To brighten your complexion and give yourself a healthy glow, nothing beats highlighter. But how do you choose it? We'll give you the keys to finding the one you need.

A few years ago, a miracle product entered the world of beauty: the highlighter. Highly acclaimed by makeup artists, it quickly became a must-have in our makeup kits. But why is the highlighter so successful? With the advent of so-called "natural" makeup, a luminous complexion and a touch of radiance have become the norm for a perfect complexion. The highlighter is the ideal product to offer this shiny and glowy (but natural) result that we love so much.

What are the different types of highlighter?

Although it was first known in powder form, highlighter quickly evolved to appear in other forms, each more practical than the last.

Powder highlighter

This is the basic form, the one you will probably find most easily in the beauty aisles. The highlight powder as it is also called, is nestled in a compact powder or is found in the form of balls, and is applied with a dedicated fan brush. It is now found in different shades (champagne with golden, copper, pink and even blue or purple tones) to perfectly match all skin tones and have fun with the result. The advantage of the powder is that it is adjustable and you can easily play on the intensity for a more or less glowy complexion.

The cream highlighter

The creamy version is ideal for those who like to play with textures. It is ideally smoothed with the fingers to stretch the material. Since it blends perfectly into the skin, the creamy highlighter offers a much more natural finish than powder and can therefore be used for everyday makeup. In fact, you can even use just a small touch of highlighter to brighten your face, without having to go through the makeup box!

Liquid or fluid highlighter

Liquid or fluid highlighter can also be translated as a shine serum. It is generally found in the form of a treatment and base before makeup. Riddled with pearly or shiny pigments, fluid highlighter can be applied like an iridescent veil over the entire face, just before applying foundation and concealer. It can also be applied alone, since it has the advantage of slightly blurring imperfections for a fresh complexion in no time.

The highlighter stick

We've seen it for a while now, the highlighter stick is gaining ground. Just like blush, it comes in a small tube with a wheel and can be applied directly to the skin. This format is practical to carry everywhere for unexpected touch-ups. It blends easily with a brush for a more or less pronounced look.

• For more details on applying highlighter, check out our article " how to apply your highlighter " and never miss the final touch for a perfect complexion again!

How to choose your highlighter shade?

When it comes to makeup, one of the most important things to consider to avoid making a faux pas is your skin tone. Whether it's blush, foundation, concealer or highlighter, it's best to know the right tone for your skin tone to choose the color that will match perfectly. Highlighter comes in different colors. Its shades adapt to the multiple tones that skin can take.

Understanding your skin color

It is important to understand your skin tone to choose the right highlighter shade. If your skin is on the pale side, a champagne, silver or pink tones will work well. If your skin is darker, a warm, golden, copper or orange shade may work best.

Think about skin undertone

To choose the perfect highlighter, it is also essential to take into account the undertone of the skin. If the undertone is warm (golden, olive), a golden or copper shade will suit better even for fair skin. If the undertone is cool (blue, purple), a champagne or pale pink shade can work better.

How to discover your skin undertone? The test is simple: we juxtapose two fabrics (one blue and one orange) close to the face, if the blue fabric gives a healthy glow, the undertone is cool, if it is rather the orange fabric which reveals the radiance, then the undertone is warm.

Should you choose your highlighter according to your skin type?

As with anything you apply to your skin (including skincare products like day cream, eye serum , and sunscreen), it's best to choose your highlighter based on your skin type. Different skin types have specific needs, and choosing the wrong makeup product can result in mediocre results or even worsen existing skin issues.

When you have dry skin: dry skin likes cream or liquid textures. These moisturizing formulas often have skincare active ingredients and help give the skin a natural glow while avoiding a dry or porous appearance. Avoid powder highlighters that can accentuate dry areas and give your skin a dull appearance.

When you have oily skin: If your skin is oily, it's best to use a powder highlighter or a gel-based formula. These textures are lighter and are less likely to contribute to sebum production, which we know can lead to oilier skin. In this case, avoid creamy highlighters that can make your skin look oily.

When you have combination skin: if your skin is combination, you can choose a powder highlighter, a liquid formula or a stick. However, avoid creamy highlighters that can accentuate the oily areas of the face.

When you have sensitive skin: Sensitive skin will prefer hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic makeup products. No matter the form, the main thing is to choose a soft and fragrance-free highlighter to avoid irritation.