4 Simple Hacks To Make Bare Skin Glow
Don’t underestimate the power of radiant, healthy-looking skin. Here, MALENA HARBERS breaks down the polished neck-to-toe finish you’ll want to try – and how to achieve it
Simone Ashley, Hailey Bieber, Laura Harrier… A glowing array of A-listers have recently been showing off a gleaming, refined, near-otherworldly skin finish. “The look reflects how well we’re taking care of ourselves, which is so important right now,” says celebrity makeup artist Florrie White. Here, she explains how to look after your skin to achieve a similarly healthy, glistening effect.
Prep matters most
To get a uniform texture, it’s essential to create the ideal canvas before anything else. “Body brushing does wonders to wake up your circulation,” says White. “I do it every morning before I shower, with a round-bristle brush. I start on my stomach, then take it down to my knees to quick-start some lymphatic drainage and slough off any dead cells. I use Vanderohe Sasawashi Exfoliating Body Cloths when I’m traveling to achieve the same result.” Equally, exfoliating when you have a shower can make a big difference to smooth out irregularities and refine skin. Many dedicated body exfoliators mix both chemical and physical exfoliators for a more thorough all-over sloughing. If you have sensitive skin (or for irritation-prone areas like your décolleté), opt for an acid-only formula instead, such as U Beauty’s Resurfacing Body Compound or Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment. Swiped over dry skin, these cloths are far less abrasive than a physical scrub.
Be consistent with your body cream
When it comes to hydration, White stresses the importance of moisturizing every day. The more thoroughly hydrated your skin is, the more you’ll get that healthy, lit-from-within luminescence. “Due to the heat and humidity in summer, I’d choose either a serum [look for one that’s hyaluronic acid-based] or a cream. Only use both layered together if you’ve been neglecting your body.” Really massage the moisturizer deep into skin for an added toning effect and don’t forget to focus on commonly dry areas, such as the hands, neck, feet, knees and elbows. “I love using Sisley’s Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion body cream on my clients because it sinks in quickly and calms any redness, too.”
Blur imperfections
Body makeup is a red-carpet secret when it comes to achieving flawless skin, as it smooths and evens out skin tone. The newest complexion perfectors are tinted body moisturizers or ‘glow creams’ (we love Refy’s Body Glow), which give skin a buttery texture, add radiance and ‘fuzz out’ flaws in a sheer veil of color. Simply massage the cream into prepped skin using circular motions. Alternatively, you can create this same uniform tone by adding a few bronzing drops to your body lotion – Westman Atelier’s new Sun Tone Bronzing Drops deliver a natural-looking luminescence in four shades. “Everyone looks a little healthier and more radiant when they are subtly sun-kissed – whatever their skin tone. It’s the closest you’ll get to sunshine radiating from within.”
Highlight strategically
For a modern finish, White advises steering clear of glitter and sticking to a rich moisturizer or, at most, a highlighting cream with shimmer to add dimension and a gorgeously glazed finish to certain points of the body. Charlotte Tilbury’s Supermodel Body is the original highlighter for naturally glossy skin. “Run a layer of either the moisturizer or illuminating cream down the front of your leg for a longer, finer shape,” says Florrie. “Take it across the tops of your shoulders and collarbones, too. If you’re baring your stomach, apply an extra layer along the outside contours but use a lighter touch, because excess product may crease here.”
SUMMER STYLE UPDATES
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