How to Do Holographic Highlight IRL — According to a Beauty Pro

By Taylor Frankel

Taylor Frankel launched the successful makeup brand Nudestix with her sister Ally. We are thrilled to share this exclusive contributing creative post from her. Then, learn more about how she started Nudestix here.

Hey, it's me, your girl Tay! Serious question, how many times have you seen an Instagram trend that looks super cool in pictures, but not-at-all wearable IRL? (TBT to clown contouring, haha.) The beauty community has done it again, by feeding our inner unicorn obsession. Meet the holographic highlighting trend! Not that I need to tell you, because you've probably heard all the rage about the "holographic" trend, and probably thought to yourself, "Well, that's cool but I could never wear (or pull that off) to work, school, or for a casual brunch with girlfriends." For this very relatable reason, I have created the ultimate (not to brag!) step-by-step how-to guide for creating the perfect wearable holographic highlight for real life. Thank me later, ladies!

01
Start With Complexion

Start With Complexion

We want the skin to look as fresh as possible! Use a lightweight concealer and sheer BB cream or tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone.

I usually never leave home without my concealer! I love this concealer ($24) because it is extremely buildable (medium to high coverage), yet feels super lightweight on the skin. Also, its great for sensitive skin. I like to prep my face with a moisturizer prior to use.

I'm obsessed with Clarins BB Cream ($42)! Perfect for that no-makeup makeup look — it evens and brightens your complexion with its delicate illuminating pearl pigments.

TIP: Start with a CC cream to even out the complexion, and then apply your concealer on any dark spots/under eye circles for more intense coverage.

02
Pick a Highlighter Stick With a Lavender/Iridescent Undertone

Pick a Highlighter Stick With a Lavender/Iridescent Undertone

If you opt for a luminizer with a purple and/or iridescent undertone and then stand in the right lighting, you'll notice the lavender come through. YASSS! I love to use a gel-like formula because I find it imitates the look of fresh skin, whereas a powder can often look chalky and absorb your skin's natural oils.

I am semibiased, but we have received nonstop love from the beauty community for this product. The NUDIES Hi-Lite + Glow All-Over Face Color in Illumi-Naughty ($30) is meant to wear all over the face (eyes, lips, and cheeks) for a natural dewy, iridescent glow. There's a synthethic (vegan) blending brush on the other end to stipple the product into the skin for a natural finish.

TIP: For the most natural holographic highlight look, you want the lavender and holographic pigments to be very subtle.

03

Now, Go Highlighter Crazy!

Apply the luminizing product to the high points of the face, such as the upper cheek bones, eyelids, inner corners of the eyes, bridge of the nose, brow bone, Cupid's bow — pretty much everywhere!

TIP: I love to apply the product directly with my fingers to achieve a skin-like finish.

04
Finish Your Look With Lips

Finish Your Look With Lips

Stain the lips with a highly pigmented gloss in a gel formula — like Gel Color in Posh ($24) — to achieve a monochromatic glowing look!

05

The Final Unicorn Look

I hope you loved my holographic highlight tips 'n' tricks! X Taylor