Catching that Glow

Hi Girls! H – A – P – P – Y Spring! I’m so happy It’s finally here! I have been just soaking up the sun and staying outside as much as possible! It felt like spring would never come, didn’t it?

One of my main goals as a Makeup Artist and Esthetician for myself and for all my clients is to make skin look and feel its best! I love nothing more than a fresh, dewey , glowing complexion! It makes anyone look healthy and hydrated. Isn’t that what we are all looking for anyways? As spring was approaching I became obsessed with glow – enhancing products. Weather it be a rich moisturizer, a wet highlight or a soft glowing powder! I love it all.

The fun thing about my job is that it literally is my “job” to play with products and test them all out to see what will work best for my clients.Searching what what would be great for any occasion, weather it be a family photo session or as big as a wedding day, I get to take the time and play with products to make you look and feel your best on your special day!

There are so many things a product can do , and there are so many ways you could apply a product to get a different effect. I wanted to touch on a few types of highlighter and the different uses before I list my current favorites!! A lot of clients I have seen recently have had so many questions and I hope that this may help you too when shopping around for your perfect – Glow Enhancing Product!

• Liquid Highlighter – I absolutely love a good liquid highlighter and there are so many on the market currently! When applied correctly they can truly give you that hydrated, natural glowing complexion that we all look for. For application I would recommend using your fingers, a damp beauty blender or a super dense synthetic brush. Below is a small list of some of my favorite ways to use them!
  • • Use it as a primer! You could apply directly onto skin before foundation to give you that lit within glow. You could also add to your moisturizer to give you a more natural effect.
    • You could apply after foundation on high points of face only to get a natural glow OR to be extra and give you the beaming highlight that we all love for those special occasions you could apply the liquid highlight first and set it with a powder highlighter! This is one of my favorite techniques! It really sets your highlight in place for the whole day! It’s the same concept of setting your foundation with powder to make it last the day. Layering liquid and powders can sometimes be scary but once you get the hang of it , you will love it, I promise!

• • • These products are can be used for almost any skin type ( Oily/ Dry / Combo) when applied properly but I have found that liquid highlighter works best with normal to dry skin types! Just because oily babes usually want a matte look for an all day stay!
• Powder Highlight – This is a classic and will always be in style. Powder Highlighters are typically used after skincare, foundation and or setting powders are applied! With powder highlighters you have to be careful with placement for acne prone or dry skin.  When placed over the affected area ( dry patch and/or break out ) It can accentuate the issue. My recommendation when using powder highlighters or any powder face product is to super important to make sure you have a good skin prep set! Weather it be with a moisturizer or hydrating primer. (YES oily skin needs a good light moisturizer made for their skin type too!)

• Glowing “Setting” Powders – These are stunning! These are in the “highlighter” family but are not quite a highlighter. The Hourglass Ambient Light Palette is a great example. This product is gorgeous! I have used it as a super subtle highlight on some clients or as a full on setting powder for others! These have a very subtle “glow” with a finely milled sparke to give you that candlelit evening romantic glow. These products are great if you want a subtle glow and aren’t looking for that blinding highlight that some reach for.  

I am currently obsessed with a “few” products this spring, some classic oldies with a twist and some newbies! They have been great on myself and my clients!

• • Bobbi Brown Illuminating Moisture Balm – ( Bobbi Brown – illuminating moisture balm ) This is great for super dry or dehydrated skin! You can apply this before foundation and or on top of foundation on the highpoints of the face. This is an absolutely gorgeous natural hydrated glow that is perfect for normal to drier skin types.

• • Becca Cosmetics Glow Glaze Stick – ( Becca Cosmetics – Glow Glaze Stick ) This leaves the skin with that wet hydrated highlight. Gorgeous for summer!

• • Marc Jacobs Dew Drops – Coconut Gel Highlighter – ( Marc Jacobs Dew Drops ) Ok guys, These ones are amazing. You can use these before foundation as a primer, add it to your primer or moisturizer for a gorgeous skin prep glow, you could add this to your foundation to give your foundation a glow, OR you could use this as a straight highlighter on top of foundation! It is such a multi-use product and smells and looks gorgeous. This is definitely a great purchase!  An investment but a great one.

• • RMS Living Luminizer – ( RMS – Living Luminizer ) This leaves a super subtle, natural, radiant glow! Absolutely gorgeous on everyone. You can put this on for an everyday healthy glow or apply it before a powder highlighter for a beaming glisten.

• • Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – ( Hourglass Highlighting Stick  ) This glides on like butter and lasts all day. It comes in several gorgeous colors and looks stunning on everyone I have put it on. ( Including myself LOL)
  • Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter – ( Becca – Pressed Highlighter  ) This is a classic! I think everyone has at least tried this product and we all know why, it’s amazing! I will never go without this product. It is considered a pressed powder highlighter but it glides on like butter. If you have never tried this one, I would suggest go try it! It was a game-changer for me and my number one used and recommended highlighter. It can be used to give that subtle natural glow and can also be used to give that beaming starlight glisten! It works well on all skin types and can be used with fingers, a brush, or a sponge. It’s super versatile and I can’t say enough about it. I will always have this in my makeup kit for personal and client use.

• • Last but certainly not least my other favoriteee pressed powder highlighter is the Bobbi Brown Highlighting Powder – I have used almost every color in this one. It leaves the skin with that “ Glow from within” look. Perfect for that evening date night with your person. It is one of my all-time favorites and works on all skin types!! Another one of my #Cantlivewithout products.

I hope you girls found some of this helpful! I love playing with all makeup and skincare products. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your highlighters – or any makeup products – let me know! I’d love to help! Thanks again for coming over and visiting my page! Have a great day!