Illuminating skincare and makeup products are my go to heroes in spring and summer. But it has taken a while for me to find some favourites because as someone with oily skin it can be difficult to find illuminating products that do not exacerbate my oiliness or make me look slick instead of glowing. So I have collated my group of favourite illuminating skincare and beauty products that vary in price from high street budget finds to some slightly more investment pieces (although still not super expensive and that last ages so well worth the investment).
Illuminating skincare products
I actually found it really difficult to choose my favourite illuminating skincare products as I have found so many over the yearsnow. What I have done is focussed on my three favourites for different stages of a skincare routine:
Cleanser: Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil. I was a little worried about using a cleansing oil for makeup removal because oily skin plus oil doesn’t seem to match in my head, but I can honestly say I love this product. It removes almost all traces of grime with only one wash, and it smells absolutely divine. The vitamin C leaves skin clean, fresh and glowing.
Mask: Sanctuary Spa 1 Minute Daily Glow Mask. I love Sanctuary Spa products for their amazing smell but had only used body products not face until an amazing deal on LookFantastic encouraged me to try this. You pop it on in the morning, I apply it before brushing my teeth and leave it to work its magic while brushing then wash it off in the shower.
Mist: Pixi Rose Glow Mist. Never would I ever have believed what a beautiful glow a simple mist could give my skin till I tried this Pixi product. I have discovered Pixi Beauty in the last year and I really cannot rave enough about EVERYTHING I have tried. It definitely helps that I love rose products on my skin:
- rose helps rebalance skins pH levels and control excess oil on the skin
- rose has anti-inflammatory benefits and is amazing at helping the signs of acne, dermatitis and rosacea
- rose is a revitalising repleshing ingredient restoring moisture and plumpness
- rose is antibacterial, it cleanses clogged pores and helps remove spot causing bacteria
If you think that rose-scented products all smell like old ladies’ perfume, think again. Pixi Rose Glow Mist smells gorgeous and calming so I spray it on after my skincare routine in the evening.
Illuminating makeup products
For me illumination with makeup products is all about a glowing base and subtle highlight rather than using a foundation or bronzer that has illuminating particles in it which can be too much show and not enough glow.
Primer: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector. Never in a month of Sunday’s would I ever have guessed I would be so highly recommending a face primer with the word ‘shimmering’ in it, but here I am. I only tried it because I got a free sample when I made another purchase, and now I’m converted. You can read my full review of this product in this blog post here.
Primer: Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer. As I mentioned I am a recent customer of Pixi and bought this while Christmas shopping last year. I can say with my hand on my heart that when I started wearing this I had no less than 4 people in my office (of around 50 staff, mostly men) ask me what I was doing differently with my make up because I looked so healthy and glowing. Enough said.
Highlighting drops: Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops. So versatile, these can be applied before foundation (which is what I do), mixed with your moisturiser or normal primer, mixed with your foundation, or used only as a highlighter. It is the most subtle of rosy glows and I have been using this product when I apply only concealer and bare natural make up.
Highlighting Fluid: L’oreal Glow Liquid Highlighting Drops. Ok, so the packaging leaves a bit to be desired because the product sticks to the outside of the dropper which makes it super messy to use, bit annoying. But, for this teeny tiny price tag these drops pack a load of punch, I swear you only need the tiniest amount on the cheekbones to make you look like a Victoria’s Secret model.
Cheeks: Pixi Glow Cake Blush in Gilded Bare Glow. A 3 colour in 1 solution to contour, blush, and highlight, this palette from Pixi (Can you see a Pixi theme here? Haha!) is one of the only palettes I own and use. The bronze is quite matte, increasing in illumination up the palette to the lightest highlight colour.
Illuminating body products
Not something I normally wear day to day, but, for a special occasion, an evening out, a garden party, etc, these products will add an extra shimmer to golden tanned skin. I used these first at my mum’s wedding and was hooked. The Iconic London body illuminator fluid and luminous powder buffed on with a giant buffing brush are just so easy to use and yet exude glamour for fun-filled summer evenings.
