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Let it glow

We’ve long paid heed to a ‘more is more’ aesthetic when it comes to our makeup cabinets after all, a girl can never have too many products, right? And while that may certainly be true, luminous skin has become a trend of its own and, rather than adding layers of makeup, the pared back look is making a serious return.

 

 

Less truly is more when it comes to achieving a luminous glow, so it might be time to ditch the heavy foundation and contouring palette and dig out your illuminating products. We’re all about soft, shimmery highlights with a hint of bronzer on a base of flawless, hydrated skin for a radiant, dewy look.

HIGHLIGHTS
Until recently, contouring was the hottest thing in makeup. Now we’re all about the highlights. While they both have the same end goal, highlighting is all about giving lift and dimension to the skin. This is done by using illuminating products a shade lighter than your natural skin tone on the high points of your face – think cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, brow bone and the upper centre of your forehead.

RISE AND SHINE
Keeping shine at bay can be tricky, especially when using highlighting products on the skin. If you have oily or combination skin, using a mattifying product on the T-zone or switching to a powder foundation will help to keep the centre of your face from becoming greasy. However, if dry skin is your Achilles heel, a hydrating primer with a pearl radiance will glow through your base.

 

You glow girl!

This year ‘luminous’ is the hottest buzzword in the beauty world and we’re all about getting our glow on. Check out four ways to get your glow on.

  1. Healthy, luminous skin is more than just, well, skin deep. You’ve heard it before and it cannot be over-emphasised – water is your skin’s best friend… but plastic is not, so ditch the traditional water bottle and opt for glass or BPA-free plastic, at the very least.
  2. Maintaining a good skincare regime is key to fresh, glowing skin. Skincare experts recommend double cleansing before bed to ensure all makeup and dirt is removed. Don’t forget to tone, moisturise (AM and PM) and exfoliate too! Exfoliating two to three times per week helps to get rid of blackheads, dead skin cells and other skin impurities.
  3. Investing in a quality retinol serum will help banish breakouts, reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen and promote cellular turnover – all the tricks in the book to get the glow of your dreams! Just remember to apply sunscreen daily (though you should do anyway) as retinoids increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
  4. Ahh, the trusty makeup product invented solely for glowing skin – highlighter! Liquid highlighters are picking up the pace in 2020 and it’s no longer just about the cheekbones… now highlighting begins with the base. Radiance drops and tinted moisturisers with a glowing finish are two such products that can be applied before makeup to give you the glow you’re lusting after.

 

Get your glow on

We’re heading into a new working year – it’s time to refresh, rejuvenate and replenish before we’re dragged back to the daily grind. How about a facial massage for a healthy glow? We explore the benefits.

 

Just like the rest of your body, facial muscles (all 43 of them!) require exercise to keep you looking toned, younger and healthier – and that’s why many beauty experts recommend incorporating regular facial massage into your daily skincare routine to maximise anti-aging benefits.

Facial massages primarily increase blood and oxygen flow to the face, which:

  1. Increases the production of collagen – your body’s own anti-aging ‘serum’.
  2. Allows the skin to work more efficiently, increasing the absorption of skincare products. Exfoliating before a facial massage increases this further. We recommend doing this before bed so the product can absorb overnight without any additional coverage (like makeup or sunscreen).
  3. Stimulates the lymph nodes, which flush out fluids and toxins that congest the skin and cause under-eye bags/dark circles.
  4. Relieves tension in the facial muscles, stopping wrinkles in their tracks. Focus gently on the soft lines around the mouth, eyes and eyebrows for maximum results.
  5. Can help to alleviate stress! According to a study in the journal Biomedical Research, facial massage activates the sympathetic nervous system, which reduces anxiety levels and uplifts mood.

TOP TIP: Always use upward circular motions – you want to work against gravity, so everything goes up!