Illuminate - achieving the glow

by Beauty Editor Kenneth Higgins

Your star is on the rise and any form of illumination or highlight is on the cards to get some pep in your makeup look this season.

In a sea of choice I thought it useful to have a guide to the “what’s what” in all manner of brightening and illuminating products. It can be a daunting choice and often an investment, because, let’s face it who can have just one!

Firstly it about purpose. Break the look down to the working parts.

Skin and base; cheeks and high points; brows and eyes; and finally lips. Are you looking for an all over glow? (Answer is yes) or to accentuate features and use the bouncing of light to create dimension?

Even if your personal choice is a matte skin you can still embrace this tidal wave of a trend. It’s about choosing the right product best suited to your needs.

Texture really is the defining point with all these products.Consider how the product feels. Is it a dry powder or is it something silkier? A cream or a light thin liquid. Is it wet and melts easily to the touch. You need to shop by feel and see what suits your skins individual qualities.

See, it gets confusing quite quickly doesn’t it! So let’s sight a few examples in each category and see what’s on offer and get that conversation going. Everyone has a favorite just ask.

Light it up... K x 

“Pro tips....
1 } Anything with alot of pigment will not layer well. It gathers on itself as it layers up ending in a crust. I usually find this with liquids that are intense and you can see the pigments. They are a one sweep application or work it in with a damp sponge.

2 } Take a light liquid illuminator matched to you skin tone and mix it with eye cream or your concealer to bounce some light under the eyes. A great instant lift. Nars liquid illuminator in hot sand is my favourite.

3 } Match your complexion texture to your highlight texture. If you love a glowing look go for a blush in cream or cream to powder. In order to use a powder product the makeup will need to be set with powder so as the product won’t grab.”

Charlotte tilbury Hollywood beauty light wand

This is gold. I use this in many of my applications, use it on cheek bones and even mix it into cream blush. It enhances your glow with the power of micro fine pearl powder so you look red carpet ready with no tell tale glittery fragments. charlottetilbury.com.au

Fenty beauty by rhiana match stix shimmer skinstick

An easy to use light weight formula that glides around your face spreading it’s love where ever you need it. Matchstix are 100% cruelty free and layer up well over raw skin or other makeup. A great range of 10 shades for all skin tones and makeup tastes. sephora.com.au

Tarte tarteist™ pro glow highlight & contour palette 

I have this baby in my complexion kit.

Four soft textured powders that suit a variety of undertones and seamlessly layer with each other to create dimension. Use in conjunction with the contour cream and powder for
a subtle sculpt and a glow that rocks. sephora.com.au

Becca shimmering skin perfector

This is a go-to for someone who is looking to not cover their skin with much makeup. Apply over or mixed into moisturiser then retouch the skin with a little corrector. The glow is subtle enough to not look wet yet still bounce light. Great for photography. sephora.com.au

Charlotte tilbury Filmstar bronze and blush glow

Incorporate glow in all your colour cosmetics with this baby.Sweep the bronzer everywhere the sun would naturally catch your skin, even across the nose to your cheeks. Then blush up with this universally flattering pinch of pink. The beautiful compact is ready for any bride and even comes with a mini brush. All class! charlottetilbury.com.au

Nars powder blush/highlighter in hot sand

An all time go to favourite of mine. The warmth of the tone suits fair and sun kissed skins. It imparts a powerful glow on the high points of the face without looking wet and can layer up for a super high shine. I use it in conjunction with other products and it mixes well. Often finishing with more a wet glow like RMS living luminzer. mecca.com.au

Fenty beauty bomb baby mini face and lip duo.

Touch up before you touch anything. An ideal treat for you and the girls. Shine on with this adorable kit. Swipe your finger through the killawatt highlighter and get that face and collarbone beaming beofre your photos. This universal shade gloss is a stroke of genius. Both bestsellers for a reason. You go girl......Rhiana that is! sephora.com.au