A Definitive Guide to Strobing the Inner Corners of Your Eyes
The inner corner highlight is a small, yet mighty, detail that can completely transform your makeup look. It’s the secret to faking a full night’s sleep, making your eyes appear larger and more open, and adding a touch of luminous, ethereal light to your face. While the concept seems simple, the execution is where many people get it wrong. This in-depth guide will show you how to master the art of strobing the inner corners of your eyes, turning a common makeup step into a powerful technique.
This isn’t just about a swipe of shimmer. We’re going to dive into the specifics: the right tools, the perfect products, and the precise techniques that professional makeup artists use to create that flawless, lit-from-within glow. Forget long, confusing explanations. We’ll provide you with a clear, actionable roadmap, full of concrete examples, so you can achieve a stunning, bright-eyed look every single time.
Section 1: The Essential Toolkit – Assembling Your Strobing Arsenal
Before you even think about applying product, you need to have the right tools and products on hand. Trying to strobe with the wrong brush or a poorly formulated highlighter is a recipe for a muddy, uneven mess. Here’s a breakdown of what you need and why.
The Right Brushes: Precision is Paramount
The key to a flawless inner corner highlight is precision. You need to place the product exactly where you want it without it straying onto your lash line or tear duct. This requires a small, dense brush.
- The Pencil Brush: This is the workhorse of inner corner highlighting. Its dense, tapered tip allows for precise placement and easy blending. Look for one with firm, synthetic bristles that won’t absorb too much product. Concrete Example: Use a pencil brush to pick up a small amount of highlighter and press it directly into the inner corner, then use the tip to blend upwards and slightly onto the lower lash line.
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The Small, Flat Shader Brush: A small, flat brush can be great for packing on an intense shimmer. It provides a concentrated application of product, which is ideal if you want a high-impact, foiled look. Concrete Example: Dampen a small, flat shader brush with setting spray, dip it into a metallic eyeshadow, and gently pat the product onto the inner corner for a blinding, reflective effect.
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The Detail Brush: For the ultimate in precision, a very fine-tipped detail brush is your best friend. This is perfect for those who want to be incredibly meticulous or have smaller eyes where a larger brush would be too much. Concrete Example: Use a detail brush to place a tiny dot of highlighter right at the very inner point of your eye, creating a pinpoint of light.
Choosing the Perfect Product: Powders, Creams, and Liquids
The type of product you choose will dictate the intensity and finish of your highlight. There’s no single “best” option; it all depends on the look you’re going for.
- Loose Powder Highlighter: These are often the most intense and reflective. A little goes a very long way. They are perfect for a bold, glamorous look. Concrete Example: Dip your pencil brush into a small amount of loose powder highlighter, tap off the excess, and press it into the inner corner for a high-wattage shine.
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Pressed Powder Highlighter: This is the most common and versatile option. It’s easier to control than loose powder and comes in a huge range of finishes, from subtle sheen to blinding glitter. Concrete Example: Swirl a pencil brush into a pressed powder highlighter, tap off the excess, and apply it with a light pressing motion to build up the intensity.
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Cream or Liquid Highlighter: These products are fantastic for a dewy, natural-looking glow. They melt into the skin and can be applied with your finger or a dense brush. Concrete Example: Use a clean fingertip to lightly dab a small amount of liquid highlighter onto the inner corner, then gently pat it to blend seamlessly into your skin and foundation.
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Shimmery Eyeshadow: Don’t feel limited to just highlighters. A light-colored, shimmery eyeshadow can work just as well. Look for shades like champagne, ivory, or a soft gold. Concrete Example: Use a small shader brush to pack a pearlescent eyeshadow onto the inner corner for a softer, more integrated glow.
Section 2: The Step-by-Step Method – A Flawless Inner Corner Highlight, Every Time
This is where we get into the nitty-gritty. Forget a simple “apply highlighter here” instruction. We’re breaking down the process into actionable steps, with specific techniques to ensure a perfect, long-lasting result.
Step 1: Prepping the Area – A Clean Canvas
The first rule of any successful makeup application is a prepped surface. For your inner corner, this means ensuring the area is clean and free of any excess foundation, concealer, or powder.
- The Technique: After applying your foundation and concealer, use a clean, dry cotton swab to gently wipe the very inner corner of your eye. This removes any product that might have settled there, preventing a muddy or cakey finish. Concrete Example: Gently roll a dry cotton swab in the inner corner where your top and bottom eyelids meet, just before you start your eye makeup. This creates a clean space for your highlight to shine.
Step 2: Choosing Your Shade – The Perfect Match
The color of your highlighter matters more than you think. A shade that is too dark or too warm can look dull, while one that is too white or silver can look stark and unnatural.
- For Fair to Light Skin Tones: Look for shades with a pearlescent or champagne undertone. A light, icy pink can also be stunning. Avoid anything with a strong gold or bronze base, as it can appear muddy. Concrete Example: Use a champagne-colored highlighter with a subtle pink shift for a delicate, brightening effect.
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For Medium to Tan Skin Tones: Golden, bronze, and peach-toned highlighters will beautifully complement your skin. A true gold will pop without looking stark. Concrete Example: A light, golden highlighter will provide a warm, radiant glow that looks natural and luminous.
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For Dark to Deep Skin Tones: Rich golds, bronzes, and copper tones will look incredible. Avoid anything with a white or silver base, as it can look ashy. Concrete Example: A rich, coppery-gold highlighter will add a powerful, beautiful light to the inner corner without looking out of place.
Step 3: Application Technique – The Press and Blend Method
This is the most crucial step. How you apply the product will determine whether you get a soft, diffused glow or a blinding, metallic flash.
- The Base Application: Using your pencil brush, pick up a small amount of product. Tap off any excess on the back of your hand. This is non-negotiable, as it prevents fallout and ensures you don’t over-apply. Concrete Example: Gently press the brush directly into the inner corner, right at the tear duct. Use a light, dabbing motion to apply the color.
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Creating the “V” Shape: The key to a professional-looking inner corner highlight is extending the product slightly. This isn’t just about a dot of light. The product should be applied in a subtle “V” shape, following the natural curve of your eye. Concrete Example: Start at the inner corner and use the tip of the pencil brush to extend a small line of highlight upwards, along the side of your nose, and a small line downwards, onto the first quarter of your lower lash line. This subtle V-shape opens up the eye beautifully.
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The Gentle Blend: After the product is placed, use a very light touch to blend the edges. You don’t want a harsh line; you want the highlight to seamlessly melt into your eyeshadow or skin. Concrete Example: Use a clean, fluffy blending brush or your fingertip to lightly pat the edges of the highlight, softening them so there are no visible lines.
Step 4: Intensifying the Effect (Optional)
If you’re going for a more dramatic look, you can layer products to increase the intensity.
- The Cream and Powder Layer: For the most luminous, long-lasting highlight, start with a cream or liquid highlighter and then layer a powder on top. Concrete Example: After applying a small dab of liquid highlighter and blending it out, use a pencil brush to lightly press a matching powder highlighter on top. This “locks” the cream in place and provides a multi-dimensional shine.
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The Damp Brush Technique: For a truly foiled, metallic look, dampen your brush with a setting spray before dipping it into the product. This makes the pigment more vibrant and reflective. Concrete Example: Spritz your pencil brush with a setting spray until it’s just damp (not soaking wet), then dip it into a pressed powder or loose pigment. Apply this with a gentle pressing motion for a blinding, wet-looking shine.
Section 3: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even with the best techniques, things can go wrong. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid or fix them.
Mistake 1: Using Too Much Product
This is the number one reason an inner corner highlight can look cakey or unflattering. A heavy hand leads to a gloppy, unblended mess.
- The Fix: Always start with a tiny amount of product. You can always add more, but it’s very difficult to take it away without ruining the rest of your eye makeup. Concrete Example: If you accidentally apply too much, use a clean, dry blending brush to gently sweep away the excess. If it’s a liquid or cream, a clean cotton swab can help blot it away.
Mistake 2: The Wrong Placement
Placing the highlight too far onto the bridge of the nose or too close to the actual tear duct can look unnatural.
- The Fix: Focus the product on the “V” shape we discussed earlier, right where the upper and lower lash lines meet. Avoid placing it directly in the watery part of your tear duct, as this can cause the highlight to break down and look messy. Concrete Example: If you notice the highlight is straying too far onto your nose, use a small blending brush with a tiny amount of skin-toned eyeshadow to soften the outer edge of the highlight.
Mistake 3: The Wrong Product Texture
Using a chunky, glittery highlighter can be unflattering for the inner corner, especially in natural light. It can look like a disco ball instead of a luminous glow.
- The Fix: Opt for products with a smooth, finely-milled texture. Look for words like “pearlescent,” “sheen,” or “satin” rather than “glitter” or “sparkle.” Concrete Example: If you only have a chunky glitter eyeshadow, try applying it with a very light hand and blending it out thoroughly, or use a cream base underneath to help the glitter adhere without looking too separate.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of strobing the inner corners of your eyes is a game-changer. It’s a subtle yet impactful technique that elevates any makeup look, whether you’re going for a natural, everyday glow or a full-glam, dramatic look. By assembling the right tools, choosing the perfect products, and following these precise, actionable steps, you can achieve a flawless, bright-eyed finish every single time. It’s all about precision, the right product, and a light hand. Now you have all the knowledge you need to create that lit-from-within glow that will make your eyes pop and leave you looking refreshed and radiant.