4 Easy Hacks For Top-To-Toe Glowing Skin

Freshly exfoliated skin is key to a supple, radiant body, according to Kate Shapland, body expert and founder of Legology. “There’s nothing like exfoliation for bringing a look of vitality to the skin,” she says. “It shifts the build-up of dead cells that can make the surface of the skin look dull and dry.” Crucially, moisture must always follow after exfoliation. Clyde Johnson, global head of skincare artistry at La Mer, recommends using your palms to warm your cream or balm of choice before applying it to your skin for even and thorough coverage. “Scoop a generous amount of cream or lotion into the palm of your hand and then rub your hands together lightly to spread the product. Now, gently use your hands to massage the moisturizer into damp skin using gliding strokes in a direction away from the heart,” he advises. “For an extra tension-releasing treat, gently compress your major muscles, such as your forearms, calves and even your fingertips.”

Despite the claims of some brands, there really is no such thing as a universal illuminating product for all skin tones. While some shades (such as gold) may make dark skin look gorgeously lit-from-within, the same ones may be completely incompatible with pale skin – and vice versa. Keeping your skin tone in mind while selecting a glow product is key, according to makeup artist Pauline Briscoe, who says: “A variety of products will help you create a faux glow, but it’s really about choosing a shade that will create a realistic glow for you. As a general rule, golden shades look great on olive and deeper skin tones, while fairer skins suit more silver-edged or iridescent lilac shades.”

As for finish, powder highlighting products will give a punchier luminosity, oils create a subtly soft-lit sheen, and creams tend to land somewhere in the middle, offering luminosity but in a softer, more touchable finish than powder. If you have bumpy or blemished skin – which can be common on the décolleté – then opt for creams over powders, as they’re more forgiving on unevenly textured skin.

“Any base that adds glow to your face can also be used on your body,” says Briscoe. Your usual cream highlighter or shimmering bronzer can look beautiful when taken down onto the tops of your shoulders and blended down your shins. Try mixing a little of your usual liquid highlighter into your body cream and massage the mixture into limbs after stepping out of the shower. The combination will add a subtle creamy sheen to skin without looking too obvious. Try using this technique when wearing a sweetheart neckline to match the glow on your neck and chest to the glow on your face.

If you want your makeup to last all day, you need to apply it in thin layers, and the same methodology applies here, too. Thin layers, applied a few minutes apart, are especially useful for day-long events such as weddings, where you don’t want to have to think about touching up your skin. “After you have exfoliated and moisturized, take a makeup brush [a foundation or blusher brush is ideal] and lightly blend your glow product onto the areas you want to light up, such as your collarbones, forearms and chest,” advises Briscoe. “Then lightly pat a very small amount of a dry oil over the top to seal it and amplify the glossiness.” If you know you’re going to be photographed, avoid flashy highlights and illuminating powders, as they will cause a glare. Instead, opt for creams and oils, which reflect less light and appear more natural.