January is one of those months where no-one knows what to do. Do we hibernate or do we go out? Do we go to the gym or do we go to the bar? Do we order Dominos or do we cook that sugar-free, carb-free ‘I’ll be skinny for summer’ meal? Whatever we decide, I think we can all agree that our skin can look a bit dull in January. Short dark days with little sunshine do not make for that glowy ‘has she just been on holiday?’ look. So here are my favourite products to give your skin a faux glow.
THE EXFOLIATOR – MAGNITONE BAREFACED
Your skin will not glow (faux or real) if you have a layer of dead skin cells sitting on the surface of your skin – EXFOLIATING IS KEY!!
My favourite method of exfoliating is my Magnitone, it’s suitable for daily use (I sometimes use mine twice a day). The brush is silly smooth, non-abrasive and non-irritating. Pop a dot of your favourite cleanser on the damp brush and let it remove any build up on your skin in a quick minute so you can make sure you have a perfectly smooth canvas for your products.
The Rose Quartz Magnitone Barefaced is currently on offer at Boots.
THE TAN – JAMES READ SLEEP MASK
Now I am not a fake tan fan. There is too much room for error in a process that takes more time than I have patience for.
So when I heard about the James Read Sleep Tan Mask I had to try it – could this be the product to change my mind? Fast forward one year and the answer was clearly YES as this has now become a beauty cupboard staple for me.
It is a foolproof gradual tan, I emphasise the word gradual, don’t assume you’re going to transform from Pale Patty to Bronzed Becky overnight. But that’s why I love it, it’s subtle, non-greasy, non-streaky, non-smelly, non-transferrable in fact it’s non-everything I hate about fake tan. If you do want a stronger colour, it’s buildable with nightly application and check this out – it’s also skincare!
Enriched with skin beautifying ingredients to deliver a subtle, golden glow by morning. Sleep Mask Tan is infused with Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Algae Extract to leave skin hydrated and moisturised, as well as ensuring your tan lasts longer and fades away evenly. It is a super-fast drying colourless gel that you can quickly apply all over your face and neck then lay your head down without worrying it’s going to leave streaks all over your bed linen.
Shop here.
THE BRONZER – SOLEIL TAN DE CHANEL
I couldn’t leave this cult beauty icon out. Creamy textures are the one when you going for a faux glow, and Soleil Tan De Chanel is the perfect product for this. Although it doesn’t have any ‘glow’ as such, it will create a beautifully lightweight base that adds to the natural glowy look. It’s a creamy velvet texture that blends and build so well, used on it’s own or over foundation. Buff with a brush into your skin until you have achieved your desired colour.
Shop here.
THE STROBE CREAM – MAYBELLINE MASTER STROBING STICK
I am OBSESSED with this strobe stick from Maybelline. I fell in love with it first of all because of it’s creamy, luxurious finish comparable to Nars ‘The Multiple’ second of all because of the price and lastly because the first day I put it on, hours later I went to the cinema with Zack and he told me I was ‘glowing’. Swoon! I saw this in one of Melissa Alatorre’s videos and immediately wanted to try it, I’m so glad I did. It is a creamy stick that I apply to the high points of my cheek bones after my primer/before foundation to make it more subtle and give that added ‘glow’ dimension.
There are two shades. I have it in 100 Light Iridescent, it is also available in the warmer/bronzier tone Medium Nude.
Shop here.
THE BLUSHER – DANIEL SANDLER WATERCOLOUR FLUID BLUSHER
This blush is amazing and perfect for the faux glow. Powder blushes don’t always work with the glowy, natural look as they can be quite heavy and matte. And if you’re oily skinned like me you might be a bit scared of cream blusher that might slip straight off your face. This is the perfect solution, it is a multi-award winning liquid, waterproof blush that is simple to blend and build up colour. The silicone base ensures it doesn’t budge from your face (If you are a bride doing your own makeup, I would definitely recommend this!). It is instant radiance for all skin types. Shade ‘Spicey’ is my favourite because it has that warm, bronzy ‘I just stepped of the beach’ feel.
Shop here.
THE HIGHLIGHTER – URBAN DECAY AFTERGLOW
URBAN DECAY SIN & MAYBELLINE MASTER STROBE STICK
I would always finish with a powder product in any look because of my skin type, it juts helps to set the look and make it last. The Urban Decay Afterglow highlighters are designed for the long haul (8 hours) which is perfect for oily skin girls (or for a bride that wants her makeup to last!). I love this highlighter! It is finely milled so gives a soft highlight rather than a shimmery/glittery highlight. Sin is a gorgeous champagne shade that works well with my skin tone – you can be light handed with it as it is fully pigmented. If you want to use it as a strong pigment it doubles up as a beautiful eyeshadow or eyeshadow base.
Shop here.
