Glow from within: Tips, tricks to get that natural sheen

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Glow from within: Tips, tricks to get that natural sheen

Nothing beats #glowgoals like having a glowing skin

By Jaime Morton-Hawley

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Published: Fri 6 Dec 2019, 2:18 PM

It starts with your skin: No matter how many tips, tricks and hacks you use, nothing beats #glowgoals like having glowing skin. This is achieved by having well hydrated, balanced skin and drinking lots of water. Easier said than done, right? Balanced skin has a lot to do with what you eat and your skincare routine.
What You Eat: Consider the pH of the foods you eat. Items like processed foods, sodas, sugar and grains are considered to be acidic. Eating root and green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits, nuts, garlic, ginger and broccoli are more alkaline foods that can help balance your body and, more specifically, your skin. Remove any cleansers or body soaps that strip the skin, cause irritation or contain chemicals. Drink enough water prevent dehydration.
Skincare routine: Use skincare products that promote hydration, like toners, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Try adding a chemical exfoliator like glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells, revealing fresh skin while reducing skin discolouration. Use massage techniques when applying your serums, moisturiser and oil for maximum penetration while generating circulation to awaken your complexion.
Skin prep: Preparing your skin with the right moisturiser is the crucial step to maintaining a glowing complexion. For optimal hydration, try a 10-minute moisturising mask and rub in the remaining product before applying any oil control or pore-filling primers.
Illuminate: A lesser known technique is applying an illuminator before applying foundation. Yes, this is really a thing! These products are typically a more sheer highlight that can be applied to specific areas or over the entire face to illuminate from under your foundation. Clever, right? This way the glow is more natural and subtle. Many brands have illuminating products from low to high end.
Luminous foundation: Using a luminous or dewy finish foundation, as opposed to a velvet, satin or matte option can help promote a glow-from-within look. Try either light or medium coverage, depending on what your needs are. If you don't have this finish, don't fret! No need to head to the store and buy it. Add a few drops of a face oil or liquid highlighter to your matte foundation and your look will have a dewy finish.
Highlighter: There are so many highlighters to choose from. Let's take a quick look  into the different formulations and application strategies for the optimal glow.
Liquid or pen: This formula can be used before foundation, with foundation or after foundation. However, if a liquid or pen applicator is used after foundation, it is best that it is done before the powder and not layered over them.
Stick or cream: This formula works well on dry skin, though oily skin-types can use this product as well. You can apply it either before or after foundation. Best to apply cream highlighters with your fingers to warm up the product for applying it to the skin. When using a cream stick, apply the product directly and blend with either your fingers or a damp blender. Remember, layering loose or pressed powder over a cream will enhance the highlight for a mega-watt glow.
Pressed and loose powder: These formulas are dry, typically better for oilier skin and can be applied ideally with a sponge or brush. When applying with a brush, the fewer and more spread out the bristles are, the lighter the application will be. The smaller the brush, the more precise the application will be. Using a damp sponge will also help in giving a bold look.
Where to apply: Focus on the high points of the face where the light hits naturally. These spots are the high points of the cheeks, tips of the cupid's bow, brow bones, and points on your nose. You may see some online tutorials place highlighter in places where one is naturally sweaty for an enhanced dewy look but keep in mind, it may go from gorgeously dewy to a super-shiny sweaty look.
How to apply: When using a brush, sweep it over the desired area and build until desired glow is achieved. When using a finger or sponge, tap lightly over the area and build as necessary. For smaller points, use a tapping motion to make sure you don't over-apply the product  
wknd@khaleejtimes.com
Jaime Morton-Hawley is Digital content creator, professional photographer and makeup artist


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