Oyster Magazine, "Moon Child"
Milk Makeup, Face Gloss
If dewy, high-gloss skin ever stops being cool, you can count on me falling out of trend right along with it. This look is way too good to throw away with the change of seasons, and I plan on adopting it, nurturing it, and raising it as my own. Balmy eyelids? Check. Full, pouty lips that always look a little bit wet? Sign me up. Cheek bones so bright they could be confused with bicycle reflectors? Yes, PLEASE!
The best part of this summer’s biggest makeup trend? There’s hardly room for any makeup at all, meaning we can embrace our natural beauty a little more while simplifying our daily routines a lot. This is practically a no-brainer for the sweaty months of July and August; dark eyeliner sliding down my cheek and foundation pooling in my cupid’s bow has never been a good look. But I might be even more excited to sport the dewy skin uniform come winter, when my face starts getting dry, sensitive, and dull. There’s no such thing as too many layers of moisturizer when building the base for a glowy complexion. And plush, hydrated skin doesn’t need the help of foundation that will only bring attention to flakes of dead skin anyway.I’ve always been a vocal advocate for putting skincare first and makeup second, and there’s never been a beauty trend that falls more perfectly in line with this philosophy.
Sephora shelves and online shopping carts have recently been flooded with new products that deliver high shine, making it nearly impossible to choose which highlighter to try next. While my wish list remains long (let’s get real here, it never actually shrinks), I have managed to settle on some favorites that help me achieve the perfect glow.
Ashley Moore, Nous Model Management
After completing my morning skincare routine (remember – healthy skin is key!) I apply a few layers of Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer, the perfect lightweight and hydrating base for dewy skin. I love that this moisturizer is buildable, making it a particularly good choice for summer. If my skin is feeling extra parched or irritated, I’ll layer this on top of my favorite Lait-Crème Concentré from Embryolisse.
When high shine is the goal, Milk Makeup’s Face Gloss has no competition. It’s totally clear, which also means that it’s insanely versatile and perfect for slicking lips, eyelids, cheeks, and any place else you want to reflect light. For a subtler, but equally pretty look, I reach for Balm Dotcom from Glossier. Actually, for most things, I reach for this balm; it’s the perfect multi-use salve that soothes cracked lips, a dry nose, and tough cuticles, amongst many other skincare woes. I especially love the coconut version, which I wear on my lips and my lids virtually every day.
If there is a highlighter prettier than the Living Luminizer from RMS Beauty, I have yet to find it. Its pearl-like finish is especially beautiful when brushed along the inner corners of the eyes and into other delicate areas that are hard to reach with products in clumsier packaging. My most-used product release from Summer 2016 has been Glossier's Haloscope. This easy-to-apply highlighting stick is infused with real crystals and comes in two shades (both of which are lovely, one of which is on backorder, naturally). While Quartz is my do-all, Holy Grail shade, I love Topaz for a summery, bronzed look that replaces any need for blush. I know many Haloscope lovers have been combining the two shades, but I actually prefer to add a matte highlight when sporting Topaz, which is why I have found myself reaching for my winter crutch: The Cream Contour Kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Using the lightest shade from this palette on the tops of my cheekbones, the corners of my eyes, and along my brow keeps my face bright without looking overly glittery. My other essential for big, bright eyes is a creamy, long-lasting white eyeliner, like the NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Santa Monica Blvd. Yes, I said white. Not peach, not nude; for me, the brighter the better.
Finishing with a rosewater spray, like Herbivore Botanicals' Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist, made with coconut water, keeps everything in place while adding another dose of hydration and dew. Mario Badescu's Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater is an equally refreshing but more wallet-friendly choice, and like the other mist, can be spritzed throughout the day to cool and brighten skin.
