BE DEWY
IT'S ONLY BEEN COLD FOR TWO DAYS AND ALREADY MY SKIN IS FEELING IT. DRY, RED, CHAPPED - NOT A GOOD LOOK AT ALL. SO, I'VE TURNED TO PRODUCTS THAT CLAIM TO MAKE MY SKIN RADIANT, DEWY AND LUSTROUS. SOME HAVE WORKED, SOME HAVE JUST MADE ME LOOK LIKE A GREASY MESS. HERE ARE THE ONES I LOVE.
The Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer ($55) is, according to Tilbury, a miracle fix to turn around tired, dull, dehydrated skin in a flash. It’s powered by a breakthrough Fluorescent Core Light Diffuser that “steals UV light from its surroundings and re-emits it as skin luminosity” which sounds super hi-tech but actually is just a fancy of way of saying that it will disguise and transform drab, sleep-deprived skin.
No parabens, sulfates or phthalates, the Becca Backlight Priming Filter ($38) is a great primer for sensitive skin. The glow here comes from crushed pearls, and the consistency is kind of a whipped lightweight fluid. Whatever any of that means, what I know is that it minimizes lines and wrinkles and gives you a healthy glow.
The Illamsqua Satin Primer ($36) is lightweight and moisturizing with Vitamin E added in for a little extra oomph. It really locks your foundation, but can also be worn alone for a natural, dewy effect. Or, if you want to lighten the load of your foundation, mix a little into it and prepare for perfection.
I love to use this Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere ($39) on cheeks for an added glow on top of whatever else I’ve put on my face. My favorite is the “sheen” color, which blurs imperfections and evens out skin tone. It also comes in a tube small enough to keep in your bag for a little dewy boost anytime of day or night.
Facial oil is kind of controversial, and while I’m still unsure what side of the fence I’m on, what I do know is that I’m in love with this Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil ($42). It’s much lighter than your typical facial oil, absorbs in seconds, and leaves behind a youthful, dewy finish. Plus, it has 15 essential and lipid-rich plant oils that make it really good for you, too.
The Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer ($43) is a cult favorite and for good reason. First of all it has an SPF of 30. Second of all, it acts a moisturizer. So there’s the fact that you’ve just cut down your morning routine by two steps. But the real beauty of this product is in the finish. It’s not heavy at all, melts into skin and leaves behind a perfectly luminous and radiant glow.
I'm old, but not THAT old, so you can imagine how hard it is to admit that I love a product by Estée Lauder. But I do! The Double Wear To Go Compact ($45) is awesome for a few reasons: For starters, the makeup comes out into the compact via the touch of a button, and from there you put it directly onto the sponge or a brush, so no hand contact which means less germ-y application. But the real love is for the incredible hydration it gives. It has an intense tri-moisture complex and leaves skin looking smooth and natural with a great glow.
Another brilliant tinted moisturizer that does so much more, the Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer ($69), is a versatile 3-in-1 product that perfects skin. It provides great coverage, has some serious anti-aging benefits and offers an SPF of 15. The finish isn’t quite as glowy as some others, but it is hydrating and has a super lightweight texture that dries to a luminous finish.
Dr Perricone is known for his serious anti-aging products, but what I love him for is his “No Makeup Makeup” line, specifically the No Foundation Foundation Serum ($60). It has an SPF 30, is sheer as can be yet covers flawlessly, all the while making sure no one knows you’re wearing anything at all. Equally as sensational is the No Blush Blush ($35) which adds just a hint of dewy color and a perfect flush.
Giorgio Armani has long been known for his incredible foundations, which are all modeled from fabrics and textures, so they are silky, lightweight and gorgeous. His newest, the Maestro Glow ($64), is no exception and might actually be my new favorite, especially for winter. It’s a bi-phase elixir, which means it combines skincare oils with pure pigments to create an incredibly nourishing, sheer glow finish.
The key to a dewy look is to stay away from powders, so I like to use a cream blush. Some can be thick and difficult to work with, but the Beach Sticks from Charlotte Tilbury ($45) are the perfect consistency. They glide on, blend seamlessly and give you the perfect amount of glow. And they can also be used on lips. Formentera is a great all around berry blush color and the Ibiza is perfect for a bronze glow
Chantecaille Cheek Gelée ($39) comes in one shade: happy. And it is just that. It’s a hydrating gel-cream that is somewhere between a sheer wash of color and a stain. And the color is a perfect shade of radiant, youthful, windswept glow.
Rosewater sprays have been a long-time favorite for a quick hit of hydration, but this Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater from Mario Badescu ($12) takes it to a whole new level. So there’s rosewater, obviously, but the addition of herbs and aloe means there’s even more good stuff to help hydrate. This spray also works to set makeup and can undo the damage of indoor heat and outdoor cold.
Another powerhouse facial spray, the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48) is full of squalane, red algae and a HADASEI-3 complex, which, while I have no clue what it means, sounds intense. What I do know is that it’s a great hydrator and leaves a subtle glow behind.
Talk about powerhouse products, the Virgin, Organic, 100% pure Nilotica East African Shea Butter ($24) seems to be the cure-all for any skin ailment you might have. Great for ragged cuticles and dry hair, I love it as a makeup setter. It’s super moisturizing, adds a subtle glow and won’t clog pores. Just heat a teeny bit in your palms and press into your skin as a last step. Your skin will thank you.
