Summer is the season of endless rays and gorgeous bronzed complexions. After weeks of sun and fun, we’re not ready to say goodbye to our mid-summer glow, and why should we have to? Fall’s cooler temps rob your face of its natural moisture, so plumping your skin with skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid—a humectant that can hold over 1,000 times its weight in water—prior to applying makeup, will help all of your highlighting products shine brighter. Here, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to hold onto that luxurious, warm weather luminance long beyond your final summer long weekend. Go on, treat yo’ self!
STEP 1: LAY IT ON THIN
Start by warming up a hydrating serum in your hands to bring the formula to body temperature, which helps with absorption. Next, press the serum onto your face, neck and décolletage with your palms.
Try: Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Bi-phase Serum
STEP 2: PRETEND YOU’RE AT THE SPA
After the serum is fully absorbed, apply a lightweight gel-cream rich in hyaluronic acid. For a mini-facial effect, leave on a generous amount for five minutes and then gently dab off.
Try: Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto Replenishing Hydrator
STEP 3: STEP IN THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
For a luminous complexion, choose a hydrating foundation that’s oil-free, to ensure it won’t cause breakouts. A medium coverage formula can be built up to cover imperfections where you need it, and for a sheer finish, simply warm up a small amount within your fingertips before applying.
Try: Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation
STEP 4: STROBE TROT
Choose a finely milled, light-diffusing powder to achieve soft, believable highlights. Lightly sweep onto the high planes of your face such as above the eyebrows, along the upper cheekbones, along the bridge of your nose and on the point of your chin.
Try: Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter
STEP 5: LASH-A-FRAZZ
Next, choose a mascara with a jumbo brush to bring out all your little lashes. A waterproof formula ensures the lush effect stays put all day and night.
Try: Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara
STEP 6: PAMPER YOUR POUT
Glide on a hydrating lip balm infused with antioxidant ingredients, not unlike those found in top shelf skin care.
Try: Nars Afterglow Lip Balm
STEP 7: WOW YOUR BROWS
Brows shouldn’t be any stranger to contouring, since they naturally have areas of highlight and shadow. To create dimension, use the deepest shade to fill in the centre area; mid-tones to edge and define, blending into the darker area; and the lightest hue to brighten the arch area.
Try: Benefit Brow Contour Pro 4-in-1 Pencil
STEP 8: SPRAY AND LET IT STAY
Finish with a fine mist of setting spray (preferably with energizing ingredients like caffeine) to lock in your luminous look come rain or shine.
Try: GLAMGLOW Glowsetter Makeup Setting Spray
