Get Your Glow On

Sipping french bubbles with Jennifer, we discussed how our favorite face cream was no longer working because our skin still looked so dry.  She speculated on the company changing formulas and we talked about using other brands.  Then it hit me – I had not exfoliated all winter.  Spring is here and we need to be ready!  Fashion week had been full of models and stars who made glowing skin look effortless and natural.  How do they do it?  I know what you are thinking and yes, nature helps but that alone does not do it.  Their trick – they enhance their glow by adding a dab of pearlescent highlighter and finished off with mascara, lipgloss and a good blowout.

Winter adventures are fun: skiing, fireplaces and cozy warm drinks.  But, these things dry out the face, making it look dull and older.  Applying foundation on a dry face can magnify the problem (like when you were a teenager and tried to cover up that zit…).  It is time to get ready for spring break and get that dewy, glowing natural look.

Here is how the models get that look (except we have to do it ourselves): exfoliate, moisturize and highlight.

Before Highlighting – Prep The Skin:

Exfoliate:  After you have cleaned your skin, exfoliate to remove the dead skin.  There are many products which do this.  Some people use an exfoliating cleanser but this may not be enough in the winter/spring seasons.  I like to use  Fresh Sugar Face Polish because it does not cause me to breakout and leaves my skin silky.  You should use what works for your skin.  The best time for exfoliation is before bedtime and not when you have a sunburn.

Moisturize:  Moisturize your face liberally after exfoliating. The winter and spring seasons are a good time to use a heavier cream at night.  It also helps to use a dry oil under that moisturizer.

Add Highlighter To Create The Glow

Set The Stage:  First apply your moisturizer.  Next, add a foundation or tinted moisturizer (I find that even if they say tinted moisturizer, they do not do a two-for-one job).  I like  Jane Iredale, Laura Mercer or La Mer tinted moisturizers.  All have sunscreens.  Jane Iredale and Laura Mercier has many different shades so it is easy to find your perfect match.  La Mer tinted moisturizer contains their Miracle Broth™ which diminishes the look of lines and wrinkles and I love that.

Once you have applied your tinted moisturizer/foundation and added make-up (or just a swipe of mascara), it is time to use a highlighter.  Highlighters come in stick and  cream form.  I like using a stick and am currently using NARS, but you get less precision with sticks.  Cream highlighters can be dotted on and then blended using your pinky finger.

The highlighter should be used above the cheekbones, blended from the top of the cheekbone to the outer corners of the eye, causing a light-catching detail.  You can also add the highlighter to the area right above the eyebrows, or above the upper lip.