The Tuesday Tip: Make Your Foundation Glow

Achieving gorgeous glowing skin is on every girl's wishlist but, luckily, you can create it by adding a small step to your makeup routine. This extra step just requires a mosituriser, liquid foundation and liquid illuminator...

Weekly Worship: Antipodes & Simple

Price: £5.33 50ml

Stockist: Boots

I am obsessed with bright and radiant skin. My foundations have to have a dewy finish, my makeup can never be matte (expect for lips!) and I am forever stocking up on skincare that promises to brighten my skin. So it's no surprise that the Simple Kind To Skin Illuminating Radiance Cream got my attention when I recently attended a Simple press event.

I have been using the Illuminating Radiance Cream for the last two weeks and, considering its price, I'm very impressed. The cream has a medium to thin consistency which feels lightweight on the skin. It is scentless, colourless and absorbs relatively quickly, leaving skin soft and nourished.

The cream does contain very tiny glitter particles that sit on the skin evenly when it's applied. Some people aren't cool with glitter in skincare - I get it - however these particles are very hard to spot with the naked eye and they don't leave you looking like a glitter ball, I promise! As for illuminating the skin, this cream does an amazing job. My skin looks bright and more youthful once applied and it helps give my foundation added radiance and staying power. It also has a SPF 15 which is a great added extra!

Price: £27.99 / $42.00 30ml

Stockist: feelunique.com / antipodesnature.com

The Antipodes Hosanna H2O Intensive Skin-Plumping Serum is not a new product; for me or the beauty shelves. However it is one of my favourite hydrating serums and I thought it was about time I shared my love for it.

This water-based serum is a real hydrating hero. It absorbs quickly and, unlike other hydrating serums, doesn't leave any stickiness on the skin after application. It instantly hydrates my skin and brings it back to life, so I'm always reaching for it whenever I am sick, hungover or suffering from extreme dehydration. Its ability to instantly hydrate isn't the only thing I love about this serum; it provides some great anti-ageing benefits too. In vitro testing has shown it to stimulate collagen production by up to 72%!

Like all Antipodes products, it contains 100% natural ingredients and is also certified organic. So it's a great f**k you to those who think green beauty products don't pack a punch!

Weekly Worship: Cover FX Illuminator

Price: £25.00 / $28.00 50ml

Stockist: House of Fraser / Sephora

I recently got my hands on a miracle product that transforms the look of my skin instantly. In fact, every time I apply this product I receive lovely compliments on how great my skin looks. You'll be surprised to read that the product is neither a primer, foundation or concealer. The miracle product is in fact an illuminator, the Cover FX Illuminator to be exact.

The Cover FX  Illuminator is an illuminating powder that gives skin the most beautiful, natural glow. It has a soft finish and a lightweight texture that it easily blendable. It is these qualities that prevent the Illuminator looking harsh or too shiny on the skin.

However, what really makes the Cover FX  Illuminator so amazing is that, when applied, it enables certain flaws (such as acne, redness or pigmentation) to go unnoticed. It is by far the best illuminating powder I have ever used...I'm hooked! 

Faithful Four: Illuminating Foundations

YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation

Promise: “The light of Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty”

Price: £29.00/$55.00 30ml 

Purchase: www.yslbeauty.co.uk, www.yslbeautyus.com, Saks Fifth Avenue

YSL's Touche Éclat foundation is the latest addition to the Touche Éclat family and, for this reason, it was one of the most anticipated beauty products of 2012. Available in a wide number of shades, this medium coverage foundation has a runny, gel-like texture that helps it glide onto the skin. However, what makes this foundation exceptional is the beautiful finish. Unlike some illuminating foundations, the Touche Éclat is able to brighten the skin and promote a natural glow without leaving skin looking greasy or too shiny. In addition, this foundation is long lasting, has a SPF19 and smells amazing. The only downside is the pump - it is almost impossible to control exactly how much comes out when you use it.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Promise: “A glowing, satin-finish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage that immaculately evens skin tone. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves the skin's brightness and texture”
Price: £30.50/$44.00 30ml
Purchase: House of Fraser, narscosmetics.co.uk, narscosmetics.com

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is a much-hyped foundation for good reason. It provides a beautiful satin finish that helps to even-out skin tone and brighten skin. Although the foundation is named 'Sheer Glow', the coverage is medium and is easily buildable. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance free, however it is lacking in a SPF. This foundation's greatest strength is that it is incredibly hydrating - a real plus for those with dry skin. The only downside is that this foundation has no pump, which is surprising when you consider how much it costs.

Chanel Vitalumiére

Promise: “The light texture of Vitalumière gives a slightly satin finish, for a radiant, natural, youthful–looking make–up”
Price: £34.00/$55.00 30ml

Purchase: House of Fraser, The Garden, Nordstrom

Vitalumiére is a real hero in the foundation world. It has won numerous beauty awards and is one the best illuminating foundations on the market. Though on the pricey side, this easy-to-apply foundation provides medium coverage and builds incredibly well without caking. It leaves a beautiful dewy finish to the skin, helping to reflect imperfections and give a youthful, fresh appearance. It is the perfect foundation for dry skin and also has a SPF15. The only downside to this foundation? It has to be set with loose powder as it can often make skin appear too shiny in photos. 

Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation

Promise: “Never heavy, chalky, or dull, Illuminating Liquid Foundation glides on weightlessly for sheer-to-medium coverage and a silky semi-matte finish that evens out flaws while letting your skin's natural luminescence shine through”

Price: £25.00/$38.00 30ml 

Purchase: Boots, Sephora, BeautyBay.com

Stila's Illuminating Liquid foundation, unlike other illuminating foundations, actually contains tiny particles of glitter. Some people love this aspect, whilst others see it is as a huge downside. I personally think its a benefit, however it does mean that I only wear this foundation during the evening. Although described as having a semi-matte finish, I would consider the finish to be quite dewy. The coverage is sheer to medium and is buildable and easy to apply. This foundation's greatest strength is that it does not aggravate the skin, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. Even when heavily built-up, this foundation feels lightweight and soothing on the skin. The downside to this foundation is that it is lacking a SPF.