A collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, slender bone that runs horizontally across the top of your chest. When you highlight this area, you draw attention to the natural shadows and curves, creating the illusion of a more defined, sculpted neckline. This guide is your definitive resource for achieving a perfectly highlighted collarbone.
The Foundation: Preparing Your Canvas
Before you even touch a highlighter, a little preparation goes a long way. This isn’t just about slapping on a product; it’s about creating the perfect surface for it to adhere to and reflect light from.
Exfoliation: The First Step to a Radiant Glow
Dead skin cells can make your skin look dull and uneven, creating a less-than-ideal canvas for highlighting. By exfoliating, you remove this layer, revealing fresh, smooth skin that reflects light more effectively.
- Action: Use a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant on your chest and décolletage 2-3 times a week.
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Example: In the shower, use a sugar scrub with a loofah or an exfoliating glove. Focus on circular motions, paying attention to the area around your collarbones.
Moisturization: Hydration is Your Highlighter’s Best Friend
Moisturized skin is plump, smooth, and much more receptive to product. Applying a body lotion or oil creates a hydrated, dewy base that prevents the highlighter from looking patchy or clinging to dry spots.
- Action: Immediately after showering, apply a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer to your chest and shoulders.
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Example: A hyaluronic acid-based body lotion or a few drops of jojoba oil works wonders. Wait for a minute or two to let it fully absorb before moving on to the next step.
Choosing Your Weapon: The Right Highlighter Formula
Not all highlighters are created equal. The formula you choose will determine the finish, longevity, and overall effect. Picking the right one for your skin type and desired look is crucial.
Liquid Highlighters: For a “Lit from Within” Glow
Liquid highlighters are fantastic for a natural, dewy finish. They blend seamlessly into the skin, making the glow look like it’s coming from within rather than sitting on top. They are particularly great for dry or mature skin.
- Action: Use a small amount, as a little goes a long way. Dab it onto your skin and blend with your fingertips, a damp beauty sponge, or a dense brush.
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Example: Place a small drop on the highest points of your collarbones and the tops of your shoulders. Pat it in gently until the edges are completely diffused.
Cream Highlighters: The Creamy, Buildable Option
Cream highlighters offer a similar dewy finish to liquids but are often more pigmented and easier to control. They are excellent for targeted application and building up intensity.
- Action: Use your fingertips to warm up the product and then tap it onto your skin. The warmth from your fingers helps the product melt into the skin for a natural finish.
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Example: Use a small, dense brush to pick up some cream highlighter and draw a thin line along the top of your collarbone, blending with your finger.
Powder Highlighters: The Classic, High-Impact Choice
Powder highlighters are the most common type and offer the widest range of finishes, from subtle sheen to blinding shimmer. They are a great choice for all skin types but work especially well for oily skin, as they help to absorb excess oil.
- Action: Use a fan brush, a fluffy eyeshadow brush, or a small, tapered brush for precise application. Tap off any excess product before applying.
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Example: Sweep a fan brush over the powder and then gently glide it along the collarbone. Layer it for more intensity.
Body Shimmer Oils and Lotions: The All-Over Radiance Solution
These products are less about targeted highlighting and more about an all-over, ethereal glow. They contain finely milled shimmer particles that catch the light beautifully.
- Action: Pump a few drops into your hand and apply it evenly across your chest, shoulders, and arms.
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Example: After moisturizing, mix a few drops of a shimmer oil with your body lotion for a subtle, full-body glow.
The Art of Placement: Where to Apply for Maximum Impact
Correct placement is the key to making your collarbones truly pop. You’re not just painting a stripe on your body; you’re using light and shadow to create an optical illusion.
Mapping Your Collarbones: The High Points are Your Target
The goal is to highlight the bone itself and the areas right above it. This is where the light would naturally hit.
- Action: Gently press your fingertips along your collarbones to feel the highest points. This is your target zone.
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Example: The two main “humps” of your clavicles and the small dip in the center of your chest (the suprasternal notch) are the areas you want to focus on.
The “C” and “V” Method: A Strategic Approach
This is a professional technique that sculpts and defines, rather than just adding shimmer.
- Action: Apply a thin line of highlighter along the top edge of each collarbone, forming a subtle “V” shape in the center. Then, connect the V with two “C” shapes, tracing the curve of each collarbone.
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Example: Use a small, fluffy brush to apply a powder highlighter in this pattern. Blend the edges with a clean brush or your finger.
Highlighting the Shoulders and Décolletage: The Supporting Cast
Don’t neglect the surrounding areas. Highlighting the tops of your shoulders and the center of your chest creates a cohesive, radiant look that makes the collarbones appear even more prominent.
- Action: Lightly dust highlighter on the highest points of your shoulders and the center of your chest.
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Example: With a large, fluffy brush, sweep a shimmering powder across the tops of your shoulders, creating a beautiful halo effect.
The Tools of the Trade: Brushes and Sponges
The right tool can make or break your application. Using the wrong brush can lead to a patchy, unblended mess.
Fan Brush: The Go-To for a Natural Sweep
A fan brush is perfect for applying powder highlighter with a light, airy touch. It disperses the product evenly and prevents you from applying too much.
- Action: Lightly dip the tips of the bristles into the powder and sweep it along your collarbone.
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Example: Use a large fan brush to sweep a shimmering powder from the center of your chest outwards, following the line of your collarbone.
Small, Fluffy Brush: For Precision and Blending
A smaller, fluffy brush (like an eyeshadow blending brush) is ideal for more targeted application and blending the edges of your highlighter.
- Action: Use this brush to apply the product in the precise areas you’ve mapped out and then blend the edges for a seamless transition.
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Example: Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply a cream highlighter to the dip in the center of your chest and blend it outwards.
Beauty Sponge: The Secret to a Skin-Like Finish
A damp beauty sponge is your best friend for applying liquid or cream highlighters. It presses the product into the skin, giving it a flawless, airbrushed finish.
- Action: Dab the product onto your skin with the sponge, using a tapping or bouncing motion.
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Example: Apply a few dots of liquid highlighter to your collarbones and then use a damp beauty sponge to press and blend it into the skin.
Advanced Techniques: Taking It to the Next Level
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can experiment with more advanced techniques to truly sculpt and define your neckline.
The “Highlighter and Contour” Method: Creating True Dimension
This technique uses both light and shadow to make your collarbones appear incredibly sharp and defined.
- Action: Use a matte contour powder or a bronzer two shades darker than your skin tone. Apply it in the shadows under your collarbones. Then, apply your highlighter to the high points on top of the collarbones.
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Example: Use a small, angled brush to apply a matte bronzer to the natural hollows just below your collarbones. Then, apply a powder highlighter to the highest points of the bones themselves. Blend everything meticulously.
Layering Formulas: The Ultimate Long-Lasting Glow
For a glow that lasts all day and night, try layering different highlighter formulas.
- Action: Start with a liquid or cream highlighter as your base, let it set, and then top it with a powder highlighter.
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Example: Apply a thin layer of a liquid highlighter to your collarbones. Once it’s dry, use a fan brush to gently dust a shimmering powder highlighter over the same area. This intensifies the glow and locks it in place.
Using Different Finishes: The Multidimensional Effect
Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Using a matte bronzer and a pearlescent highlighter, or a glittery powder with a dewy liquid, can create a stunning multidimensional effect.
- Action: Use a highlighter with fine shimmer particles for the main glow, and then a more glittery product for a touch of sparkle on the very highest points.
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Example: Apply a champagne-toned liquid highlighter for a subtle glow. Then, use a small brush to tap a highly reflective, glittery powder highlighter on the very center of each collarbone.
The Final Touch: Setting and Maintenance
You’ve put in the work—now make sure it lasts. A final setting spray will lock everything in place and prevent your masterpiece from fading.
- Action: Hold a setting spray about 8-10 inches away from your body and mist it over your chest and shoulders.
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Example: After you’ve applied all your products, give your chest a light misting with a hydrating setting spray. This not only sets the makeup but also adds an extra layer of dewiness.
Making your collarbones pop with body highlighter is a simple yet transformative personal care practice. By focusing on preparation, choosing the right products, mastering placement, and using the proper tools, you can create a radiant, sculpted look that beautifully accentuates your natural features. It’s all about working with the light to create a stunning, defined glow.