The cosmetic product used to add shine to high points of the face is highlighter. It reflects light to make areas such as the cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of the nose, and Cupid’s bow appear more prominent.
Highlighter is sold as powder, cream, liquid, stick, gloss, or jelly. White and champagne shades are common, but makeup artists also use pink, bronze, blue, and multicolored formulas. The product can be applied alone or after contouring, which uses darker tones to create the impression of shadow and depth.
Highlighter became especially associated with theater and film makeup, where artists used reflective products to define facial structure under artificial lighting. It later became a mainstream beauty product, helped by makeup tutorials and selfie-focused social media during the 2010s.
A common mix-up is confusing highlighter with bronzer or setting powder. Bronzer adds warmth and color, while setting powder reduces shine and helps makeup stay in place. An illuminator is a related term, but highlighter is the more specific answer for emphasizing selected facial high points.