Here's Why Everyone's Freaking Out About Face Gloss

Contouring is cool and all (if you've got the time, skills, and pile of products). But we love the most fool-proof part of the process —  highlighting — which can be done with or without all the shading and shadowing​, to give an instant glow. 

And we're really loving the latest way to get that luminous, light-reflecting look without all the shimmer of traditional highlighters: face gloss. 

Face gloss is essentially what it sounds like: a clear liquid product created for your face, as opposed to your lips, where we're used to seeing it. Its goal: to give your face a highlighted look that's neither sticky nor chalky, but rather natural and dewy​. 

On top of beauty lovers everywhere touting it as a new fave, the pros love it, too. "Heavy contouring may look beautiful on Instagram, but most of the women I know have no interest in wearing four pounds of makeup," says Laramie, makeup artist and owner of Book Your Look​. "They want to look fresh, youthful, and dewy — which is exactly the best way to use face gloss."

Ready to give it a try? Follow these easy steps.

​1. Add sheen to your eyes.​ Laramie recommends tapping a small amount of face gloss onto the center of your lids, either atop eyeshadow (to give your makeup a cool, sexy look), ​or on your bare skin.

​2. Highlight your cheeks.​  Tap the gloss along your cheekbones where you would normally place a highlighter, advises Laramie, who adds: "Make sure to tap it to blend rather than rubbing it — this will ensure an even finish."

​3. Give lips a touch of shine.​ To make your lips look fuller, apply a bit of the gloss to the center of your bottom lip.

Just like that, you've got an all-over radiant look using just one simple product.