

It depends on the texture. Cream and liquid highlighters go on after foundation and BEFORE powder — that way the powder sets both. Powder and baked highlighters go on AFTER powder, as one of the very last steps of your makeup.

I have oily skin — can I use highlighter?

Yes, but choose a powder or baked formula and keep the application narrow. On oily skin, cream and liquid highlighters can combine with natural shine and read as oiliness rather than glow. Powdering the area first also helps.

How do you use a baked highlighter wet?

Just lightly dampen the tip of your brush and press it into the product. Because the moisture binds the pigments together, the glow becomes noticeably more intense and gives a metallic finish. Used dry, you get a much softer, everyday sheen.

What’s the difference between highlighter and blush?

They do different jobs. Blush adds color and vibrancy to the cheeks; highlighter adds light, not color, and brings the surface forward. The classic placement: blush on the apples of the cheeks, highlighter on the bone line just above.

Can I mix highlighter into my foundation?

With the Liquid Highlighter, yes. Mixing a few drops into foundation creates a soft, luminous base that spreads across the whole face. With this method the glow is all-over rather than targeted; if you want a sharp highlight, you’ll need to apply it separately as well.

Which shade suits me?

Look at your skin’s undertone. If your veins look bluish (cool undertone), silver, pink and pearl reflections look more natural; if they look greenish (warm undertone), gold, peach and champagne shades do. If you’re unsure, champagne shades work for both groups.

Complete the look

BlushJust below the highlighterShopContour & BronzerThe opposite of light: shadowShopPowderThe base before highlighterShopFoundationThe step that builds the matte baseShopSetting SprayThe final locking stepShopFlawless Skin RoutineEvery step in orderShop

Powder and Liquid Highlighters: Types and Textures

Highlighter is one of the most captivating steps in makeup and an essential product for adding a natural glow to the skin, defining facial features and creating a radiant look. Available in powder and liquid form, highlighters are designed for different makeup preferences and skin types. Choosing the right product can make your face look brighter and healthier. So which type of highlighter is best for you? Here's our detailed guide!

Powder Highlighters: Keep Your Glow Under Control

Powder highlighters are one of the most widely used types of highlighter. Because they come in a pressed powder form, they can create either a soft or a shimmering effect on the skin. Applied with a brush, they can give anything from a subtle sheen to an intense glow.

Benefits of Powder Highlighters

  • Easy to apply and buildable.
  • Ideal for oily skin because it absorbs excess oil.
  • Offers different options for both day and night makeup.
  • Has a setting effect as the final step of your makeup.

If you want a natural yet noticeable glow, powder highlighters can be the perfect choice for you.

Liquid Highlighters: A Glow That Melts Into Skin

Liquid highlighters come in cream or fluid form and melt into the skin for a more natural glow. They can be mixed with foundation or applied on their own. Because they give a dewy finish, they're especially well suited to dry skin.

Benefits of Liquid Highlighters

  • Creates a natural, wet-look finish.
  • Melts easily into the skin for an extra-luminous effect.
  • Can be applied with a brush, sponge or fingers.
  • Leaves a dewy feel without drying out the skin.

Liquid highlighters are ideal for anyone after "glass skin" — a glossy, healthy, glass-like look.

Which Highlighter Is Right for You?

When choosing a highlighter, it's important to consider your skin type and makeup style:

  • For oily and combination skin, powder highlighter is the better choice because it mattifies the skin and helps control excess oil.
  • For dry and normal skin, liquid highlighter is a better fit because it gives a dewy, healthy glow.
  • For everyday makeup, finely milled products with a soft shimmer are the way to go.
  • For evening makeup, more highly pigmented products can be used.

How to Apply Highlighter

Applying highlighter correctly means focusing on the highest points of your face for a more striking look:

  1. Cheekbones: One of the most important spots for adding dimension and a healthy glow to your face.
  2. Brow bone: Apply under the brow to make the eyes look more open and rested.
  3. Bridge of the nose: Helps the nose look slimmer and more defined.
  4. Cupid's bow: Helps the lips look fuller.
  5. Chin and forehead: Apply lightly to further define your features.

Alix Avien Highlighter Picks for Your Skin Type

Explore Alix Avien's specially developed products to find the highlighter that suits your skin best:

  • Alix Avien Liquid Highlighter 101 (Pink Shimmer)
    The liquid formula makes it easy to apply. It has an extra-fluid, oil-free, lightweight and quick-drying texture. It blends smoothly into the skin and doesn't transfer onto clothing.
  • Alix Avien Liquid Highlighter 102 (Gold Shimmer)
    The liquid formula makes it easy to apply. It has an extra-fluid, oil-free, lightweight and quick-drying texture. It blends smoothly into the skin and doesn't transfer onto clothing.
  • Alix Avien Liquid Highlighter 103 (Bronze Shimmer)
    The liquid formula makes it easy to apply. It has an extra-fluid, oil-free, lightweight and quick-drying texture. It blends smoothly into the skin and doesn't transfer onto clothing.

Why Are Highlighters So Popular?

A highlighter isn't just shimmer; it's a play of light that emphasizes the natural structure of the face. It softens the look of under-eye tiredness and makes skin look healthy and rested. Applied correctly, it gives your face a youthful, energized look. It's a product every makeup bag needs, because it adds a sophisticated touch to even the simplest complexion makeup.

Highlighter for Day vs. Night: How Should You Use It?

Which level of glow should you choose, and when?

  • Daytime: Use finely milled products with a natural sheen for a look that's "glowy but refined."
  • Evening: Create a bold statement with more metallic, highly pigmented highlighters. Especially ideal for defining your features under spotlights.

How to Choose Your Highlighter Shade

The right glow shade for your skin tone:

  • Fair skin: Champagne, pearl white or light pink shades.
  • Medium/olive skin: Golden and bronze glows.
  • Deep skin: Highlighters with copper and brown undertones give a natural glow.

What to Watch Out for When Using Highlighter

Avoid these mistakes for a more effective look:

  • Using too much product: Too much highlighter can look artificial.
  • Applying it in the wrong places: Spreading it under the eyes or across the whole face creates excessive shine.
  • Using a product that doesn't suit your skin type: It leads to an uneven look on areas that get dry or oily.

By choosing the product that suits your skin, you can achieve a natural or a bold glow. Whether you add a subtle sheen to your everyday makeup or go for a striking glow at night is entirely up to you.