IMAGE: SHOWBIT
Believe it or not, having dull skin is more common than you think. Factors such as stress and environmental pollutants make our skin less than stellar; which is why I rely on makeup to fake a flawless glow once in a while.
The key to pulling off this look is so much easier than you think. You just have to prep your skin really well, so that the fake glow stays on. After that, it’s all about layering the glitter in all the right places.
STEP ONE: PRIME
Yes, it’s no secret that I’m a fan of makeup primers. I can’t understand when people tell me they’re lazy to prime. After all, it’s just like any other step in a skincare routine. If you’re guilty of committing this makeup crime, you need to stop. Priming your face will make your makeup stay put, making sure you don’t risk looking like an oily mess after a few hours.
STEP TWO: PICK THE RIGHT BASE
The title is pretty self-explanatory. No two foundations were made equal, so you need to pick the one that is going to give your face the radiance it needs. Liquid foundations and BB creams work if you have dry skin, but even then, I wouldn’t recommend it. Creams and liquids tend to make the skin look dewy and moist, which may lead to too much glow.
To achieve glowing skin, you want to recreate a complexion that reflects light in all the right places. So as a rule of thumb, pick a powder foundation with a velvet finish (or semi-matte, if you have oily skin).
My current fave is Shiseido’s Sheer and Perfect Compact. The compact foundation was created to give your skin a glowing finish, with ingredients specifically added to enhance your skin’s natural glow. Infused with what Shiseido dubs “glow up powder”, the brand says that this foundation reflects light in all the right places - giving you skin that looks naturally radiant.
STEP THREE: GLOW IT
Now that you’ve set the base, it’s time for the tricky part. Faking a radiant look requires practice - you need to know which parts of your face to highlight without ending up like a pile of glitter. For starters, highlight your cheekbones at the point just above where your blusher usually goes. Then, add a touch of glitter to the bridge of your nose. Pay careful attention to your blending, as you wouldn’t want to leave sharp streaks of luminosity across your face.
For obvious reasons, my weapon of choice are products that have a glittery base (as they give the best glow!). If you fancy a liquid, Nars’ illuminator works superbly well. The lightly-pigmented highlighter gives a soft shimmer to your face, making it very easy to work with. Simply dot a small amount and gently blend it out. As an added bonus, this lightweight liquid doesn’t leave harsh streaks.
Alternatively if you’re more of a powder girl, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour is a great option. Used by the likes of supermodels (Gisele Bündchen, we’re looking at you), a swipe of this powder will illuminate your face instantly. But grab this fast though, this limited edition powder was launched in June, and my beauty insider tells me they are flying off the shelf really quickly!
Nonetheless, go ahead and create that flawless glow. It's a lot easier than you think.
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour SPF15/PA++, $80, is available at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Boutiques and Chanel Beauty Counters. For more information, visit www.chanel.com/fragrance-beauty and follow the brand on Facebook,Twitter, and YouTube.
NARS Illuminator, $45, is available at all NARS counters. For more information, visit www.narscosmetics.com and follow the brand on Facebook and Twitter.
Shiseido Sheer and Perfect Compact, $78 ($55 for refill), is available at all Shiseido counters. For more information, visit www.sg.shiseido.com and follow the brand on Facebook.