When scrolling TikTok a few weeks ago (as one does), I came across a video from makeup artist Megan Lavallie [2] that immediately piqued my interest. In the video, Lavallie was showcasing a way to make eyes pop by using a specific placement of a highlighter. The makeup hack [3] only required two items: a liquid highlighter, and an eyeshadow brush – and it took about a minute total. I've never been a huge fan of highlighter, and I have to admit it's probably one of my least used makeup products — I'm way more likely to reach for my bronzer or blush [4]. However, I had never tried using highlighter in any areas other than the typical nose and upper cheek zones, so I was curious to learn more.
In the video, which has over 3.4 million views, Lavallie can be seen dotting the Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer Highlighter [5] (£21) in three areas around her eye and then blending it out with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. "By placing your highlighter in these three specific spots kind of in a triangle around your eye, [you'll] create this beautiful halo. It just makes your eye pop," Lavallie says.
I have hooded downturned eyes, and I've found that a lot of tips and tricks in relation to eye makeup rarely work well on my eyes. Still, I'm always looking for ways to make my eyes look bigger and more open, and since the highlight was focussed around the eye, versus directly on it, I was excited to see whether this tip would work for me.
To test this tip out for myself, I opted to use the Iconic London Illuminator Liquid Highlight [6] (£24) because I love the formula and pigment. I used the dropper dispenser included with the product to place three dots directly onto my skin around my eye. The first dot I placed under the arch of my eyebrow, the second I placed below the outside corner of my eye, and the third I placed under the inside corner of my eye.
I then took a soft, fluffy eyeshadow brush and tapped each dot softly until they blended out. (Next time, I'll probably use a firmer brush to blend so I have more control over the placement, but what I had at the time worked.)
When I was finished with my first eye, I took a second to compare both sides, and I was pretty shocked at the difference. The eye that I had highlighted looked more open, illuminated, and lifted, while the other side just looked dull. The effect was almost like using a magical brightening under eye cream – I looked more awake and instantly glowing. I wasn't wearing much makeup when I tested this hack, but I think it would work just as well on a full face of makeup, maybe even better.
This was easily one of the most uncomplicated and straightforward TikTok hacks I've tried, and it made such a noticeable difference that I'm definitely going to continue using it every time I do my makeup. If you're thinking of trying it out for yourself– definitely give it a go. All it requires is a liquid highlighter and an eyeshadow brush.