By Hannah Powling
I’ve been on a mission on how to get the best glowy skin. But I don’t mean the glitter-sparkly or sweaty shiny-face type of glow – I mean that luminous, subtle pearlescent sheen that catches your eye when you move in the light and when you see it, you get skin envy. Yep, that kind of glow.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. And I have found some amazing products that’ll help give you just that.
It took me a while but I’ve gotten there – I have oily skin so I have the battle between having the glowy vs. oily skin shine – I’ve tried super moisturising, glowy foundations, as I liked the moist kind of glow. I’ve tried cutting out my setting powder and although these options look lovely freshly applied; come an hour or two, makeup has slid off my face. Also there’s that trouble of possible breakouts from wearing super moisturising/oil based products too. But I have never been a keen fan of glittery glow products – which I find a lot of powder highlighters tend to have, plus I like how creams sink into your skin, and glow from within.
So I resorted back to matte-ish foundations, and setting powders which help my makeup last all day, but I didn’t give up – and I have found some hero products! They will work well with any normal makeup regime, and they also last well on the skin to give the best glow ever.
Although I’ve been going on about oily skin – these products work beautifully on normal to dry skin too. Drier skin types just need some good skin care products, paired up with these finishing touches, to fully nourish your skin.
Hylamide
This next-generation foundation is actually designed to make your natural skin look even, toned, fresh and blurring away any imperfections. It is a light fluid, which comes in three shades – the one I have been using is the ‘Transparent Finisher’ shade. It has golden hues with a subtle sheen
I like mixing a little of this into my foundation when I squeeze it out onto my hand, to get an even glow all over.
NIOD
Niod Photography Fluid is a priming fluid that uses nano-prismatic particles to give the same illusion as that flattering soft-focused filter (think instagram) which reflects the most lovely radiance to give picture-perfect skin. Sounds fancy right? It certainly turns out just as impressive as it sounds.
This translucent serum covers the skin in a fine, light-reflective layer of hue and tone corrector that give an instant and even radiance, that even you bare faced beauties can use this product alone to achieve the perfect canvas, oozing with radiance.
As it is created to capture the perfect skin through the camera lens as well as in life; this would be an ideal bridal make up product, to make every photo captured of you on your big day – your best one.
When you put it on it is such a lovely subtle enhancement, but you can really see how fine the glow particles are when you see it on your fingertips after applying. This formula can also be mixed with other products, for example, if you have dry skin this would be perfect mixed in or applied on top of your freshly applied moisturiser. Its slight yellow tone will even out any redness, or just pop along your cheekbone or under your brow bone as a highlight on the skin.
LUSH
Lush Feeling Younger is an ultra light and creamy, mousse-like textured highlighter. I am rather obsessed with this product, I found it in Lush’s lovely big Oxford Street store and fell in love straight away. It gives a gorgeous golden glow with a touch of pink, making it suitable for most skin tones. It blends in evenly and literally tints you with a youthful gleam.
Like all of Lush’s products, it has a base of beautiful ingredients and this little pot contains soothing oatmeal, cocoa butter, jojoba and almond oils for a nourishing addition that’s good for your skin.
I apply this before I put my setting powder on as it blends and sinks into the skin better because of its mousse-cream texture. I blot it on with my fingertips or a sponge; onto my brow bone, the tops of my cheekbone and a little on my cupids bow – and I’m all good to go. And I’m not joking when I say it lasts all day, even in the cold weather with my oily skin. That’s saying a lot! This is why I am a big fan.
It shows under powder products for an inside-out glow and again would work perfectly mixed into your foundation, concealer or moisturiser.
Bobbi Brown
This Bobbi Brown gem is perfect for anyone that wants fresh illuminated skin that feels smoother, and plumper. It is more of a skincare product providing moisturisation and contains lychee extract to help energise and enliven the skin. The reflective pearls mimic the radiance of a real healthy and glowing skin. Use alone for an illuminating moisturiser, under your foundation for a subtle inner glow, or pat over foundation on key highlight areas for a fresh face.
Love how soft and fine the pearl was, almost a cool-toned sheen. It is also really gorgeous if you’re wearing a low cut top or dress for the party season; rub it in on your neck, shoulders and collar bones.
MUA
MUA’s highlighting powder instantly radiates and lifts any complexion. It is quite yellow-golden – so amazing on dark or tanned skin or used super-lightly on paler skin. It does build up with application to give you different intensities of glow! MUA Iridescent Gold Highlighter has a lot of comparisons to the well-known NARS Albatross… but this one’s only £3! And there’s a lot of product. What a bargain.
So I know this one is a pressed powder and we’ve been on a creamy mission – but this one I found wasn’t all glittery and had a nice even sheen. Use a big soft fan brush to lightly buff onto the tops of your cheekbones and brow bone for a perfectly-placed highlight. Nice and easy.
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