The highlighter every fair-skinned woman should use

There’s no doubt that highlighters have become the makeup bag staple of 2016, and we have a feeling they’re not going anywhere in 2017, either.

The problem with highlighters and illuminators, however, is that they don’t always do their magic on very pale skin. The always-popular golden, champagne and peachy highlighter shades end up coming across as too warm or chalky on fair skin tones.

As it turns out, there’s actually an unexpected beauty product that might just be the answer to achieving perfectly highlighted cheekbones on fair skin. According to makeup artist, Elsa Morgan, purple colour correctors can be used to highlight and strobe the face for those with paler skin tones.

Traditionally, purple colour correctors are applied underneath base makeup and used to neutralise yellow or sallow skin tones that appear dull, however, Morgan says if applied on top of your foundation or BB cream “the purple hue visually brightens and counterbalances the skin”, making it appear highlighted and radiant.

For best results, Morgan recommends using your fingers or a damp BeautyBlender to blend the product over “areas of the face you want to brighten, so the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and Cupid’s bow.” Once the product has melted into the skin, an opalescent effect is left, providing a subtle glow that leaves the complexion looking natural and dewy.

It’s important to note that while this technique works wonders for those with fair skin, it won’t deliver impressive results if you have a medium or darker skin tones, as the lighter purple shade will appear ashy and unnatural. If you’re looking to give this method a go, we’d recommend Becca Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector in Violet, Urban Decay Naked Skin Colour Correcting Fluid in Lavender and NYX Cosmetics Concealer Jar in Lavender.

For more information on how to perfect a radiant and glowing makeup look, check out our essential guide to highlighting.

Image credit: Getty