By BR Amelia.
One of the biggest beauty buzzwords of 2018 is going to be glow. 2017, aka The Year of Matte, is well and truly behind us leaving us looking in the mirror to see dewy, hydrated and healthy skin. Trust us. 2018 will be The Year of Glow.
If you’re relying solely on a foundation to lift dull skin and achieve a glowing finish, listen up. To get the most out of your illuminating foundation, you want to infuse glow throughout your skincare and makeup routine. It’s easier than you think – follow these 6 simple steps and you’ll be glowing all day long!
1. Protect.
You need to protect your skin from the sun every day. Every. Single. Day. Protected skin will be healthy, smooth and more even, providing you with the perfect base to get your glow on. So always start the day by applying SPF.
We know, we know, it's hard finding a good facial sunscreen. That’s why products with added SPF can be a godsend. Look for SPF in things like moisturiser, primer and foundation and you’ll be layering SPF without even thinking about it. It’s a skin saver. And, maybe even a life saver.
2. Exfoliate.
Dry or flaky skin will not glow, no matter what you put on top! Incorporate an exfoliator into your weekly skin care routine – don’t go for a coarse product, you just need to use a gentle scrub, regularly. Insider tip… L'Oréal are releasing a range of sugar scrubs in March - The Glow Face Scrub combines three sugars and the brightening properties of Grape Seed Oil for radiant, baby-soft skin.
3. Moisturise.
After cleansing and applying your favourite facial oil or serum you’ll want to moisturise well. You don’t need to use a thick moisturiser, look for a light but hydrating product. Apply it and let it absorb fully before moving on to the next step.
4. Prime.
All together now. It’s a crime not to prime! Priming smooths and evens skin tone and texture creating the perfect canvas for your foundation. Look for an illuminating primer for extra glowy oomph – Primer-obsessed BR editor Natalie is raving about the Glowizard Primer.
5. Foundation.
Here we go. Perhaps the most important step in creating glowing skin. But with so many foundations on the market, how do you find the one that will make you glow?!
First up you’re going to want to look for a formula that will offer the finish you want. Look for words such as; illuminating, glow, dewy. Chances are you’ll find these on a liquid foundation, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow. See it’s right there in the name!
Our reviewers have been raving about this foundation and we can see why! It’s a light and creamy product that’ll work for so many different skin types. You can apply it lightly for a sheer look and easily build up the layers to a medium coverage.
This isn’t just a great formula for normal skin, but also for ageing or mature skin. It’s not heavy which means its not going to sink into your wrinkles, an instant glow-killer. And for those with dry skin, being so light and hydrating means it won’t end up cakey and dull a few hours in. For those who want their makeup to last the day and then some, this formula is long wear – it won’t sweat or rub off as the day goes on, and it will not go greasy!
6. Highlight.
The step most people use to get glowing skin should in fact just be a finishing touch.
By following the previous 5 steps you’ll already have luminous skin. Finish up by sweeping highlighter across the brow, cheek bones, Cupid's bow and décolletage. Do not go crazy with the highlight; you simply want to accentuate your features, not make them beam.
Our top highlighter tip is even if your highlighter boasts concealing properties, don't use it to cover things you want to hide, like a blemish or spot. The light reflecting particles will draw attention to it, and you don't want everyone looking at Mount Vesuvius, do you?!
So there you have it – the 6 steps to follow to help you get the most out of your glow foundation. Do you regularly use an illuminating foundation? How’s it working for you? Have you learnt anything new?
Get chatting below!
Oh, and if you’re curious about the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow foundation, you can read reviews here. They’re positively…glowing!
I haven't been using a dewy foundation because I have another foundation that needs to get used up. However, I find that going over your makeup with some of the Hourglass Ambient Powders after you have done all your makeup really makes it look radiant.