At this time of year, makeup is all about fresh colours, healthy-looking skin and highlighted features. But, sometimes we aren't graced with a naturally luminous complexion and our skin needs a little help in the radiance department. I've got a small arsenal of products that I whip out whenever my face is looking dull, so I can achieve that much sought-after glow.
When skin needs a pick-me-up, your best friend can be a hydrating primer and my number one choice is the cult-favourite Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. Not only does the light, creamy formula smooth out and plump the skin, but it helps your base to stay looking flawless for longer. Creating a firming film over the skin, you can feel the refreshing balm instantly tighten and brighten. Signs of fatigue are immediately reduced and the skin is left with a dewy sheen. It's a total miracle worker in a tube!
One of my favourite foundations during S/S, is the YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint Foundation. With a gel-like consistency that isn't too thick, this base is effortless to blend and just melts into the skin. Without having an overly dewy or tacky-feeling finish, this base imparts the perfect amount of radiance so you don't end up looking greasy or sweaty. Providing a light coverage, it simply evens out the complexion and blurs any imperfections, whilst letting your natural skin shine through. As I'm not lucky enough to be blessed with perfect skin, I prefer to wear a sheer base all over my face and concentrate a high-coverage concealer on any small areas of redness or blemishes. That way, skin isn't masked in makeup and your beauty is enhanced, rather than completely camouflaged.
I've mentioned the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders numerous times before, but they really are amazing for creating a luminous look. For my paler skin-tone, the powder trio in the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette provides everything I need to give my skin a boost. 'Dim Light' works as an all-over, face powder, 'Incandescent Light' as a highlight and 'Radiant Light' as a shimmery bronzer to add warmth. Using soft-focus particles, the powders give the skin a lit-from-within effect and never look heavy, dry or chalky. As they're so finely-milled, there's no chunky glitter in any of the powders and they're virtually undetectable on the skin, even in the unforgiving, summer sunshine.
To highlight in strategic places such as the brow-bone, cupid's bow and inner corner of the eye, Benefit's High Brow Glow Pencil works a treat. Having a warm undertone to it, the pearlescent, champagne crayon is more flattering than frosted, white shades. Soft and creamy, the formula glides onto the skin and never drags the delicate, eye area. Blending into a subtle wash of shimmer, it has an almost wet-look effect on the skin, but is less harsh than a powder highlight, making it great for both day and night. As the product is in pencil form, it's mess-free and so quick to use, too.
To add some colour to the cheeks and keep that glossy sheen to the skin, cream blush is ideal. The Stila Convertible Colour Cream Blushes have a smooth, creamy texture and strong pigmentation. A little goes a long way with these and I find that a duo-fiber, stippling brush is the best tool to apply the colour, to prevent accidentally going overboard. Many cream blushes dry down to a powder texture on the skin, but Stila's version stays looking dewy, which I love. If you're in a rush, then the versatile Convertible Colors can also be used on the lips, to add a hint of a tint. Who doesn't love a multi-use product?
Which products do you rely on to get glowing skin?
AGB X
AGB X
21 comments
I love re sound of the Clarins Flash beauty balm, it's a product that I've urmed and ahhed about for a while now and you've now reminded me again. Haha. The Ambient Loghting Powders also look amazing, I'd love to own one myself.
ReplyDeleteKristy | www.thevioletblonde.com
Yeah, it's a classic that gets mentioned all the time and since I bought it, I've used it non-stop! You should try and get a sample! :) x
DeleteGreat post! I really want to try the hourglass ambient lighting palettes they just look stunning!! I've been getting a bit more into eyebrows recently so high brow is definitely on my list! x
ReplyDeleteToni x
clarkecouture.blogspot.co.uk
They're so gorgeous, I'd highly recommend them! I also can't wait to get my hands on the Ambient Lighting Bronzers! x
DeleteI can see how you would create a glowing skin makeup look with these products as they all look fantastic and have some sort of light reflecting pigment to them. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm has been on my wish list for quite some time now, it really is about time I treat myself to it x
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
They are all just gorgeous! You should definitely make a purchase, or at least try and get a sample, it's such an amazing, cult product! x
DeleteI love glowy skin but I'm so oily that I just can't make it work for me :(
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, I had to wear everything totally matte when my skin was super oily, during my teens. Now, it's done a complete 180 and I need as much glow as I can get! haha x
DeleteI really love Benefit's Dandelion blusher for a subtle glow. I really want to try that Hourglass palette - looks so nice x
ReplyDeletevvnightingale.blogspot.co.uk
I love the Benefit box powders, but I haven't tried that one! It's gorgeous :) x
DeleteI really love the Color Convertible Blushes - they're amazing xx
ReplyDeleteGemma | missmakeupmagpie.com ♡
I totally agree! x
DeleteI much prefer glowing skin over matte formulas, I find it makes me look a bit more awake and 'fresh'? Thanks for sharing your go-to products here, I always love to see what other people use to achieve the look :)
ReplyDeleteStyle Sunrise ☀
:)
x
Me too, my skin is dry and dehydrated so matte formulas make me look like a shriveled, old prune! haha No problem :) x
DeleteI haven't got round to trying the Hourglass powders, they're forever on my list but I want to swatch them before I buy. I'm really pale, like porcelain skin, what one would you recommend? Sarah x
ReplyDeleteYou need to go and have a swatch at a counter, they're amazing! I use the 'Diffused Light' shade, which is very light and suits my alabaster, winter skin. Hope that helps! x
DeleteAwesome, thank you, lovely :) x
DeleteI love glowy skin in the summer :) Great makeup picks!
ReplyDeleteRachelShuchatMakeup
Me too! x
DeleteYou've definitely sold me the Hourglass trio! I've been looking for a highlighting powder for ages and these look perfect!
ReplyDeleteBowie-xx
Disastersofatwentysomething.com xx
Well I hope you're impressed if you make a purchase! :) x
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x