I may let go of my summer wardrobe as the seasons change, but I refuse to let go of my glow!
Some gorgeous formulas and finishes help me out here (sadly, angelic luminosity is not in my genes, my grandmother aside). A typical day finds me using two to three of these products. An extra dry skin day has me frantically piling them all on to achieve a semblance of humanity. Unshockingly, this sometimes backfires.But! This is human error, not the fault of the luxurious, buttery products I'm about to knock your socks off with. Let's take a look at some pictures and swatches!
Top row, L to R: Rivage, Crique, Laguna
First up is the NARS Bord de Plage Highlighting and Bronzing Palette ($59 for six .12 oz pans).
The product description reads:'This palette of four, limited-edition, wet/dry highlighters and two Sun Wash Diffusing Bronzers creates a smoldering summer look. The highlighters work with skin to create a universal glow, as light-diffusing bronzers add natural-looking warmth. Together, they create a second-skin luster that amplifies and intensifies. Attract opposites with sheer dimension.'
I have not tried these wet yet, but I've been using Casino every day on the outside of my face for definition and a mix of Rivage and Crique on the high points of my face to finish off any makeup look. The deeper gold of Galet makes a stunning eye shadow, and when I'm wearing a warmer toned look I've been going for Laguna dusted over the spots on my face that the sun hits naturally (cheekbones, forehead, nose, chin). These are so easy, and so lovely. I anticipate this palette lasting quite some time, so I found it to be worth the investment!
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Left to right, indirect sunlight: Rivage, Crique, Corniche, Galet, Laguna, Casino
 
Bottom to top, direct s: Rivage, Crique, Corniche, Galet, Laguna, Casino
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Next up is Clinique's new foundation formula, Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup ($28 for 1 oz).
This is a revamp of their bestselling Even Better makeup with a less matte finish. The original formula is still available as well!
This version caters to dry skin types and promises 'light reflecting' qualities. I can attest to this - although I haven't found the wear time to be incredible, and this occasionally separates on my skin if I don't prep properly with moisturizer and primer, I've found this to be a nice lightweight formula for days when I don't want to look as though I'm wearing much but still want a bit of polish. It includes SPF 15. I wear the shade Bone, and find it to be a little on the light side for me currently - as I start getting less sun, I think it will be perfect!
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| Clinique Even Better Glow Makeup in Bone |
I stalked this next product for WEEKS. I couldn't find the new NARS Liquid Blush in Orgasm anywhere!
It's been sold out online and in store at Sephora basically since it first came out. I finally got lucky and came across it randomly while shopping Ulta's recent 20% sale. Talk about serendipity! It's available online at Ulta as well, linked above, and is priced at $30 for .5 oz.
This is the most efficient pick me up shade that you could possibly put on your face. It's transformational. The original Orgasm powder blush was more of a peachy pink with fine gold shimmer - this definitely leans more to the pink side, away from the peach.
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| Nars Liquid Blush in Orgasm |
The Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm in Coral ($33 for .12 oz) has been a favorite of mine for a while now.
The formula is intensely moisturizing, and the color adjusts to a perfect peachy-coral shade (somewhat sheer, because it is reacting with the chemistry of your lips). It has mango butter and SPF 10 to keep your lips in good shape. I will say that it is on the pricey side, but I'm using mine up fairly slowly and treating it as a luxury item, so I'm happy with the purchase!
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| Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral |
Becca's First Light Filter Face Primer ($38 for 1 oz) has been a staple in my beauty routine for the past several months - it's moisturizing, lightweight, and blurring.
It also has a fresh citrusy scent, which helps me wake up a bit during early morning makeup application. The glass bottle lends a luxurious look to my vanity, which I appreciate!The brand description reads:
'A wake up call for the skin, First Light Filter Face Primer brightens lackluster and dull skin and instantly refreshes the complexion. It’s perfect for flaunting a fresh canvas for all-day makeup wear. Cool Light Technology softly scatters translucent, cool violet light to brighten and even out imperfections. Mineral-rich spring water, prickly pear flower, and sodium hyaluronate capture moisture to hydrate and revive skin. Ginger energizes the complexion and the fresh citrus notes create an awakening experience. The primer looks violet but goes on sheer, and the energizing citrus scent is the perfect first step for your morning routine.'
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| Becca First Light Filter Face Primer |
Finally, I'm trying out a relatively new purchase - Urban Decay's The Illuminizer Translucent Pressed Beauty Powder ($34 for .31 oz).
I've been looking for a setting powder that doesn't dry my face out or take away whatever glow I've successfully faked with the previous steps of cosmetics, and this seems to be doing the trick (so far). This is a very fine, soft powder - super easy to apply!The brand description reads:
'Naked Skin The Illuminizer Translucent Pressed Beauty Powder instantly illuminates, giving skin a radiant look. Formulated with synthetic white sapphire, it gives The Illuminizer a multidimensional finish. Because these pigments are semi-transparent, they reflect light beautifully while still letting your skin show through. Special technology in the pigments also helps the formula to glide on and stay put.'
Fancy. I like!
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| Urban Decay The Illuminizer Beauty Powder |
Swatch time!
Nars Bord de Plage Palette is swatched above, and the rest of the product swatches can be found below. I tried to photograph in several different kinds of light to give an accurate idea of product appearance.The Urban Decay Illuminizer powder is swatched rather heavily, as is the Becca First Light Primer - keep in mind that these go on relatively sheer for real life application.
The Nars Liquid Orgasm blush is SUPER pigmented! This bottle will last forever and a day. The swatch reflects one pump, with two back and forth finger passes to smooth out.
Clinique Even Better Glow and Dior Lip Glow are pigmented but give a sheer finish, as mentioned and seen below.
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| From left to right, direct sunlight: Dior Lip Glow in Coral, Clinique Even Better Glow in Bone, Urban Decay The Illuminizer Powder, Becca First Light Primer, Nars Liquid Orgasm Blush |
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| From left to right, in shade: Dior Lip Glow in Coral, Clinique Even Better Glow in Bone, Urban Decay The Illuminizer Powder, Becca First Light Primer, Nars Liquid Orgasm Blush |
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| From left to right, indirect sunlight: Dior Lip Glow in Coral, Clinique Even Better Glow in Bone, Urban Decay The Illuminizer Powder, Becca First Light Primer, Nars Liquid Orgasm Blush |
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| From bottom to top, direct sunlight: Dior Lip Glow in Coral, Clinique Even Better Glow in Bone, Urban Decay The Illuminizer Powder, Becca First Light Primer, Nars Liquid Orgasm Blush |
And that completes my roundup of must-have glow products for the summer! Tell me, how do you get your glow?
Happy hauling!
- Taylor
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