Achieving A Natural Winter Glow

I think we can all agree that winter skin is not “the one”. Everything looks a little duller, a little drier and we’re longing for that subtle summer glow to return. It’s usually in the summer months that everyone gets waxlyrical about the products to give you that perfect glow but actually I find my need for them in the winter is much greater. I wouldn’t say I have particuarly oily skin, or even combination skin at this time of year, but in the summer there is just an added boost to my skin. In the winter it’s a totally different story though.

Across both makeup and skincare there are a few products that I have been relying on recently that I have been helping me to achieve a bit more of a glow. Skincare is of course the best place to start because if your skin is actually radiant then it will show through your makeup. There is no harm in incorporating a couple of other makeup picks though to give an added glow, particularly if your skin isn’t looking so great.

Fresh Vitamin C Nectar Range: When it comes to skincare Vitamin C is one of your best friends in getting that added boost of radiance in your skin. I’ve only recently started dabbling within the Vitamin C world but two of the most recent additions to Fresh’s range have converted me. The first is the Vitamin Nectar Glow Water Spray, an exceptionally lightweight mist that is perfect both morning and evening to give your skin a little added boost. If you just want to dip your toe into vitamin C this is an ideal way to do this. It looks like an aerosol but it isn’t so it is also super travel friendly and lasts for ages - I’ve been using mine since August. Alongside the mist I have also been using the Vitamin C Glow Powder as and when I’ve felt I’ve needed them. You empty both sachets into your hand, add a few drops of water and mix them into a paste. It smells (and feels) as though you’re rubbing berroca into your skin but after 30 seconds you rinse it away and the results are GLOW. Honestly, the difference is so noticeable, your skin is much smoother and the glow seems to stick around for a while too. At 20% vit C this is stronger than many other similar products on the market and the results are evident.

The Ordinary Squalane: I’ve been a bit anti-oil for a while, for no other reason than I didn’t feel my skin needed it and I didn’t like the texture. But with persisent dry, eczema-ridden and dull skin I thought it was time to step things up. This is a super simple formula and is unscented so wasn’t going to aggrevate my skin any more and I’m impressed with how it sinks into the skin. 2-3 drops are plenty for me to do my face and neck and leave me with an incredible glow but without that horrible greasy feeling. The next morning my skin doesn’t feel greasy (unlike with so many other oils) and I’ve already started to notice a difference in the texture. I use it every evening after I’ve given my serums and moisturiser a chance to sink in for a few minutes.

The Ordinary Serum Foundation: I usually reserve lightweight and radiant foundations for the summer but instead this winter I’ve continued using this one. The light coverage helps to prevent it from clinging to any dry patches that I have and looks more natural as it works into the skin beautifully. I have already gone on about why it was one of my top discoveries of 2018 but any lightweight and radiant foundation will do the trick. Matte foundations tend to leave skin looking a little more lacklustre anyway so opting for something with an added punch of radiance is a really quick way to get a glow.

Hourglass Face Powders: It’s no secret that I adore the Hourglass powders. I use them literally every single day. They set everything in place without mattifying too much or leaving you looking like you’re wearing a tonne of makeup. If you just want to set your face their face powders are perfect but if you’re particle to a little bronzer or blush then theirs are a great way to add in a more subtle glow. I started using the Unlocked Palette towards the end of last year and I have used it everyday since. It’s beautiful but if you only want to invest in one then their single pan powders literally last me for months and months. Pricey, yes, but worth every penny.

Maintaining that glow from summer can be tricky, particularly when it feels like an entire life time ago, but these picks have become staples within my routine and have helped to perk my skin up even on the darkest and dullest morning.