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Temptalia Asks You - How do you achieve glowy, flawless skin?
How do you achieve glowy, flawless skin? What are your tips and tricks? What have you learned definitely DOESN’T work?
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Thanks Christine for posting this question. I desperately need help in this department.
I thought it’d be fun to see everyone’s methods and tips 😀
I do all my best but you still can see the imperfections 🙁
After applying my moisturizer, I use my Mac foundation with the 182 kabuki brush. I put more foundation on the parts that need more coverage with a small foundation brush. I put on the concealer around my eyes and on the red spots with a concealer brush and finish my face with Mineralise skinfinish. I usually need to put more concealer on the spots and fix it with my powder again.
As to skin care, I use Nuskin products with the Galvanic spa II system and I La Roche-Posay products on an everyday basis which I love.
mac strobe cream mixed with revlon colourstay and finding a concealer that blends immaculately with your skin and doesnt look obvious. i use keromask, its a theatrical concealer, because it’s exactly like applying my skin on top of my skin.
also, a luminising pressed powder like stila’s IPF applied on top with a big fluffy brush.
It differs when I’m using Mineral foundation and Liquid
On a day to day basis I use Everyday Minerals because it’s faster and I get positive comments about my skin all the time.
After moisturiser, I use my Bobbi Brown cream concealer under my eye using my ring finger, because I’m using a powder foundation, I have to use concealer first. The colour is a little bit warmer than my skintone, which is perfect for the under-eye circles. I use the same concealer for my spots but I apply it very lightly with a brush so it just covers the redness, my foundation is going to correct the colouring for me. Then I use a big flat top buffer brush, like the Italian Badger from Coastal Scents, and buff in my Everyday Minerals. I use semi-matte because I’ve found that it’s what works for me. For my skin I don’t need a finishing powder over this, I just apply a little blush and do my eyebrows and my base is done.
For liquid foundation, I’m liking Mineralize Satinfinish at the moment. I use the 187 (stippling brush) and slowly build coverage all over. And then I get my concealer brush and concealer and cover up everything that’s not looking too perfect. I use a brush for my undereye at this point so I don’t disturb the foundation. Then I finish with some Translucent Powder (Laura Mercier) with a giant fluffy powder brush so it’s not too heavy.
It just depends on how my skin is feeling that day and how much time I have. Generally I use Everyday Minerals just because it’s easy and still looks quite flawless. If you want to use a mineralised concealer I’d recommend the Everyday Minerals Eye Kabuki brush. I don’t know how anyone’s supposed to apply eyeshadow with it but it’s the perfect size to buff concealer in around the nose, under the eye and circular motions around your spots.
My routine:
I use MUFE HD Microperfecting primer in green (01).
MUFE HD invisible cover foundation with my 180 brush.
Mac msf in Medium lightly to set it after I’ve done my cheeks etc.
Sometimes.. I go a little crazy and mix a tad of BE Primetime with the MUFE green primer to smooth it out a little more. Depends on how my skin is acting.
I found that I don’t love the MUFE HD foundation on me unless I use the green primer.
On lazy lazy days… I just use my BE kabuki and Mac MSF in medium and swirl that all over. No primer.. just moisturizer.
For glowy skin, i apply Strobe Liquid all over my face (1 – 2 pumps)
Then apply SFF with 181.
Since SFF is fairly full coverage, the strobe liquid isnt noticeable really.
Then i take a illuminating bronzing loose powder and swipe it on top of my cheek bones, above my eyebrows on my forehead and down the center of my nose.
Then i use a minerliazed blush like Nuance for a glowy cheek.
I think the biggest mistake people make is putting to much shimmer/glowy products on, or putting them all over their face.
I use the Clinqiue 3 step system in #3 and I was my face with the Clairsonic skin care brush to get rid of excess flakes and bring the new fresh skin to the surface. Thats the key to glowing skin–exfoliation! You have to exfoliate the dead dull skin away.
I then use Laure Mercier Mineral powder foundation to enhance that glow. I will use Mac bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks and a Mac MSF in Soft and Gentle on the tops of my cheeks. Then I swirl a little blush on the apples. Viola!
For extremely lazy days I use the MAC 182 Kabuki and buff MSFN all over my skin.. Actually, I seem to get A LOT of compliments on my skin when I just do this haha.. It’s simple and gives me nice coverage without seeming fake.
Most days though, I apply a heavy moisturizer all over my skin (dry skin is the pits :/) and then I apply Smashbox Photofinish Light mixed with MUFE HD Primer in Mauve. I then take my MAC 187 brush and mix 2 parts MUFE HD Foundation with 1 part Strobe cream. I stipple that all over my face and down my neck a bit. Then, I use the 182 brush to buff either MSFN or MUFE HD all over LIGHTLY my face.
I’ve had compliments on both of these so I’d recommend it!
also.. find a great dermatologist. ever since I started going to mine, I haven’t broken out at all in six months 🙂
forgot to add.. After foundation I use my finger to lightly press Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer in a salmon color (to cancel out blue) on my under eye circles.
So this is what I do (and what works for me; also I’m throwing in some tips on some other products I have tried and liked that I would use for this look):
First: To start: I always, always prime my face with moisturizer and silicone primer. I use Shikai Borage Dry Skin Therapy Facial Moisturizer w/SPF 15 and Your Best Friend Neutralizing Primer on Face. I also prime eyes with I.D. Bare Minerals Prime Time Eye Primer, which is so so good in keeping any powder eyeshadow and liquid liner put if you have oily lids.
Second: For the face: I mix my foundation from the many I own, but I highly recommend mineral foundation as well as highlighter (note: always keep your textures consistent–powder highlighter for powder foundation; liquid/cream highlighter with liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer–unless you want a cakey mess) for that pretty pearlescent J-Lo glow. Bare Escentuals makes a popular one, but I know that has made many people break out because of the bismuth oxychloride (which is basically a mining byproduct/cosmetic filler ingredient). Try Afterglow Mineral Foundation: it doesn’t contain bismuth oxychloride and is known to be less irritating. They have sample kits if you aren’t sure about your coloring. For highlighter–try Your Best Friend Highlighting Cream or MAC Strobe Cream underneath makeup for a natural glow that looks like you put on some highlighter.
Concealer is always a must for flawless looking skin no matter what. I definitely need it since I have pretty dark circles. Try Fast Fix Concealer from Carmindy’s line with Sally Hansen: Natural Beauty. It’s a cream concealer and works well. Comes in different skin tones from fair to dark and also in color corrective tones (lavender (brightener) and pale peach (neutralizer)).
Finally: Blush! So what I really love about MAC is that they have a variety of finishes and shades of blush that work really well with everyone. Right now, I’m in love with Dainty Mineralize Blush because it gives a soft shimmering peach color to the cheeks that looks like I’m glowing from within. It will definitely work for you if you’re fair to medium (I’m somewhere in between that). If you’re a little darker, try Nuance, Love Joy, or Warm Soul Mineralize Blushes. They’re warm colors that will provide a similar glowy effect.
Lips and eyes probably should be kept light for an ethereal effect. But with a good canvas, you could play with color quite a bit. Just don’t overdo it with shimmer. That just makes you look like a headlight.
All i know is i never ever intend to use macs mineral products ever again. after weeks of super dry and scaly flaky skin i realised it was the mineralise products doing it. its taken ages for my skin to recover and finally im there. phew! LOL
Well i guess the upside is ill be saving money from not buying MSF’s and the mineral blushes hehehe. i was undecided on the mineral eyeshadows but now im not taking the risk with my eyes. (anyone wanna buy my petticoat and so ceylon sniff sniff:( )
I have dry skin, so my face drinks up that dewy look all the time. I pretty much rock the dewy face more than the matte, I suppose. Well, here’s what’s always worked for me:
Mix foundation with some moisturizer.
It won’t necessarily sheer out the foundation too much if you proportion it to 1 blob moisturizer with 2 blobs foundation. I like MAC Select Foundation (I use NC30), L’Oreal True Match (N3 for my medium skintone; this has a little sparkle in it, but the shade really does brighten me up) and Olay Complete All Day Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 for sensitive skin.
You would add concealer at this point. I usually don’t wear concealer, since I just layer the foundation for more coverage on some spots and undereye circles.
Use powder foundation.
This helps build coverage and prevent too much shine; buff it on any uneven surfaces (esp. the T-Zone). Leave the cheekbones, temples, and chin alone. I like Dior powders; they’re totally non-cakey.
Wear shimmery blush.
There’s no point in using a matte blush for your dewy complexion, right? Or, you could try a sheer, matte blush, too. I like Coygirl (the matte) and Well Dressed (LOVE).
You could add some bronzer or highlighting POWDER now.
I normally don’t, since I’m pretty dewy by now. More shimmer is better for nightime when the lights are dim, though. Just sweep it gently on the temples, and I like to brush a little bit in the dip of my chin.
I think the key is applying minimum amount of product! I have super clear skin so if I need to put foundation, I just apply Lancome Color Ideal with a MAC190 brush but only to my nose and inner upper cheakbones to smooth out my skintone. Then I powder Guerlaid Meteorites in Beige chic 03 as a highlighter all over loosly. I think a dewey look isn’t complete without a superrr natural and light blush, so I dust Dainty on with my benefit blush brush (just the standard one which comes with Georgia/Dandilion/Dallas/Throoob)
I like to use apply some MAC Studio Fix wit a damp sponge.I usually apply 2 layers(the damp sponge helps make sure its not too thick).Then I go over that with my Bare minerals foundation using my kabuki brush and buff that in all over and then finish with some mineral veil.As a final touch i spray my brush with fix+ and buff it on to take away the powder look.I only use this when im going out:p
I mix Stila Liquid Luminizer or Revlon Bare It All shimmer lotion In Buff Love with my foundation (I don’t see the point in applying them as separate layers, it just seems a waste of product) and use a Smashbox foundation brush to apply. Then use a buffing brush very lightly in a circular motion – the foundation just seems to *melt* into skin. Good concealer where needed and use the biggest softest brush (not a dense one – I have an Estee Lauder one I got as part of a GWP and it is GREAT) you can find to apply powder – semi matte is best, really brings out the glow.
On cheeks, I use a medium bright blush as a pop of colour on the apples of my cheeks and them use an angled blush brush to apply a softer, warmer shade up over my cheekbones toward my hairline. For a bit of extra omph! I use a Dior Skin Shimmer to highlight.
I drink lots and lots of water. Seriously, I drink 8 glasses of water a day. I make sure the inside is fine so that the outside can glow!
This is such a boring answer, but I work out daily, drink a lot of water, get enough sleep, take vitamins, stay out the sun (SPF 30 if I so much as open a window) and use a gentle glycolic acid cleanser. And on bad days… YSL Touche Eclat under my eyes and a pop of NYX “Pinky” blush on my cheeks.