March 28, 2024

Dhani’s Favorite Highlighter That Doesn’t Really Look Like Highlighter

For if ultra-sparkly cheekbones aren’t your thing. Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Matte Highlighter, $26, available here.

I’m no expert on beauty trends, but millennials’ collective obsession with highlighter feels like one of the most pervasive of all time. From Glossier to KKW to Fenty to Pat McGrath Labs, the internet’s most relevant and successful beauty brands have made highlighter a core part of their Instagram-friendly offerings; and when it comes to this makeup category, it seems like the more shine and glitter they deposit, the better.

Perhaps that’s a good look on the ‘gram, but, to me, looking like Edward Cullen in the sun all the time is a little much. That said, I find that adding a little extra glow to my cheekbones helps to brighten up my face and make it look like I, well, have cheekbones. A longtime favorite highlighter from Benefit has remained my go-to for this reason.

Its clever name, “shy beam” caught my interest immediately: It’s a subtler version of the brand’s more intense High Beam liquid highlighter, a highlighter for people who don’t want to look like they’re wearing highlighter. It’s described as matte, but light-reflecting, and the format isn’t the most convenient – it’s basically like a nail polish bottle and you “brush” the drippy formula on – but it works. And, it can be used under or over makeup for a hint of gleam.

My ultimate goal is to have skin so naturally perfect and glow-y that I don’t need anything at all, but until that happens (probably never), this will do.

Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Matte Highlighter, $26, available here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *