Although it’s been freezing in SF lately, not all of us are jet-setting to tropical vacay this season. So for those of us who are stuck in the dreary cold, here are some ways I like to look sun-kissed, even on the dreariest days:
STEP 1: PREP
For your base, it’s best to start with a freshly exfoliated face. Make sure your skin has been moisturized well so that dryness doesn’t get in the way of your makeup application.
TATCHA
THE WATER GEL
STEP 2: PRIME
Prime your face by using a priming spray with a dewy finish, like Colourpop’s Rose Quartz Crystal Priming Spray.
COLOURPOP
Rose Quartz Crystal Priming Spray
STEP 3: ADD A LUMINOUS PRIMER
For a glowy, natural look, I like to start with the Becca primer. Then, I apply a sheer coverage foundation so that the primer shines through. For any other blemishes or dark spots, I use a creamy concealer (try the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer or Glossier Stretch Concealer) to keep the dewy finish.
BECCA
BACKLIGHT PRIMING FILTER
STEP 4: CONTOUR + BRONZE
To bronze up your look, start with a cream contour like the Clinque Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour. With a smaller fluffy brush, set the cream contour with a matte bronzer (try the
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer) Then, with a big fluffy brush, use a shimmery bronzer like
Buxom Hot Escapes Bronzer to warm up the rest of your skin.
Bonus tip! Lightly brush the shimmery bronzer across the tops of your cheeks and nose to create the illusion of being out in the sun.
CLINIQUE
CHUBBY STICK SCULPTING CONTOUR
STEP 5: CHOOSE A NEUTRAL BLUSH
With a tan colored blush like Burt’s Bees Blush in Toasted Cinnamon, use the draping technique to apply blush on your cheekbones rather than on the apples of your cheeks. This technique gives a more natural flush to the cheeks.
BURT’S BEES
BLUSH
STEP 6: HIGHLIGHT USING WARMER TONES
Instead of using a super shimmery or glittery highlighter, try using a highlighter that gives off more of a subtle sheen. The Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact is my favorite highlight for a soft luminous glow.
LAURA MERCIER
MATTE RADIANCE BAKED POWDER COMPACT
STEP 7: SET YOUR MAKEUP
When you’re completely done with all of your makeup, set the parts of your face that tend to get oily. Use a smaller setting brush and concentrate the powder on only those spots. For me, those spots tend to be the center of my forehead, above my eyebrows, and around my nose.
KAT VON D
LOCK-IT SETTING POWDER
STEP 8: SET
Use a setting spray like the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist or the Pixi by Petra Glow Mist to set your finished look.
TATCHA
LUMINOUS DEWY SKIN MIST
I love the look of tan, dewy skin all year round. Even though my skin gets dry and pale in the winter, I’m glad that makeup can make it look like I’ve been at the beach all day!
