How to Wear Purple Highlighter (the Surprisingly Subtle Next Big Thing in Beauty)

Yes, really. Purple highlighter is the buzz of the beauty world. But it’s not a flash-in-the-pan fad; it’s actually quite flattering on most skin tones and much more subdued than you might think. After talking to our friend Jenny Patinkin (a makeup artist and author of Lazy Perfection: The Art of Looking Great Without Really Trying), we decided to give it a whirl ourselves—now we’re completely obsessed. Here’s how to pull off the hue as an adult.

1. Find the right shade. For lighter complexions, pale purples that have a hint of pink to them work best, while those with medium to darker skin can opt for richer, more pigmented purples. Patinkin says anything that’s too light can appear chalky on deeper skin.

2. Use it like a color corrector. Purple balances out sallow gray or yellow tones in the skin and adds instant brightness wherever it’s applied. Two places to start: on top of your cheekbones and around the tear ducts, which will really pop the whites of the eyes. You can also add some to the center of your eyelids for a subtle flash of radiance, Patinkin advises.

3. Keep everything else warm. When wearing a cool shade like lavender, it’s best to balance out the rest of your look (i.e., your lips) with warmer colors like peach or coral. 

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