The Glow-Getters
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Maybe my skin is still trying to recover from winter, perhaps it's Madrid's drier climate, but my skin is looking incredibly dull and lack-lustre as of late. I'm not one to normally notice something like this (despite being a skincare fanatic) so my skin must be pretty damn shocking for me to be this concerned about it. It's so dull that I have been having to use a combination of the above to achieve a more glowing, healthy look that's a tad more weather appropriate (31 degrees baby!) I've managed to narrow it down to a handful of both skincare and makeup brightness-boosting products that will get give you back your natural glow in no time.
Skincare:
To get your glow on you need to start from the bottom and work your way up - basically there's no point slapping on a load of highlighter is your skin isn't up to scratch. I've found that my dull skin is mostly down to my extremely dry skin. So, enter my favourite type of exfoliator, and the one that promises a brightening result; the chemical exfoliator. I've got two favourites; a gentle daily exfoliating toner, then a more heavy duty exfoliating mask for when drastic action is needed;
To get your glow on you need to start from the bottom and work your way up - basically there's no point slapping on a load of highlighter is your skin isn't up to scratch. I've found that my dull skin is mostly down to my extremely dry skin. So, enter my favourite type of exfoliator, and the one that promises a brightening result; the chemical exfoliator. I've got two favourites; a gentle daily exfoliating toner, then a more heavy duty exfoliating mask for when drastic action is needed;
Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner -
This is one of those products that you question whether it's actually doing you any good - and then, BAM - one day you notice the amazing affect it's had. This has not only helped to even out the texture of my skin (bye-bye pesky forehead bumps), but it does what it says on the tin - it exfoliates and awakens your skin. I typically use this 2-3 times a week (2 times if I use a manual exfoliator that week) and it's done my skin a world of good.
This is one of those products that you question whether it's actually doing you any good - and then, BAM - one day you notice the amazing affect it's had. This has not only helped to even out the texture of my skin (bye-bye pesky forehead bumps), but it does what it says on the tin - it exfoliates and awakens your skin. I typically use this 2-3 times a week (2 times if I use a manual exfoliator that week) and it's done my skin a world of good.
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask -
This is the product I turn to when all else fails, when my skin is duller than dull and doesn't show any sign of letting up. After using this, my skin feels revitalised - all plump and full of life. Basically - this is the Clarins exfoliator on steroids, giving your a skin a new lease of life when nothing else is working.
Makeup:
Now this is where the fun starts - you've got your canvas ready and now it's time to add the colour and extra sheen to get you looking fresh-faced and flawless. Here are a couple of my favourite glow-givers to give you a bit of inspiration (or even add to your wish list...)
Now this is where the fun starts - you've got your canvas ready and now it's time to add the colour and extra sheen to get you looking fresh-faced and flawless. Here are a couple of my favourite glow-givers to give you a bit of inspiration (or even add to your wish list...)
Revlon Photoready Skinlights in 001 Bare Light -
This is basically bright skin in a bottle - the perfect balance of sheen and shimmer that will give you an instant glow. Pat it on the high points of your face for a subtle highlighter, of mix it in with your everyday foundation like I do to give it that extra oomph. This product comes in a few different shades that should have everyone covered, no matter what you're after. Want a subtle sheen, a bright highlighter or a bronze-y glow? Revlon's got your back, girl.
This is basically bright skin in a bottle - the perfect balance of sheen and shimmer that will give you an instant glow. Pat it on the high points of your face for a subtle highlighter, of mix it in with your everyday foundation like I do to give it that extra oomph. This product comes in a few different shades that should have everyone covered, no matter what you're after. Want a subtle sheen, a bright highlighter or a bronze-y glow? Revlon's got your back, girl.
Bobbi Brown LE Shimmer Brick in Nude Glow -
Isn't this just a beauty? I received this from my brother at Christmas (well from my mother with my brother's money!) and I was just a touch too pale after my adventures in Russia to pull it off, but now it's making it's debut. A warm, bronze-y peachy powder of summer goodness that will make anyone look like they've been sunning themselves for a month or two. Unfortunately this was LE, but there are a few very similar Shimmer Bricks from Bobbi Brown (Beige and Nectar to name a few) that will give you that same sun-kissed, glow-y look in no time.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light -
There's something about this particular shade of the lovely Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder that just gives my skin such a sun-kissed, radiant glow. This is a tad dark to use all over my face, but swiped over the high points of my face, it is just the ticket. The ultra fine texture of powder is also lovely as you will never look cakey after applying this.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #13 -
This is probably one of my favourite eye products of all time. Not only is it a stunning, eye-opening colour, but it is also completely waterproof. And when I say waterproof, I mean it - I've been swimming with this sucker on! This champagne colour is beautiful and not only great on the eyes, but lovely if applied lightly as a highlighter.
Isn't this just a beauty? I received this from my brother at Christmas (well from my mother with my brother's money!) and I was just a touch too pale after my adventures in Russia to pull it off, but now it's making it's debut. A warm, bronze-y peachy powder of summer goodness that will make anyone look like they've been sunning themselves for a month or two. Unfortunately this was LE, but there are a few very similar Shimmer Bricks from Bobbi Brown (Beige and Nectar to name a few) that will give you that same sun-kissed, glow-y look in no time.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light -
There's something about this particular shade of the lovely Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder that just gives my skin such a sun-kissed, radiant glow. This is a tad dark to use all over my face, but swiped over the high points of my face, it is just the ticket. The ultra fine texture of powder is also lovely as you will never look cakey after applying this.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in #13 -
This is probably one of my favourite eye products of all time. Not only is it a stunning, eye-opening colour, but it is also completely waterproof. And when I say waterproof, I mean it - I've been swimming with this sucker on! This champagne colour is beautiful and not only great on the eyes, but lovely if applied lightly as a highlighter.
What are your go-to glow-getters? Let me know in the comments below!
