I know next to little about the products you use for highlighting, let alone where to highlight. That’s where my friend Celeste comes in. She works for one of my faaavourite danger zones – I mean, hair & beauty stores here and I thought she’d be awesome in sharing her hints and tips about brightening your face and not becoming a human disco ball.
Shiny things are pretty things. When I see something shiny, I am automatically drawn to it. However, when I was in Year 12 at high school (old enough to know better, really) I learnt a valuable lesson.
Never, EVER apply a shiny illuminating product over your whole face. I had bought a Sugar Baby sparkly powder thing after school one day and thought it was just gorgeous. I used the powder puff that came with it to buff the product in to my skin. Come lunch time, I was sitting outside in the courtyard with friends, worshipping the sun, when my sense of bliss was interrupted. ‘Celeste! You’re sweating like a PIG!’ my best friend kindly pointed out to everyone. (Because, you know, teenage girls are so nurturing and warm.) I was horrified. I wasn’t sweating. I was reflective! If you’re a Twilight fan… think of Edward dazzling like a diamond when he is in the sun. Really not the look I was going for.
I ditched the Sugar Baby powder and over the years, learnt about different types of illuminating and brightening products which enhance rather than merely reflect – and are used modestly for an overall look, as opposed to slathered on with reckless abandon.
Working at Adore Beauty, I am lucky enough to be in a position to experience lots of different products. Here are my top picks when it comes to bringing subtle luminosity to the skin… and don’t forget, a lot of it is in the application!
FOR THE FACE
A bit of sheen and luminosity in the right areas can take years off your perceived age. Just start with a light hand, and as you gain confidence and start reeling in the compliments, feel free to experiment a bit more and develop your own signature illuminating look!
1. For someone just starting out – you cannot, CANNOT go past Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This gem of a product is so natural it makes your skin look like it just glows from within. Technically, it’s not an illuminator, but it definitely brightens the tone of your skin. You apply this after moisturising and before applying foundation. You can still use the other products I’ve mentioned for extra ‘oomph’, but this will give your skin a wonderful lift.
2. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector: My favourite shade is Opal. It suits all skin tones. If you have normal/dry skin, you can mix a pump of this in with your tinted moisturiser or foundation for a subtle, dewy look. As I have combination skin, I want to make sure I only have a gorgeous sheen in the right places; cheek bones, cupid’s bow and on the brow bone. I use a very small amount and gently pat on my cheek bones in an upwards motion, towards my outer eyes. Pretty as a picture.
3. Benefit High Beam: This is another sterling product for the cheek bones and cupid’s bow. High Beam comes with a little brush (like nail polish) and you put 3 or 4 tiny dots of this on your cheek bone and gently blend it in. It comes in more compact packaging than the Becca, which makes it preferable for travel – or if you want to take the product out with you, for touch-ups during the evening.
4. St Tropez Radiance Mousse: This is a great highlighter for those who are olive or tanned – whether it is natural or faux. You can use this on your cheeks, down the bridge of your nose, on the brow bone and on your décolletage for a gorgeous glow.
FOR THE EYES
Never underestimate the impact a brightening powder can have when used under your eyes. It will set your concealer (so you won’t go to the bathroom and realise with fright that you have little ‘cracks’ under your eyes, where your concealer has moved into your fine lines), but it will also reflect light which minimises the appearance of dark circles and adds a youthful, ‘well rested’ look. No one wants to look sleepy.
1. Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder: This is a white powder which you apply with a brush (I use the Camouflage Powder Brush – it makes light work of it) after you’ve applied concealer. It will set the conceal beautifully ALLY DAY LONG and it gently brightens the under eye area. This also comes in a big tub – it will last you forever, considering how little you need to use per application.
2. Benefit Powderflage: This little beauty is a very light pink powder, which you lightly apply under the eyes to help conceal any discolouration and fine lines which have begun to appear. It comes with a mini fan brush to apply the product with, and is a very compact container – handy for on-the-go brightening!
3. Becca Bird of Paradise Gloss: You can apply this clear gloss over eye shadows to make them stand out and have that gorgeous glossy, bright look. This nifty little product can also double up as a cheek illuminator, by swiping and blending it over your cheek bones, and you can also use it on your brow bone. It’s also a gorgeous lip balm!
4. Jane Iredale Eye Glosses: The beauty of these eye glosses are they they are gorgeous and shiny and look amazing on; but they won’t crease. If you like the glossy eye shadow look (I love it), you will understand how frustrating it is when you constantly realize you’ve got big creases on your lids! No longer. This stuff is awesome.
FOR THE BROW BONE
1. Benefit High Brow: This is a handy linen-pink pencil which will give the appearance of a lifted brow. It highlights the area and will add a very polished finish to your makeup look. You can add a little bit of High Beam, Becca Bird of Paradise Gloss or Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector on top of this to get a lovely luminous sheen happening.
I hope this little compilation of luminising products helps you discover your most radiant self! Please post a comment if you have any questions – I will get back to you as soon as I can!
x Celeste
Edited to include: Oh! Sidenote – Celeste just created her very own blog here which is awesomely centred around achieving things on a list before she turns 26. Go! Check it out!
popcouturist
popcouturist
popcouturist
popcouturist
