A F R E S H G L O W
Today's post is somewhat in response to events from the other day. To summarise, I was mistaken for a sixteen year old (several years my junior might I add!) whilst out bopping around in Guildford. Now I'm well aware that I don't, but it was nevertheless incredibly ego-boosting ;)
And my said 'admirer', was very keen to learn how I achieved my fresh, youthful look, which thinking about it, is something I'm quite mindful of for my everyday makeup. So, as per the title, I'm going to be sharing some of my favourite tips for looking young, and the products I use to achieve it, including a couple of dupes - I hope you enjoy!
GO LIGHT ON THE BROWS
Brows say so much about your face, and your apparent age. A full, soft brow is indicative of youth so don't be tempted to pluck or shape your brows too much. I've never had my brows done professionally, only pluck any very stray hairs on the underside and I also choose to leave the fuzzy, more vertical hairs at the front of my brows so that they look natural.
Choosing lighter, softer products over anything harsh is another good trick - essentially look up the Instabrow and do the exact opposite ;) Although I have very dark, brunette hair, I like to go a shade lighter with my brow colour to keep them looking soft. I love a good brow pencil like Charlotte Tilbury's Brow Lift, or the NYX Micro brow for something more affordable, and I'll then run just a smidge of the Charlotte Tilbury clear brow gel through them to keep all the hairs in place. It's a particularly good one because the brush is so tiny, and although some clear gels can look a little cloudy on the brows, this one is imperceptible.
CHOOSE CREAMS OVER POWDERS
I just love using cream and gel products to create a seamless, dewy base, as they meld in with both each other and my skin, so exquisitely. Emollient and jelly-like products help plump up and hydrate your skin throughout the day too, adding to that youthful look. I'll share some of my favourite cream products below:
And I just love drenching my face in facial mists (a good 10 spritzes?), my skin adores them. I've actually been loving the combo of the Jurlique Brightening Essence before makeup, and then the corresponding mist after, such a beautiful duo.
ACHIEVING A TRUE GLOW
I'm sure that it'll be no surprise to you to learn that creamy, luminous skin appears younger than matte skin, but achieving this with a combo/oily skintype can prove somewhat challenging so I wanted to share my take. In fact this goes for all skin types, when I say I prefer a truly dewy look rather than any shimmer - I'm talking fresh-dew-on-grass kind of glow. I love taking a radiant primer, followed by a tinted moisturiser, the teeniest dab of powder and then go onto cheeks etc. I find that this way, I can achieve a realistic, pretty glow, without even having to go near any highlighter.
I don't know a single soul who's tried the Burberry Nude Radiance and not enjoyed it. But cheap it ain't. If you're planning to use it all over the skin, then I'd really recommend the Boots Botanics Radiance Balm - sheered out they're nigh on identical, and it's what I'm wearing in the photos below. I then follow up with my Estee Lauder EE cream (read, just another type of tinted moisturiser). I don't hear many talk about this product but I'm a long time user and lover, it holds a beautiful glow all day without getting oily. If you can avoid powder then all the better, but my combo skin requires a teensy amount of setting with my incredibly fine, Chanel pressed powder, just through the very centre of my face.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT TONES
I do think that choosing the right tones and shades can knock a few years off your age. Nude lips and matte bronzers/ashy contour shades can leave the skin looking really lifeless for example. Generally, choose something close to your natural colouring and you can't go wrong, but there's something about rosy pinks that brings out the light in all of us. I love melting two cream blushes into my skin for the perfect 'inner-flush'. The first, Becca's Beach Tint in Fig, a more muted rosy pink, I smooth over most of my cheek. I then apply a second, brighter pop of pink, in Chanel's Les Beiges No2 blush stick, on the very apple/highpoint of my cheek. And if you fancy saving a little (a lot) on the Becca tint, try Natural Collection's Cream Blush in Rosy Pink - they're very similar in both colour and texture.
A BARELY THERE EYE
And that's it for today, I hope you've found some of my recommendations helpful! And if all else fails, you can always turn to the Croydon Facelift ;)
As always, I'd just love to hear what tricks you like to use to look youthful, so leave your thoughts below :)
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