My Favorite Products for Glowy Skin

Take a shot every time I say “glow” in this post … just kidding, don’t, you’ll die.

When I think back to my makeup preferences from a few years ago, it’s crazy how different they are from today’s. I was all about the matte finish in my late teens/early 20s. I mean matte — matte skin, matte eye looks, matte lip. But now I much prefer a glowy skin look, sometimes natural, sometimes all out, borderline sweaty glow. Today I’m highlighting all of my favorite products for glowy skin right now.

[ makeup primers ]

Josie Maran Daily Moisturizer SPF 47*: While this is part of my skincare, not really my makeup, I still wanted to include it here. Because if I want ultra dewy skin, I reach for this. It’s a moisturizer/SPF product, but it adds so much glow to your face that shows through makeup. And it’s moisturizing/SPF benefits are a bonus.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer*: I love these illuminating moisturizing/priming products. Think MAC Strobe Creams*, Mayebelline has a few* that are good, as does Glam Glow*. I just love how hydrated the make my skin feel while adding a ton of natural glow. They can also be used in a very targeted way as more of a highlight than an all over glowy finish.

Glossier Future Dew*: A fun oil serum hybrid, this is going to give your skin a gleamy look in the moment like a makeup primer might. But if used over time, it’s going to brighten the skin like a serum would. And the oil in the formula adds a layer of hydration. I don’t use this as a step in my skincare, however, but as the first step in my makeup routine.

VDL Lumilayer Primer*: I got this in an Allure Box, and I kind of wrote it off. I just tossed in my makeup drawer. But when I brought it out, I fell in love. Since it’s a makeup primer, it stays a little tacky and helps makeup adhere. But it adds a gorgeous, healthy and hydrated glow to the skin without any glitters or shimmers.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter*: I find this product to be so sumptuous. It’s just one of those formulas that feels good on the skin. I don’t think this helps your makeup last, but the candlelit glow you get from it is just as good.

[ base ]

L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation*: While this isn’t labeled an illluminating or radiant finish foundation, I find the natural finish to leave the skin with a very natural looking glow — especially when applied with a damp beauty sponge. (Take this recommendation with a grain of salt. Our skin may react differently and take to makeup differently. But the longer I wear this, the more glowy and skinlike it looks. But if you’re pairing it with a hydrating/illuminating primer, you’ll be more inclined to get that finish.)

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Stick Foundation* + Tinted Moisturizer*: I wont’ linger here. If you’re a reader, you know I love this Complexion Rescue line and use it nearly everyday as of late. Read my stick foundation review here and a brief review of the tinted moisturizer here.

Kosas Revealer Concealer*: This has a very radiant finish and medium coverage. It’s not greasy, and I love it. I like this under my eye to add a glow under there. You may not like it if you have oily skin.

Covergirl Undercover Concealer*: This one isn’t quite as as radiant, but the naturally glowy finish makes it great for coverage on the face (without bringing attention to blemishes) but also under the eye.

Hourglass Veil Setting Powder*: I just spoke on this in my June favorites, so I won’t stay here too long. I find this to be very brightening and lightweight. So it doesn’t mattify any of the glow from products you’ve previously applied.

Hourglass Finishing Powders*: And like the setting powder, these are very lightweight so they won’t disturb any glow beneath them. These are great for making everything on your face look seamless and blurred.

[ cheeks ]

Hourglass Bronzers*: It’s very luminous. It looks like there’s a ton of glitter in the pan, but it doesn’t look like that on the cheeks. It’s very lightweight, and because of that blends out leaving just a tint of color behind and allowing whatever is behind it to show through.

MAC Glow Play Blushes*: This is a powder blush, but the radiant finish leaves behind a beautiful glow. And the powder itself is so creamy that it blends onto the skin amazingly.

Nudestix Nudies Bloom All Over Dewy Color*: A cream option for blush are the dewy Nudies cream blushes from Nudestix. These are a lot more pigmented than the MAC Glow Play Blushes, but give your skin a very naturally blushed look. And they’re easy to swipe on a light wash or build it up for more impact.

Ciate Highlighting Balm*: I have three highlights here, and they’re all different. This one is a very oily/balmy texture. There is no color or glitter to it. It just leaves a wet glow behind.

Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Illuminator*: This is more of a cream highlight. It also leaves a wetter looking glow to the skin but has a silvery white base and gold shimmer effect. It’s really beautiful and melts into the skin so there’s no harsh line.

Nars Highlighter (Fort de France)*: That’s just the shade I use, but it comes in a variety. This one is a powder. I don’t have to think about this at all. I like to kind of work through the top layer, and then once you do, it’s like butter. And every time you put it on your face, it gets better. It looks liquid and doesn’t pick up on any texture. But it wear like a powder. Chef’s kiss.

[ finishing spray ]

Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist*: And to top everything off is a finishing spray. I love this one from Tatcha. It’s so luscious and smells amazing. And adds a delicate, wet looking glow to the skin.

L’Oreal Shake and Glow Dew Mist*: This does the same as the Tatcha option but is a fraction of the price. I like the glow the Tatcha gives a tid bit more — it’s a little more sweaty looking, in a good way. However, this has a much better mist and makes my makeup last a little longer, in my opinion.

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That was a lot, but these are all of my favorite products for glowy skin right now. Are you more a glowy or matte skin kind of girl/guy? While I have you, be sure to check out this post on tips for achieving glowy skin.