As someone with oily skin, I’ve always avoided highlighters like the plague and at the same time longed for those dewy cheekbones one so often sees on magazine covers. But recently I started to feel like my makeup life wasn’t complete and that I needed to experiment with illuminators to see if I could somehow make them work for me. Long story short, I am now the proud owner of The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer.
After the initial hesitations about voluntarily adding shine to my skin, I think I’ve found a way to make it look flattering on my oily face. To me the secret to wearing highlighter without looking like a disco ball is to only apply it where I don’t normally get oily and keep everything else completely matte (OK, ‘secret’ probably wasn’t the best word choice here!). My typical look featuring highlighter consists of:
- A mattifying primer: I use Make Up For Ever Step1 Skin Equalizer (read full review here).
- A matte foundation: I recently got a pretty generous sample of Estée Lauder Double Wear and think it’s amazing, possibly the best foundation for oily skin I’ve ever tried!
- A matte setting powder: I love using Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation or Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Powder – the first one paired with light coverage foundations and the second one with higher coverage options, like the DW.
- A matte bronzer: Chanel Les Beiges is my favorite of all time, but Essence make a great affordable alternative (both featured in my bronzer edit).
- Matte eyeshadows: For this particular look I used the two matte shades from the Urban Decay Naked. I applied Naked on the lid and Buck in the crease and on the lower lash line.
- A matte lipstick: In the pictures, I’m wearing Tarte Lip Surgence Matte Lip Tint in Fiery.
I often wear matte eyeshadows and adding highlighter to the inner corners is a great way to liven up the look. Another little spot to highlight even if you have oily skin is the cupid’s bow (I’m sorry the glow didn’t translate well into picture). It really does make your top lip look fuller, try and see! Finally, I also put highlighter on top of my cheekbones, making sure I avoid the center of the face, where I have enlarged pores (as sparkle tends to emphasize them).
Obviously, I’m not saying that if you have oily skin you need a highlighter like you would need a setting powder, BUT if you like playing with makeup as much as I do, just know there’s another product you can have fun with and make it look good.
Do you guys use highlighter? What’s your skin type and where do you usually apply it?
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35 Comments
Diane
October 22, 2015 at 11:49 amAnother great article! I lightly apply a highlighter at the top of my cheekbone, down about about a half inch. I typically use a NARS one. I love the way your new The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer adds the perfect amount of shine! You look beautiful as always!
Diane
http://www.petiteinparis.com
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:30 pmThank you, Diane!
Candice
October 22, 2015 at 12:49 pmWow that highlighter is so pretty!!! ☺
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:31 pmIndeed it is! 😉
Sam
October 22, 2015 at 1:33 pmThis was lovely to read that you’ve found a highlighter that works on oily skin! I’m not a huge make up wearer but I still look out for good products. Plus, your lipstick looks lovely too! xx
Sam // Samantha Betteridge
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:31 pmThank you! 🙂
Sangeeta
October 22, 2015 at 2:12 pmI have oily skin and tend to stay away from highlighters. But after reading your post I feel the same way you do – like something is missing. Going all matte so that the highlighter doesn’t seem OTT seems like a nice idea.
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:32 pmLet me know if you start experimenting with highlighter!
Kay
October 22, 2015 at 2:18 pmGreat post! My skin is incredibly oily, too, and Lou Manizer is the only highlighter I can actually use! I’ve been getting more and more into TheBalm products lately, they have some really amazing stuff 🙂 <3
Kay
http://shoesandglitter.blogspot.com
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:33 pmI’d love to try their liquid lipsticks!
Trishna Patel
October 22, 2015 at 3:34 pmYaay, I’ve been looking for a new highlighter, this may be the one 🙂 xx
tipscapsule.blogspot.com
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:34 pmGood to hear you’ve found this post useful! 😉
Tati
October 22, 2015 at 4:45 pmSuper pretty highlighter <3
coralbuttons.wordpress.com
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:34 pmIt really is!
Agata
October 22, 2015 at 5:02 pmFortunately, I don’t have an oily skin so I can use a highlighter freely 🙂 But I normally apply it in the same places as you do! And also down the bridge of my nose.
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:36 pmOily skin is annoying!
Yvonne
October 22, 2015 at 6:07 pmI love your pictures and how you write. Keep up the great work! 🙂
http://juanamaua.blogspot.com
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:36 pmThank you!
Winfred
October 22, 2015 at 7:22 pmHello pretty pretty
This post is defo dedicated to me
I have the oily skin and its annoying
thanks for sharing
xxx
http://itsjustwinnie.blogspot.co.uk/
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:38 pmYou’re welcome! I agree, oily skin really is annoying!
Lulle
October 22, 2015 at 8:47 pmI have combo skin, but it’s been really oily this summer, so I have a real shine problem on my T-zone. I usually keep the highlighter for night looks, and I use it on my cheeks only (not on the ridge of the nose, forehead and chin like some people do). Mary-Lou Manizer is my absolute fave 😉
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:40 pmYeah, I’ll definitely only use it for night looks. I’m glad I chose a good one! 😉
LindaLibraLoca
October 22, 2015 at 9:38 pmI find myself reaching for shimmering blushes more often, that way skipping the highlighter but at the same time adding a little glow to my otherwise powdered down face.
But I would never ever use it on forehead, bridge of the nose or anywhere else, I do get my shine there naturally!
Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:50 pmMy forhead is the worst in terms of excess oil… UGH!
veebz
October 22, 2015 at 9:49 pmThat highlighter looks stunning on your skin! At the moment I love using my Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator. But I really want to get The Balm’s Mary-Lou Manizer, and as they sell it in Superdrug now, you’ve inspired me to get it asap.
– http://www.veebzboo.com
– http://www.youtube.com/veebzboo
Carol in a
October 22, 2015 at 11:52 pmABH Illuminators look gorgeous! Do they look more metallic or glittery on the skin?
Heather Lisa Noire
October 23, 2015 at 2:58 amLove this style on you! such a gorgeous lip colour and style great post! http://www.bauchlefashion.com
Carol in a
October 24, 2015 at 6:55 pmThank you!
Danielle
October 23, 2015 at 8:18 pmI have been thinking of buying a highlighter because of all the nice effects one can create by applying it. I have never used one, so I’m afraid I will not know what to do with it. I’m glad you found one that you like. Have a great weekend!
Danielle
http://www.spring2spring.com
Carol in a
October 24, 2015 at 6:56 pmOh, it’s so easy to use, I’m sure you could figure it out!
diya
October 24, 2015 at 9:44 amlove the highlighter its gorgeous 🙂
Sneha Rane
October 26, 2015 at 6:24 pmI too have oily skin! Will try to get my hands on this one 🙂
http://beautyandallthatjazz.com/prom-dresses/