This post is about probably one of my most asked about things, ever! Perfecting that effortless healthy glow, when quite frankly, you feel far from it! Who doesn’t want to look bright and awake, even when (for whatever reason) you’re feeling/ looking quite the opposite and faking it is the only way! We all have days (often longer!) like that when we don’t look or feel our best, but there are plenty of hacks and genius products, that can not only get us looking a hell of a lot brighter…but feeling it too!
I always start by thinking a bit more carefully about my skincare routine. I do try and take care of my skin anyway, but occasional skin laziness (guilty!) can be one of the contributing factors to a dull, lacklustre complexion! When I’m feeling my skin’s looking dull/ not it’s best, I up my exfoliation and mask game. Exfoliation gets rid of all those dead, dull skin cells and a mask will help you get your glow back! So I cleanse as normal (possible future skincare routine blog post maybe?) and then at times when my skin needs a little extra glow boosting, I’ll use (a firm favourite of Kylie Jenner no less) a Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pad (Available from Boots*). These radiance boosting pads are soaked in exfoliating Glycolic Acid, which helps to retexture and resurface your skin.They also contain witch hazel to tone and close pores, Hyaluronic Acid, which refreshes and boosts moisture and blue daisy which smooths and calms. Younger, brighter looking skin? Yes, yes please!
My next step is to get a mask on! It doesn’t even have to eat in to your day, even if you’re short on time, stick it on and by the time you’ve done the rest of your bits and pieces, had breakfast, whatever, it’s rinse off time and your skin’ll look much improved for it. I’ve tried loads of masks, even some much more higher end ones, but I find I always come back to one of my Lush Cosmetics all time favourites…obsessed! The mask in question is their amazing and really effective Mask of Magnaminty (Available from Lush). I love Lush masks, they contain mostly natural and minimal ingredients, so I know exactly what I’m slathering on and no fear of any crazy reactions/ irritations! The Mask of Magnaminty contains peppermint oil to cool and invigorate, honey which is brilliant for it’s moisturisation and antiseptic properties! Kaolin cleanses and gets rid of excess oil, balancing your skin and ground Aduki beans polish and renew, lush…literally!
I just use my regular moisturiser and eye cream. For years I’ve been using this eye cream – Origins Gin Zing eye cream (Available from Boots*) it’s worth a mention in case you’re in the market for a new one…it brightens, depuffs and adds radiance, one of the best out there in my opinion, I’m never without a pot of this stuff!
My next fake bright and awake essential, the name says it all really! It’s the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer (Available from Debenhams*). This will rescue you from your literal hangover, lack of sleep hangover, any hangover time you’re having and make your skin look instantly rehydrated, dewy and radiant. It smells really good, like fresh coconut and applies so smoothly, as well as working brilliantly as a primer it feels like it’s treating your skin too. It’s infused with coconut water (hence the gorgeous fragrance) and other pro biotic skin loving ingredients, can be used alone/ under bronzer or under makeup. It’s basically like a nourishing energy drink for your skin! Winner!
I go in with makeup (if I’m wearing it that day) and buff on some of my favourite BB cream (NYX BB Cream (Available from Boots) or radiant, dewy foundation, which at the moment is the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation (Available from Debenhams*), it has such a gorgeous real skin finish, but great medium buildable coverage! There’s more details about these two base beauties in my Top 5 Foundations blog post if you need more info, which can be found here.
If you’re anything like me when having a less than awake, far from bright day, one of THE most vital bits of makeup is the worth it’s weight in gold, concealer! To spot conceal, go in with a concealer with more of a fuller coverage, creamy consistency, just where you need it! Under my eyes, I like to use a slightly lighter texture concealer with more radiance. Before going in with that, I’ll use a corrector with a peachy tone, this’ll counteract any blue/ grey/ dull under eyes. I usually use the MAC Cosmetics Prep + Prime Highlighter in the shade Bright Forecast (Available from Debenhams*) which is a light peach fluid, also avail in a deeper peach shade if you’re darker toned. NYX Cosmetics also do a great one (NYX Dark circle concealer – Available from Boots*) really affordable too! Over that, I conceal, which under my eyes, is usually the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer (Available from Debenhams*) it’s one of the best I’ve tried, perfection!
Next, you do you when it comes to the rest of your makeup! I’m going to include a few of my essential tips/ hacks to fake bright, awake and effortlessly glowy here, that you might want to add to switch up your makeup routine and get your glow back!
➕ Use a flesh tone eye pencil on your waterline (Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil – Available from Debenhams*) to make your eyes look clearer, wider and brighter.
➕ With a small detail brush, apply a bit of highlighter or a light, shimmery eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes to add in a little pool of light which will bring light and radiance to your whole face.
➕ Always curl your eyelashes before lashings of mascara for a wide awake look.
➕ Highlight the high planes of your face, eg. cheekbones, cupids bow, bridge of the nose and everywhere you’d naturally catch the sun, use a natural matte bronzer (I love this one – Make Up For Ever – Pro Bronze Fusion – Available from Debenhams*) to add health and dimension back in to your face.
➕ A small amount of brighter blush on the apples of your cheeks will make everything pop!
➕ If nothing else, take a few minutes to properly groom your brows, it lifts, makes you look younger and more awake and put together, only you will know if you’re not!
➕ If you have no other time for any other eye makeup, stick of a slick of liner above your upper lash line, even a flick if you’ve mastered it…instantly defines and lifts!
➕ If there’s one thing you pick up, get yourself a MAC Prep+Prime Fix+ (Available from Debenhams*) and spritz yourself at any given opportunity! I’m being serious, ha ha! It’s a lightweight vitamin and mineral infused water spray, to be used before, during and after makeup or on bare skin. It’s infused with green tea, cucumber and chamomile, to instantly smooth and refresh and as well as also giving a moisture boost, it also gives a soft glowy sheen to the skin. It smells incredible and feels so good on the skin, great for travel or just your handbag, it’s an essential in my opinion!
If any of you guys have any fake bright and awake tips and tricks to share, please do!
Lyd x
PLEASE NOTE:
I’m now based in Cork, Ireland. Although I do still take select bookings for North Wales/ Cheshire and Dublin (get in touch for more info) and am available to travel country wide…I’m mainly taking makeup bookings for Cork City and surrounding areas.
As a bridal makeup specialist, I do get booked up well in advance so if you’re looking for wedding makeup in Cork contact me asap to check availability, secure your date and avoid disappointment! I’m freelance and travel to your home/ venue of choice.
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