It’s time to go with the glow
Are you, like us, lost in the glittering maze of strobe creams, luminising powders and radiance primers? Let us light the way with our definitive glow-to guide to highlighting
THE GOLDEN GLOW
Gold is the highlighter shade of choice this season. “Nice when you have a tan, or olive to dark skin, but steer clear if you’re very pale or naturally pinky-toned – a true gold will just look muddy,” says our make-up artist Marco Antonio. “Try a champagne shimmer or layer gold over silver instead.” Or opt for a new and universally flattering way to sparkle with a dusting of gold freckles. “Use a fine-pointed gold liquid liner [we used NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Gold, £4.50] to dab them on; think sparingly and randomly across nose and cheeks. Don’t even think about making symmetrical patterns!”
THE HOT GLOW
For a megawatt glow, sculpt features with light – not contour – shades. “Layer the sheen with an illuminating primer, then a dewy liquid base,” says Antonio. “Dab on a peachy liquid or gel stain, and use it on lips, too. Then add a gloss effect by using a fan brush to place a finetextured liquid or creamy highlighter on the high points of the face. Go for the top of cheekbones, under the brow arch, your forehead centre, inner eye corners, bridge of nose, Cupid’s bow and centre of chin.” Antonio likes earth tones to sculpt eyes, topped with MAC Mixing Medium Shine, £16.50. Your one strong feature? Defined brows, for structure and a healthy handsomeness. Glow get ’em.
THE FAIRY GLOW
Concentrate your highlighting efforts around the eyes and you can get away with shades fit for a Disney princess. “Sheer coverage is key for an ethereal look: use a luminous tinted moisturiser, feathered out from the middle of the face,” says Antonio. Sweep an iridescent cream shadow (try 3INA The Cream Eyeshadow, £8.95) over lids, then dab up, out and down onto cheekbones using fingertips (the heat helps you blend). Pastels are good on pale skin, or if you’re dark, opt for gold, copper or burgundy. Add a little blush under cheekbones and champagne highlighter under brows. Finish with lip balm, sheer brow gel and a squeeze of lash curlers. All eyes on you.
THE MATTE GLOW
Proving that ‘radiance’ needn’t mean ‘gloss’, this look is perfect for gleamphobes and those with oilier skins. “A radiant matte finish [try Rimmel Fresher Skin Foundation, £7.49] is what healthy skin naturally looks like,” says Antonio. “To create soft, velvety highlights, use a powder a few shades lighter than your base. Choose a silk-protein or mineral-based one, such as Givenchy Le Prisme Visage, £34.50, which’ll melt into skin. Buff into those areas where the light naturally hits using a soft brush.” Add a simple red lip and give Veronica Lake a run for her money.