It doesn't matter what time of year it is, we all want our makeup to look effortless and radiant. As though we've just woken up, thrown on a few things and can leave the house looking pulled together and chic in a matter of moments. For most of us this is not the case, and when the alarm goes off sometimes we need a little help achieving the radiant finish that we crave. That said piling on primer after highlighter after foundation after *insert miscellaneous product* is seldom the way to achieve the look. You want to layer your products wisely, looking out for the ones that will give you a natural radiance, that are light enough to layer seamlessly and that will compliment each other. 

There are 3 products, when it comes to a radiant base, that are essential for this; a hydrating primer, a radiant foundation and something that will keep everything in place without mattifying. Find your three go-to's and you're ready to go, and no one needs to know that the cold weather is playing havoc with that French-girl-chich look you desire. 

Laura Mercier Hydrating Primer

The texture of this is so light it could almost be a serum. The water based formula means it adds an additional layer of hydration to the skin but the lack of oil means that even if you do tend to get a little oiler throughout the day (nose and chin, I'm looking at you) you wont start to look greasy. Your skin is left feeling smoother and plumper however it doesn't feel greasy like a traditional silicone primer might. Apply a pea-sized amount with your fingers after moisturising and it will begin to sink into the skin without pilling as you apply the rest of your base. 

Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

The latest foundation launch from Nars, this foundation is unlike anything else they have launched. The first thing you notice about this foundation is that the formula is exceptionally light, so much so that the level of coverage is mildly shocking. A pump and a half, applied with fingers or a buffing brush, is enough to cover the entire face and give a medium-high coverage finish. Once it sets it stays put all day, even on areas that would usually get oilier such as your nose and chin. It does set relatively quickly so applying this is areas has worked best for me. Once its done your skin does look radiant but it doesn't look shimmery or greasy, just as though your skin is naturally hydrated and plump. It also doesn't feel light a full-coverage foundation on the skin and it's easy to forget that you have anything more than a tinted moisturiser on the skin. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

There was a time when it would have seemed counter-intuitive to apply a powder if you were hoping for a radiant finish. However, the Hourglass powders manage to lock everything down in place whilst giving an almost blurring effect to the skin. The powder is exceptionally fine and when applied with a duo-fibre brush it really is the lightest covering of powder so doesn't leave the look feeling heaving. This is certainly not a highlighter and does not give anywhere near that level of radiance, however, if you need something to lock down your look but want to avoid a traditional and heavy powder then this is the perfect way to achieve that. 

Beautiful and radiant makeup shouldn't come at the cost of wearing lots of layers of highlghting products. It should be as simple as a couple of well-place base ingredients to give the rest of your look the finish you desire. The combination of these three products leaves my skin feeling comfortable and bright, not as though I have layered on product after product. As we transition into the warmer months (they've got to come soon, right?) activly inorproating the radiance-boosting products will change, but for now I can trust that these three have me covered.