How to Choose the Perfect Highlighter for Your Skin Tone

A highlighter can transform your makeup look, adding a lit-from-within glow that enhances your features. But with so many shades available, finding the perfect one for your skin tone can be overwhelming. The right highlighter should complement your complexion, not clash with it, and highlight your natural beauty.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to choose a highlighter based on your skin tone and undertone. We'll also share our top picks from MERIT, including the Glowy Skin Trio and The Intro Set, to help you achieve that radiant finish.

Understanding Your Skin Tone and Undertone

Before you pick a highlighter, it's essential to know your skin tone (fair, light, medium, tan, deep) and undertone (cool, warm, or neutral). Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath your skin's surface, and it determines which shades of highlighter will look most natural on you. A quick way to find your undertone is to check the veins on your wrist: blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones, green veins suggest warm undertones, and a mix of both means you have neutral undertones.

Your skin tone and undertone work together to guide your highlighter choice. For instance, if you have fair skin with cool undertones, a champagne or pearl highlighter will give you a soft, natural glow. On the other hand, if you have deep skin with warm undertones, a gold or bronze highlighter will beautifully accentuate your complexion. Understanding this will help you avoid looking ashy or overly shiny.

• Cool undertones: blue or pink hues in your skin
• Warm undertones: yellow, peach, or golden hues
• Neutral undertones: a balance of both cool and warm

Highlighter Shades for Fair and Light Skin

For fair to light skin tones, the goal is to add a subtle glow without looking too dark or muddy. Champagne, pearl, and soft pink highlighters are ideal choices. These shades blend seamlessly with lighter complexions, providing a luminous finish that looks natural. Avoid deep golds or bronze shades, as they can appear too harsh and unnatural on fair skin.

If you have cool undertones, opt for a champagne with a silvery shimmer. For warm undertones, a champagne with a golden tint works beautifully. A pink highlighter can also be flattering, especially for those with rosy undertones, as it adds a healthy flush to the cheeks. The Glowy Skin Trio from MERIT includes a versatile champagne shade that suits fair to light skin tones perfectly.

• Champagne: universally flattering for fair skin
• Pearl: adds a cool, ethereal glow
• Pink: enhances natural rosy undertones

Highlighter Shades for Medium and Tan Skin

Medium and tan skin tones have more flexibility with highlighter shades. Gold, rose gold, and peach highlighters are excellent choices, as they add warmth and radiance without looking overpowering. These shades complement the natural warmth in medium and tan complexions, giving you a sun-kissed glow.

If you have warm undertones, a gold highlighter will enhance your skin's golden glow. For cool undertones, a rose gold or peach shade can add a beautiful contrast. Consider a highlighter with a fine, buildable formula so you can control the intensity, whether you prefer a subtle sheen or a more dramatic highlight. The Intro Set includes a stunning gold shade that works well for medium to tan skin.

• Gold: perfect for warm undertones
• Rose gold: flattering for both warm and cool undertones
• Peach: adds a soft, warm glow

Highlighter Shades for Deep and Dark Skin

Deep and dark skin tones look stunning with rich, bold highlighters. Bronze, copper, and deep gold shades are excellent choices, as they provide a luminous glow that stands out against deeper complexions. These shades add dimension and radiance without appearing ashy or washed out.

For warm undertones, a bronze or copper highlighter will beautifully complement your skin. For cool undertones, a deep gold with a subtle shimmer is a great option. Avoid very light or white highlighters, as they can leave a chalky residue. Instead, look for formulas with a creamy texture that melt into the skin, like the highlighter in The Base Set, which offers a rich, buildable color.

• Bronze: adds warmth and depth
• Copper: perfect for a radiant glow
• Deep gold: flattering for all undertones

Champagne vs. Gold: Which Is Right for You?

One of the most common dilemmas is choosing between a champagne and a gold highlighter. Champagne is a light, beige-pink shade with a subtle shimmer, while gold is a warm, yellow-toned shade that provides a more intense glow. The choice depends on your skin tone and desired effect.

Champagne is ideal for fair to light skin, as it adds a natural, subtle highlight without being too dark. It also works well for those who prefer a more understated glow. Gold, on the other hand, is perfect for medium to deep skin tones, as it provides a warm, radiant finish that enhances the complexion. If you have neutral undertones, you can pull off both shades, but consider the occasion: champagne for a daytime look, gold for an evening event.

• Champagne: best for fair to light skin, subtle glow
• Gold: best for medium to deep skin, intense warmth
• Consider your undertone: cool undertones lean toward champagne, warm undertones toward gold

Cool vs. Warm Highlighter: Matching Your Undertone

Understanding whether you have cool or warm undertones is crucial when selecting a highlighter. Cool undertones look best with highlighters that have a silvery, pearl, or icy pink tone, as these shades complement the pink and blue hues in your skin. Warm undertones, on the other hand, are enhanced by golden, peach, or bronze highlighters, which align with the yellow and warm undertones in your complexion.

If you have neutral undertones, you're lucky—you can wear both cool and warm highlighters. However, you may find that a champagne shade is the most versatile, as it bridges the gap between cool and warm. The Glowy Skin Trio offers a champagne shade that works for all undertones, making it a great option for those who want a universal highlighter.

• Cool undertones: choose silver, pearl, or pink
• Warm undertones: choose gold, peach, or bronze
• Neutral undertones: choose champagne for versatility

Finding the perfect highlighter for your skin tone is all about understanding your undertone and choosing a shade that enhances your natural beauty. Whether you prefer a subtle champagne glow or a bold gold shimmer, MERIT has a range of high-quality, clean highlighters to suit every complexion. Explore the Glowy Skin Trio to discover your perfect match and let your skin shine.