You always feel your finest when you achieve that sun-kissed, naturally radiant appearance; however, we may not always want to expose our skin to the sun or even have access to it. That’s why I’m excited to provide you with a list of my favourite makeup products that will give you extraordinary glowy skin like no other, ensuring your skin looks luminous and vibrant all year round.
get that “glow from within” glowy skin
To achieve that “glow from within” appearance, I believe it’s crucial to concentrate on your base makeup, including primers and foundations. This will help you create a naturally radiant look, making it seem like your skin is super hydrated and healthy—effectively capturing that inner glow, even if you might feel quite the opposite (I can definitely say i have reached for these products many times the morning after a big night when i need to look on form).
ELF Halo glow
This product completely transformed my makeup routine and turned me into a dewy makeup queen. I never imagined I would move away from being a matte makeup girl, especially since I tend to get oily. However, after trying this product, everything changed—I was now looking like that girl! The compliments I received about my skin while using it only confirmed that there’s no turning back for me. I had a radiant shine, making it seem like I had just returned from an incredible summer getaway after being away for half the year. While I’ve never used the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, I’ve heard it’s comparable and stunning on the skin; however, why would I invest in that when this incredible dupe is available? Elfs Halo Glow range in general I think is worth checking out especially if you are looking to convert to dewy makeup.
check out e.l.f. Halo Glow here: https://amzn.to/3yFvxBD
Vieve skin NOva
Its undeniable that the Vieve Skin Nova is an all round amazing product. The way this primer illuminates and refreshes your skin, you would have thought you had drank 1000 glasses of water. It provides a beautifully radiant finish and works perfectly under makeup, gliding on effortlessly to prevent any clinging to dry patches or texture. Additionally, Vieve Skin Nova offers skincare benefits with ingredients like niacinamide, soothing beta-glucan, firming orchid extract, and hydrating rose water to promote a healthy-looking appearance. As such, this is a product that can also be worn alone for a natural glow while enhancing your skin’s complexion.
Check out Vieves Skin Nova here!
Iconic london prep, set, glow
This product is truly underrated. Although some people might be aware of it, I believe it deserves to have gone viral. When I first got it, I assumed it was merely a setting spray or a shimmery body mist… but trust me, it’s so much more! The next time I picked it up, I noticed that it was labelled PREP SET GLOW… so I thought I’d give it a shot as a makeup base. And let me tell you, I was definitely not disappointed.
When applying my makeup, not only did it glide on beautifully and create a stunning glow, but the hydration on my skin also improved significantly. It’s incredibly hydrating, making blending your makeup effortless, regardless of how dry other products may be—plus the natural and radiant glow it gave me was amazing. For me, this product is excellent because you can use it both before your makeup application, during makeup application and after. Personally, I like using it during my makeup routine to blend my contour since it can sometimes stick to dry patches so I just spray this on before blending; and this just helps everything merge together seamlessly.
Check out ICONIC London PREP SET GLOW: https://amzn.to/4ccAEXH
Now for the more sun-kissed bronzy products:
RIMMEL Sunshimmer Instant Tan Makeup
This tanning product is currently one of the most budget-friendly options available. It offers a variety of shades, from light to dark, and provides choices for either a matte or shimmer finish. Personally, I’ve chosen the matte finish for a more natural-looking tan. You can apply this product after your skincare routine to achieve a natural bronzy glow, making it ideal for those days when you prefer not to wear makeup but still want to add some life to your complexion—especially during winter.
It also layers nicely with makeup and can be easily removed at the end of the day compared to gradual tans. Furthermore, as it contains glycerin its super hydrating to the skin but not greasy, making it perfect for a top up tan during winter. Overall, this is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an affordable option for a quick tan or when you don’t want to use a gradual tan. The only thing i would say is just don’t do any intense physical exercise with this on as i noticed after a sweaty 30mins on the treadmill it had separated on my face.
Check Rimmels sun shimmer here: https://amzn.to/3AbQNPP
isle of paradise tanning drops
The isle of paradise tanning drops have been an absolute favourite of mine for many years. They give a lovely colour to the skin and whats great is that you can choose the intensity of that sun-kissed look by adjusting how many drops you use. It also comes in light medium and dark shades. Even though I have a lighter complexion I still like to opt for the dark since it just means i can use less so it lasts longer…and of course I adore the deeper colour it gives me.
Since this is a gradual tan, you’ll need to wait about 6-8 hours to see the colour develop, during which time it’s important to avoid any water—but trust me, it’s totally worth it for the results. I like to apply mine with my moisturiser a little bit before bed so that when I wake up, I feel refreshed with a radiant bronzy complexion as if I’ve just returned from a holiday. I’d also recommend these if you’re not keen on exposing your face to sunlight but still chasing that healthy glow; as they help ensure your body matches your face for a naturally sun-kissed appearance when you aren’t looking so alive.
Check out isle of paradise tanning drops: https://amzn.to/4daYbtn
others that i havent tried
If you’re looking for a bronzing drop that quickly gives you a sun-kissed glow, I would also recommend trying the Drunk Elephant bronzing drops (I still can’t believe I haven’t tried them yet!). As you may have noticed, they are often mixed with moisturiser and seem to blend effortlessly to create a healthy-looking complexion. e.l.f., known for their great dupes, has also released a version of these bronzing drops(e.l.f. SKIN Bronzing Drops), and I’m eager to get my hands on them ASAP since they look so similar to the Drunk Elephant ones but come at a more affordable price. I would definitely give these a shot if you’re searching for budget-friendly alternatives.
Another brand I’m interested in is Saie; they offer their Super Glowy Gel, which appears to provide an absolutely stunning glow while adding just the right amount of tint depending on the shade you choose. These are slightly more upscale but still seem like they’re worth the investment! Additionally, an affordable option that has just launched in the UK is L’Oréal Lumi Glotion. This product has gone viral for delivering a natural, healthy, and hydrating glow to the skin.
If you give any of these suggestions a try, I’d be eager to know your feedback! Don’t forget to explore our other blog entries for additional self-care tips.