Beauty Spotlight: Radiance Primers.
For me, anything that promises a glow is a-ok. I really think radiance primers are the game-changers, taking any skin type from dull to healthy and perfected. One of the questions I get most often is how I get my skin so glowing and I have to say, I rarely go a day without applying a bit of radiance.
My skin is, overall, quite good – I get the odd blemish that glows bright red and then scars and I have some uneven tone from blemish scars but with the right products, it looks pretty good if I do say so myself. I find that anything that offers some form of radiance really gives the skin that soft-focus “Made In Chelsea” kind of look, pores and blemishes seem to blur and your skin just looks incredible. I usually mix two primers, I use one for radiance and then another to smooth – it makes all the difference, especially if you have more than one skin concern (ie pores and dullness). You can either mix them together on your hand and apply all over or just use each where you need them.
I have many amazing radiance primers so it was rather hard to narrow these down – I think I’ve picked the cream of the crop here, however. I’ll start with the highly-accredited BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector – you may have heard of these gems and I highly recommend you snap one up when BECCA make their comeback to Space NK this month. I have the shade Opal which is what I like in a primer, a soft pinky shade that warms the skin. I rarely wear white luminizing products as I think they can make your skin look pale and white rather than warm and radiant. This tube of goodness has been in my collection for a while now and it’s love, I also have a new shade launching soon called Moonstone which is more of a gold – very, very lovely. These aren’t too shimmery and provide gorgeous, glowy coverage that gives you that “lit from within” look. I love mixing these with a smoothing primer – such a beautiful finish to makeup.
Next up is another favourite, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance. I have to say this is a recent addition to the stash and it’s already worked it’s way to the top. I like this because it’s again got a small amount of colour to it that provides a sheer, dewy finish rather than a tint. I use this under or mixed in with foundation or tinted moisturiser for the best skin in the city (maybe). I like this because you get rather a lot for the price and the results are always perfected skin and an all round flawless complexion. It’s lighter than the BECCA variation and applies more like a moisturiser for an even, all over touch of radiance in a flash.
This Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion in Flash is another recent edition to my collection, although it’s a small size it really packs a punch – very glowing with an iridescent shimmer. I actually like mixing with in with my moisturiser for an all-over glow but you could just sweep it on your best features (cheekbones, brow bone, down the nose) for a highlight that catches the light in all the right places. If you don’t fancy a glow all over, reach for this one.
One of the best budget buys for a luminizing primer is the L’Oreal Lumi Magique Primer*, I don’t love this as much as the others here, the white colour (although it blends in perfectly) isn’t as flattering as the warmer tones are for me. I do think for the price, it’s pretty awesome and always leaves me looking so radiant rather than shiny or shimmery. If you like an affordable buy, I really recommend this.
Lastly, the Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector in Rose Shimmer is one of the best products for waking up skin and giving you a glowy complexion. This isn’t as shimmery as some of the others here, the radiance is much more subtle but the rose tint is great for perking up skin. If your complexion is looking a little tired and dull but you don’t fancy anything too shimmery, add this in to your routine before your base (or alone) to see a big difference.
Do you use a radiance primer?
