These products are the key to achieving an especially radiant, glowing makeup base.
Italicized product links are affiliate links. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were received as PR samples.
A truly luminous yet very lightweight makeup base is my eternal favorite. I want my base to look fairly flawless, meaning I expect clear coverage from both foundation and concealer, but at the same time I love a finish that looks light and, most importantly, feels light on the skin.
You have probably spotted these seven products in several of my Instagram makeup videos, but here are proper reasons why each one is excellent.
VITA LIBERATA BEAUTY BLUR FACE *
Please note that this product is available both as a self-tanning version and without self-tanning properties. I always use the version without self-tanner. This glow cream can be used in many different ways. If your foundation is light in coverage and translucent, you can apply Beauty Blur all over the face before foundation. If your foundation is more full coverage, you can mix the cream into your foundation. This is an especially good idea if your foundation feels too dry or matte for your taste. The cream adds the much-needed glow and lightness. You can also apply the cream on its own, skip foundation, and complete your base with concealer.
The glow cream is available in three different shades: light, medium, and dark. The shade light suits my skin best. The cream creates a truly beautiful velvety glow on the skin that is not too shiny. The skin does not become greasy-looking, but instead appears radiant, glowing, and even. The light-reflecting glow cream smooths the surface and texture of the skin without emphasizing it too much, especially if you apply foundation or other makeup on top. The texture is wonderfully thin, and even though you apply it under foundation as an extra step, the makeup base does not become too thick or heavy.
CHANEL WATER-FRESH COMPLEXION TOUCH
Chanel’s Water-Fresh Complexion Touch foundation is personally one of the best foundations I have ever tested for my skin. The formula is incredibly thin and feels very fresh on the skin. Its gel-like texture feels hydrating and lightweight, dries evenly on the skin, and does not feel heavy. The base stays in place well, does not become overly oily, and overall looks beautifully natural and undetectable.
Do not let the lightweight texture fool you. It clearly covers redness, uneven tone, and irregularities, because the product truly layers very well when needed. A small amount goes quite far, so it is best to start with a moderate amount. It does not clog pores or gather into dry lines during the day, but stays put beautifully.
The product applies best with a rounded buffing-style foundation brush, and the thin texture can also be built up for more coverage by tapping it onto the desired areas with a dense brush. One of my favorite buffing brushes is, for example, the FLAER 108 brush.
ROSE INC CONCEALER
Rose Inc’s concealer does not get only praise from me, because I think the packaging could use a lot of improvement. The concealer itself, however, covers well and stays in place. The packaging is the only thing I do not like, as the applicator picks up too much product and completely messes up the edges of the screw cap with concealer. The applicator also easily applies too much product to the skin, so tap the product onto the skin sparingly.
Shade LX030 is the best shade for me for creating a beautifully bright look on the face. It is slightly lighter than my skin tone and brightens the under-eye area well if the darkness is not very intense. In spring and summer, the darkness is rarely so strong that this would not be enough on its own. The concealer applies best with a rounded brush, for example the Real Techniques Setting Brush. I often notice myself tapping the concealer into place with my fingers after using a brush, perhaps because it is so easy to apply quite a lot of product to the skin. Set the concealer with a light layer of powder if it tends to gather into lines under and around the eyes. Also pay attention to how much eye cream you use in the morning if you constantly feel that no concealer stays in place during the day.
FENTY BEAUTY CHEEKS OUT FREESTYLE CREAM BRONZER *
Fenty Beauty’s cream bronzer has a beautiful, slightly translucent texture that makes the skin glow while adding warmth and definition to the face. Do not let the previous sentence fool you: there is definitely enough pigment, but the finish on the skin is fresh, light-reflecting, and beautifully luminous. There are no visible shimmer particles in the formula, so you can use the product to create both warmth and definition at the same time. Apply bronzer to the cheekbones, under the cheekbones if you want more definition, to the temples and forehead, and along the bridge of the nose. You can also sharpen the jawline with bronzer if desired.
The texture is very thin and applies best to the cheeks with a dense, rounded brush. The cream settles beautifully on the skin, does not leave the skin shiny, and does not feel sticky. Use tapping motions when applying it to avoid moving the makeup base underneath. For example, try applying it with the rounded end of the FLAER 108 brush.
HURRAW! AURA BALM *
HURRAW!’s glow balms give the skin an absolutely incredible glow. My personal favorite is especially the shade Pearl, which gives the skin an intense glow in a pale pearl tone. There are several shades available, so you are sure to find a good option for your own skin tone.
My favorite brush for this cream is ILIA Beauty’s Complexion Brush, which I also like to use with cream blush sticks. With this brush in particular, tapping the cream onto the cheekbones and the highest points of the face is very easy. The glow cream also applies well with fingers. The rich cream transforms on the skin into a lightweight feel and does not leave a sticky sensation. The jar is very long-lasting, as even a small amount gives a beautiful shine. In hot summer weather, avoid applying glow cream to areas of the face where sweat tends to form easily. For example, I would skip the cupid’s bow in summer, as shine can easily appear there on its own in the heat. However, glow on the highest points of the face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and brow bone, works beautifully even on a hot summer day.
BEAUTYACT RADIANT CREAM COLOUR STICK BLUSH *
BeautyAct’s cream blush stick in the shade Meet Cute is probably the one I have reached for the most during spring and summer. This blush also has a slightly translucent finish on the skin, creating that wonderfully fresh look. The stick is available in several shades. Meet Cute is a warm pink that flatters many skin tones and brings freshness to the look.
You can apply the blush stick directly to the skin and tap the color into place with your fingers or a brush. I personally like the control that a brush gives, so I first tap the shade from the stick onto the brush and only then apply it to the face. ILIA’s Complexion Brush is also very suitable for a cream blush stick. Cream blush in stick form is usually quite firm, and in that case, a short-bristled brush picks up the most color. A short-bristled brush also lets you tap the color onto the cheeks in a controlled way. A makeup sponge also works well for this purpose.
LUMENE DEWY GLOW SETTING SPRAY *
Lumene Dewy Glow Setting Spray holds the clear top spot among setting sprays for me. It is the best setting spray I have tried. Of course, if you prefer completely matte makeup that does not move at all during the day, another spray may be even better. Lumene’s setting spray really does set makeup and improve its longevity. It makes the whole makeup look long-lasting and keeps it in place even in hot weather. In my own makeup, I do not use powder at all and prefer cream formulas in all products, yet Lumene’s setting spray alone keeps the entire makeup look in place and fresh all day. The spray does not leave a tight, film-like feeling on the skin, so you can also mist it onto the skin during the day if desired. It finishes the skin with a beautiful luminosity and is definitely one of my trusted products for a fresh makeup base. I have gone through several bottles myself, and I also use it at work on my clients.