Winter Radiance | Tips to Maintain Glowing Skin in the Winter

The winter months are never very kind to the skin. It is constantly cold, windy, dry, or a sad cocktail of all of the above that can leave your skin looking grey, dehydrated, and dull. Basically, this weather can make you look more dead than alive which is the last thing anyone wants... well most people anyway. In order to combat the issue it's important to keep a skincare and makeup routine that makes you look brighter and more awake in order to keep a gorgeous youthful glow. I've put together a little list of skincare and makeup products and tips that can get you through this grey winter and leave you radiant all year long. 


- Mix highlighter in your foundation - To achieve a more glowing complexion add a small pea sized amount of cream highlighter in with your cream/ liquid foundation in order to add an overall glow to your complexion. This might add a little too much glow for people with oily skin but it is perfect for those with dry to normal skin types because it is going to bring more life back into their face. 

- Use light reflecting setting powders - Since people with more oily skin types might not be suited for adding highlighter to their foundation if they want to add a little more overall radiance to their complexion they should use setting powders with a little shimmer in them to achieve the same effect. Products such as the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders and the Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder are perfect to add some shine without making it look like you greasy. 

- Embrace the triangle of light - When concealing your under eyes use a concealer that is a little lighter than your complexion and apply it in a triangular shape. Start at the inner corner of your eye and extend the concealer up to your temple and then bring it down to the end of the nose and connect the three points. When blended out this shape will help to brighten your face and make you look more awake. This will also help you create more depth when you add your contour and can help to accentuate a cheek highlight. 

- Accentuate the high points of your face - Use a liquid or a powder highlight to accentuate the high points of your cheeks, down the center of your nose, your cupid's bow, and the tops of your brow bones. This will help to give you a healthy glow as the light naturally hits those parts of your face first. Personally, I use a liquid and a powder highlight at the same time. I find that liquid highlights blend better and give a more natural look but, the powder highlight just takes it a little farther and makes it look a bit more dramatic. One of my favorite combos is the Givenchy Mister Bright with the Nars Albatross over top. 

- Pop some vitamin C and E - After taking vitamin C and E supplements for a prolonged period of time (about 4 months) not only will you feel better but you'll look better too. These vitamins are proven to help hydrate, tighten, and brighten your skin as well as give you longer more lush hair. Use caution when taking vitamin C supplements if you have hemochromatosis. 

- Hydrate inside and out - A sure fire way to have healthy radiant skin is to stay hydrated. Of course, drinking water and moisturizing is important but its also great to add an extra boost of hydration straight to the skin every once and awhile with a hydrating mask. My go-to mask is the Glamglow ThirstyMUD because it has a range of short and long term results that can be achieved in minutes or left on overnight for even deeper results.

- Exfoliate Exfoliate Exfoliate - Since the winter is notorious for drying out the skin and leaving it dull its really important to exfoliate in one way or another. You can use a gel, mask, or physical exfoliant to do the work depending on your skin type. My favorite exfoliant is the NUDE Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder Wash because it is mild enough to use even on rosacea and has vitamin C and rose hip in it to boost brightening. Removing the dead skin and dry patches will reveal brighter and smoother skin that will make a great base for any makeup that you apply.