The universal skin dream: having a complexion
that looks healthy, clear, and glowy — with and without makeup. Here,
experts share their tricks and favorite go-to products, guaranteed to
give you gorgeous, dewy skin, no Facetune required.
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Exfoliate every. Single. Day.
But
gently, of course. "For any surface to reflect light brilliantly — from
diamonds to skin — it has to be smooth," says Neal Schultz, MD, a
dermatologist in New York City and founder of Beauty Rx Skincare.
The main cause of an uneven complexion? "An accumulation of dead cells
glued to the skin’s surface, which scatter light in different
directions, making the skin appear dull and tired looking," he says. To
quickly dissolve dead skin cells, try an exfoliating pad laced with
alpha hydroxy, lactic, or glycol acid after cleansing. "These gentle
acids slough off dead skin cells and reveal a brighter complexion," says
Eric Schweiger, MD, a dermatologist in NYC. Try: Kate Somerville Clinic-to-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads.
Apply a glow-getting mask in the morning
The
quickest (and lazy-girl-approved!) way of getting a glow: Apply a mask
that’s packed with hydrating and radiance-boosting ingredients. Before
you start applying makeup in the morning, try a skin-smoothing mask like
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask,
which is packed with glow-getting clementine, lemon, and orange
extracts. Follow up with a gel-cream treatment that will give your skin
more moisture, such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, which instantly quenches thanks to hyaluronic acid.
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Massage your face cream into your skin
"I
am a huge believer in facial massage — it ensures that your cream or
serum gets into your skin, plus promotes blood flow to the surface,"
says Christine Cherbonnier, a makeup artist in NYC. Her how-to: Apply a few dabs of a serum or gel moisturizer such as Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel,
which hydrates instantly and infuses a ton of water into your skin.
Make a peace sign with your hands and move your fingertips in tiny
circular motions above and below your cheekbones, over your forehead,
and out and down to your chin. "And don’t forget your jawline and neck —
use upward motions from the base of your neck up to your chin."
Brush on foundation
Because
nothing says dull, tired skin like a face full of cakey makeup. The
trick: Use a dense, short-bristled makeup brush to apply foundation. It
creates an airbrush-like finish and allows your skin’s natural radiance
to shine through, says Cherbonnier. Apply a small drop of a hydrating
foundation on the top of your hand to warm up the product and make it
easier to blend. Then, use tiny circular motions to work the makeup into
your skin starting at the middle of your forehead. Then go down your
nose, out along your cheeks to your chin, and finish around your
jawline.
Don’t underestimate the power of color
"Adding a touch of a bright berry or pink cream blush or stain on cheeks and
lips can instantly wake up the face," says Cherbonnier. And opting for
cream over powder is key because powder formulas (even in bright colors)
simply aren’t as glowy on skin. Apply a shade that mimics your natural
flush and is close to your natural lip color, then dab it on the apples
of cheeks and on lips too. I love the lip-cheek duo Burberry Lip Cheek Bloom in "Hydrangea."
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Get a strategic glow
Liquid
highlighters are a makeup artist’s glow-getting secret weapon and
should be yours too. "I am a big believer in liquid highlighters and I’m
pretty liberal with them," says Cherbonnier, who suggests mixing one to
two pumps with foundation then applying all over skin for a subtle
glow. Try Becca Shimmering Skin Perfect,
which comes in a wide range of shades. Or target the high points of
your face, where light naturally reflects — along the top of your
cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, under your brow bone, and even on
your Cupid’s bow. As for what shades to try: Fair skin looks best with
rosy-pink tones; those with golden complexions should aim for peachier
shades; and deeper complexions get a boost from a bronzy tint.
