7 Makeup Items To Use Instead Of Highlighter

Have you ever delved into your makeup bag only to come up with powder makeup crumbling between your fingers and tears running down your face? When this happens, knowing how to utilize other products to fit the same needs is lifesaving. For example, knowing what products you can use as highlighter besides the usual suspects has saved me many times.

Wearing and using highlighter changed my life. After discovering that I could wear essentially glitter on my cheekbones every day and have it be fashionable, it took a lot to restrain myself from covering my entire face. Good highlighter can range from being kind of expensive, to really expensive, to completely affordable, and the quality ranges, depending on the effect you're trying to achieve, of course. Generally speaking, though, a good highlighter is an investment, especially if it's a look you're going to bring into your daily routine.

Arguably, highlighter is little more than glorified glitter. And that's OK. I love glitter and being able to put glitter on places I didn't know you could or should put glitter on is one of the best makeup discoveries of my life. While I'll probably continue to heavily invest in highlighter products for the foreseeable future, here are some highlighter hacks for when you don't have your product to hand.

1. Eyeshadow

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, $30, Amazon

Your more subtle glitter or shimmer eye shadows are perfectly up for the job of reaching above your eyelid and onto your brow bone.

2. Loose Glitter

Sparkle Effect Loose Glitter, $1, Sally Beauty

For a bit more of a party look or if you have a subtle shimmer powder in your makeup drawer, dab some vaseline along your cheekbones (which will add to your dewy complexion) then dust some glitter on top.

3. Shimmer Body Bar

Shimmy Shimmy Solid Body Tint, $18, Amazon

Every birthday, without fail, I get given at least one LUSH shimmer bar from friends or family. As a glitter aficionado, this is one of my favourite LUSH products and you can get similar ones in a lot of different body care shops. The shimmer the bar gives your arms in the bath can easily be translated onto the face for highlighting reasons.

4. Shimmer Lipstick

Laura Mercier Shimmer Lip Color, $25, Sephora

Of course you know by now that your red lipstick doubles as blush, but your shimmery lipsticks can also double as highlighter. Why even bother buying any other makeup products? Just cover your entire face with different lippies and be done with it.

5. Make Your Own

For the truly thrifty amongst us, making your own highlighter is deceptively simple. Having at hand for next time will truly help you save time, as well as money.

6. Glitter Lip Smacker

Lip Smacker Holiday Shimmer In Sugar Plum, $3, Lip Smacker

Lip Smackers were one of the sweetest (get it?) aspects of childhood makeup. If you're lucky enough to still have a shimmery one knocking about, put it to use and rub it on your face.

7. Glitter Hair Spray

Silver Glitter Hairspray, $6, Claires

Spraying hairspray on your makeup to help it set and stop your facial sweat is an old drag queen makeup hack. It does dry out your skin, and it isn't for the every day, but if you're gonna do it you might as well use a glittery one to highlight your best features.

Ready, set, glow.

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