How to achieve fresh & effortless glowing skin

If you ask me what my favourite thing about makeup was it would have to be skin and making it look like your glowing from within!

My favourite product would have to be highlighter because its so multi tasking, can be used in so many ways on the face, eyes, lips and body! 

In this post I'll talk you through the steps I use to create a fresh, lightweight yet very luminous look on the skin.
​All images used are from a recent shoot that I did hair and makeup for on Erin with @ludiamondflowers
This is the perfect example of my favourite base to create on models and myself 
You'll notice Erins freckles peeking through across her nose which  I adore and wish I had more myself! 

Step 1. Prepping the skin for a glowing base is ESSENTIAL! To create the perfect canvas I always start my makeup with freshly cleansed skin, In the case of a shoot this isn't always possible so I will thoroughly wipe down the skin and neck with Bioderma micellar water on cotton pads 

Step 2. Prime the skin - My favourite luminous primers/moisturisers to use are strobe cream by Mac, Laura Mercier Radiance Primer or if the client is very dry I like to use the Bobbi Brown Illuminating moisture balm. I always really buff it into the skin with a synthetic foundation brush and then pat in with fingers. 
This step means that the skin is already glowing so your foundation will apply more sheerly and be a little more reflective 

Step 2. Even out the skin tone - My favourite foundation to use for a very sheer yet glowing base is Face and Body by Mac, Being water based its very easy to build up overage in places where you need it and its waterproof so once it sets its quite long wearing.
If you don't want to buy a different foundation you can always mix your illuminating base/primer with your regular foundation to sheer things out and amp up the glow. 
Before applying I like to really assess the skin and see where the problem areas are, This is where you want to start first so if you get redness in the cheeks work from there outwards and apply less in areas where it doesn't need the coverage.
Like the primer I really like to take the time to work the foundation into the skin so it becomes part of the skin and more undetectable, Working in light layers I have found is always best.

Step 3. Conceal - This step is so essential with a sheer base, Most blemishes, pimples or scars will show through with a lightweight foundation so this is where pin point concealing will save the day! I like to use Bobbi Brown Creamy concealer and correctors lightly buffed underneath the eyes to cover dark circles.
My real techniques setting brush is my holy grail brush for this job! I think I have about 5 of these haha! 
Use a small detail brush to spot conceal blemishes or scars keeping in mind if the blemish is dry you want to use a creamy concealer so it won't emphasise any flakyness. If the blemish is a scar or not dry then you can use a longer wearing concealer. The Laura Mercier Secret camouflage concealer is a favourite of mine for this. 

Photo by @iambrijana

Step 4. Set in places only where its needed - This is where a translucent powder is great because it will set the area making it matte so it lasts and doesn't crease.
I like to set the under eye concealer just very lightly Im only talking a small dusting no baking needed here! Around the nostrils, chin, centre of the forehead. Generally any areas where the skin might look oily so usually the t-zone.
My favourites are Laura Mercier loose translucent setting  powder or Mac Mineralise Skin Finish 
My favourite brush to use for this are the Mac #133 its perfectly shaped and incredibly soft so its not too dense.

Step 5. Time to highlight!! On Erin in these photos I used two Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminators in the shades 'So Hollywood and Starlight' I use two shades to really get dimension as so hollywood is more of a golden highlight an starlight more on the icy cool toned side. 
Starting with a fluffier fan brush and lightly dust over all the high points and larger planes of the face, above the brow arch, Cheek bones, Bridge of the nose and tip of the nose (I try not to do one stripe all the way down as such I like to do between the eyes on the nose and then the tip) once the skin has a really blended and soft looking glow I then will go in with a smaller more dense brush to further accentuate the glow, Its all about layering! I like to highlight the brow bone, cupids bow, Inner corner of the eyes packing on the product in these smaller areas will really make then catch the light.

Step 6. Mist the skin for a more dewy effect - Favourites are Mac fix + and Mario Badescu Rose facial spray. When working with liquid and then powder a setting spray is really going to make the powder melt into the skin and make things look further hydrated and healthy!  

To finish this look On erin was very simple! I used Benefit gimme brow and ready set brow to give that fluffy and effortless look, swept some mac woodwinked eyeshadow across the lids and lower lash line, Added a light coat of mascara top and bottom and a rose tinted lip balm to her lips! 

​I hope you Enjoyed this post and found it helpful xx