Ok ladies. Before we get stuck into my tips on how to achieve glowing skin without really trying, I need to let you in on a little secret.
My skin is riddled with pigmentation. And not just any sort of pigmentation, nope. It’s chock full of the worst kind there is – melasma.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, it’s a type of pigmentation that results in symmetrical, blotchy, brownish marks on your face. Usually on your forehead and cheeks.
The cause of it is complex but there are a few known triggers:
- Sun exposure and sun damage
- Pregnancy
- Hormone treatments such as the contraceptive pill
- Certain medications
- Hypothyroidism (low levels of circulating thyroid hormone)
And wouldn’t you know it, I’ve hit the melasma trigger jackpot. Yes, I can put a big fat tick next to every single one of those triggers. Talk about lucky!
Over the years my melasma has gotten progressively worse. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism didn’t help the situation and then there was my life changing diagnosis of IIH.
The cocktail of medication I had to take – and still do take, although in much lower doses – absolutely hammered my skin. It was left looking dull, dehydrated and more pigmented than ever before.
That pigmentation used to really bother me – some days it still does – and I’ve spent a small fortune over the years trying to get rid of. Yet nothing has worked.
So now, instead of worrying about my skin, I treat my skin in the same way I treat my body – with kindness and acceptance.
I’ve said goodbye to painful skin zapping procedures, and choose to nourish my skin instead hello bettyquette!
I also apply makeup that (hopefully) leaves my skin looking as good as can. Hydrated skin with a natural looking glow is the result I’m striving for. Not flawless perfection, just healthy, happy, hydrated skin.
If a glowing complexion is the makeup look you’re after too, it’s definitely possible and it’s really not that difficult.
How to achieve glowing skin without really trying
Now don’t freak out when you see how many products go into achieving a glowing makeup look. There are quite a few but it only takes me about 10 minutes from start to finish to apply them all.
I don’t use all of those products every day, but when I want to step the glow factor up a notch, this is how I do it.
1. Apply Get Up And Glow
Full disclosure, this is my own skin care brand. I KNOW. I still can’t believe Scott and I have created a skin care brand either! Get Up And Glow is our day face oil. It’s a luxe blend of all-natural plant oils specifically chosen for their ability to enrich and protect your skin. Not only does it nourish and hydrate your gorgeous face, but it’s also a fabulous primer. Simply apply a couple of drops to your face and you’re good to glow!
2. Apply Illuminating Primer by Mecca Cosmetica
Double the glow with a couple of pumps of illuminating primer. Unlike other illuminating primers I’ve tried over the years, this one doesn’t leave your face looking like a shimmering disco ball.
Ok, I’ve just realised I’ve photographed the following two products in the wrong order. So I hope what I’m about to write makes sense…
3. Apply foundation
My foundation of choice is YSL Touche Eclat Le Teint, shade B 50 – shown as number 4 above.
I apply it using a flat head foundation brush and gently dab it into my skin. If it’s a really hot day and my pigmentation has flared up, I’ll apply two layers but most days just one application is enough.
Let the foundation sink into your skin for a couple of minutes before moving onto the next step.
4. Apply concealer
I have quite dark circles under my eyes, so concealer is a must for me. Naked Skin by Urban Decay is my all time favourite concealer – shown as number 3 above. I apply one long stroke of it under each eye using the applicator it comes with. Then I gently dab it into my skin using a concealer brush.
5. Apply an Illuminating Highlighter
If you love that soft, luminous look an illuminating highlighter is the product for you. Insta Strobing by Rimmel* can be mixed with your foundation or applied to areas of your face that naturally catch the light – think your cheekbones or nose.
I prefer to use a blush based highlighter on my cheeks (more on that shortly), but a dash of #002 Gold Glow down the bridge of my nose gives a lovely golden sheen.
6. Set with a light sweep of pressed powder
I apply a light sweep of Jane Iredale pressed powder all over my face. This helps lock in the glow and prevents the foundation from sliding off my face during hot weather.
7. Apply a setting spray
If you live in a tropical climate, a setting spray is a must. Jane Iredale is the setting spray I’m using at the moment. In the past I’ve used Maybelline Master Fix and at $15 from the chemist, it’s awesome.
8. Apply eyeshadow
I do a quick sweep with a soft neutral colour across my eyelids then apply a metallic gold/amber/brown to the lids. Tartlette in bloom is the palette pictured and it’s the only eyeshadows I use at the moment.
Sometimes I apply a brown eyeliner, but not often. During the summer I leave my eyebrows powder free but do run an eyebrow brush through them.
9. Apply mascara
I had high hopes for this Kevyn Aucoin mascara. It’s touted as one of the best when it comes to not leaving marks on your eye lids. My eyelids were mascara free for a few uses, but now they’re back to being hit with mascara again.
10. Apply bronzer, blush and highlighter
This is where the magic happens. Don’t be scared about using three products in the same area of your face. Apply each one very lightly – you can always build the colour up if you want to – and watch the glow take place.
I currently alternate between an hourglass palette and the three Rimmel palettes by Kate Moss* – shown as number 10. The middle shade in each palette is my current choice. Simply apply the bronzer to your cheeks, followed by blush and finally highlighter.
I also apply a very light sweep of highlighter under my eyes. This helps reduces those dark circles a bit and gives an effortless glow to your whole face.
11. Set your look with a sweep of loose powder
I love Nude By Nature’s Mineral Finishing Veil. A quick spray of setting spray can also be applied here if need be.
12. Apply a lip colour of your choice and you’re ready to glow!
Any of the Pout Pop Lipsticks in a sheer finish by Mecca Maxima are my current lipsticks of choice.
*items sent for editorial consideration as per my disclosure policy
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