Experts agree that a glowing makeup look is the key to achieving a natural everyday makeup vibe. TBH: Who wouldn’t like to look like they have an Insta-filter on their face and makeup? Erin LeBre is a celebrity makeup artist who confirms that she loves a glowing face every day.
The pros shared their tips on how to achieve a glowy, fresh-faced makeup look with just a few easy steps. We also tapped into the exact products they use in their professional kit, because they know what works and what doesn’t. While a glowing, fresh face is perfect for spring, it is also a look you can use all year round to keep your makeup on point.
Follow the step-by-step instructions to get the best makeup look for a fresh, glowing complexion.
Step 1: Prepare Your Skin
Nydia Figuerola, a New Jersey-based makeup artist, says that skin prep is essential to glowing skin. It ensures your base is hydrated and glowing before applying makeup. It is important to ensure that your skin feels clean, smooth and hydrated. She says, “I love LimeLife Glowing Green Pads by Alcone–they are individually packaged and gently cleanse and tone your skin.” The next step is to make sure that your skin has the maximum amount of hydration. Figueroa recommends IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream and Kibon’s Beauty Radiance Sheet Mask. She says that both products give the skin a plump and beautiful appearance without being too greasy. They are also ready to be covered with makeup.
LeBre says that when creating a glowy, pre-fresh makeup effect for her clients, whether on the red carpet or not, she uses the Talika Bio Enzymes Embryolisse VIP Embryolisse Lac Creme Concentre moisturiser.
Step 2 – Level up Your Complexion
Sarah Egan is a New York-based celebrity makeup artist. She says, “Start by using a light skin tint for a glowy look.” Skin tints are great for creating a glowing look, as they’re lighter than foundations and allow some of the skin underneath to show. Her favorite is Hi Beautiful You Skin Perfection Tint. She says it’s “almost like an Instagram filter on the face.”
Egan recommends blending with your fingers instead of a foundation brush if you want a glowing finish. She says to blend a small amount of tint on your palm, then dab your fingertips into your skin. The heat from your hands will help emulsify and blend the product beautifully. I also recommend using your fingertips instead of a stippling brush to avoid wasting product and because a brush can be heavy.
Figueroa recommends using her target powdering method if your skin tends to be oily. She says that target powdering allows highlighter to shine and gets rid of any bad shine. “Press a matte powder on areas of the face that can look shiny instead of sweaty. This includes the forehead, the sides of the nose and the top of the lips. I also like to use a small, pointed brush or a finger puff to precisely apply the powder where it is needed.
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Step 3 – Highlight high points with a highlighter
The most important part of creating a fresh, glowing makeup look is to use the correct texture, color and application method. Rokael, celebrity makeup artist and creator of Rokael Beauty makeup, says that he uses glow drops or powder highlighters and strategically places them on the brow bones and cheekbones. I also apply them along the bridge of my nose and on the inner corners of the eyelids by the tear ducts in order to separate and open them.
Autumn Estelle, national beauty and brow expert at Benefit, says that she uses a rose-gold highlighter to achieve this type of glow. Benefit High Beam Liquid highlighter is perfect for a dewy look. Apply it to your cheekbones, brow bones and high points on the face. “Dab the liquid highlighter onto your face and blend it in using your fingertips. This shade will give your skin a subtle glow, making you appear radiant and youthful.”
Lizama suggests adding cream bronzer to your highlighter for a glowy, bronzy finish. He says he uses it as an eyeshadow, and lightly applies it on the cheekbones to add warmth and definition. Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream is his favorite.
Step 5: Create a Flush Effect
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Egan swears by the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch liquid blush. Use the tip of the applicator to lightly dab two or three spots along the apple of your cheek. Then, using your fingertips, gently blend upwards for a natural blush.
Egan suggests that you add the color to the backside of your hand and not to your cheeks. Then dab it on, then apply it to get more control.
Carly Giglio, a celebrity makeup artist based in NYC and an educator, says “adding a blush to the cheeks gives the skin a healthy look,” she explains. She says that a super-easy tip is to rub whatever remains on your fingers across the bridge. This gives the face a healthy, sunkissed appearance because the cheeks, and the bridge of the nostril, are the places where the sun naturally shines. If you want a sheerer flush, she suggests using a moist blending sponge such as the Original Beautyblender to apply color.
Step 5: Define the Eyes and Lashs
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Giglio advises: “For a glowing, fresh makeup look, the eyes should be enhanced rather than overpowered–think radiant and effortless.” She recommends skipping the shadow or using a matte shade close to your skin tone. She says that the MakeupbyMario Ethereal Eyes Palette has a combination of mattes and shimmery shadows for creating depth and dimension. Next, dip your fingertip into one of these shimmer shades and apply it to the middle of your eyelid for a brightening look.
Avoid too many coats and try to avoid clumps. She explains that you want to make the lashes pop and complete the eye, but not overwhelm it like Arbonne Elevate mascara.
Step 7: Choose a sheer gloss or oil
Egan says that a fresh, glowing makeup look would not be complete without lips with fullness, health, and a beautiful shine. She suggests that you finish the look off with lip oils or glosses in a light tint or clear. Giglio says that a glossy lipstick is all you’ll need to achieve this look. She says that you need something to give the lip a little shine, but it shouldn’t be the main focus. Choose a lip color that is in harmony with your cheek color.