Ask someone to describe how they feel about the month of January and nine times out of ten they respond by making a “blergh” sound, rather than bothering to use actual words. It’s the Spencer Pratt of months – no one is a fan. But just because you feel miserable on the inside doesn’t mean you should look miserable on the outside. Fake a radiant, rested, happy glow and you might just start feel like it’s July, not January. Here are three products that will help you fake it until you make it:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

You probably fall into one of two categories here… if you don’t already adore by the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette you’ve probably read about it non-stop. It’s a favourite of makeup artists, celebrities, bloggers and beauty journalists, and I’ve just joined the Ambient Lighting cheerleading squad too. There are three complexion powders in the palette – dim, incandescent and radiant – which mimic flattering lighting and cancel out harsh light sources. The website says it’s like “having a personal lighting technician at your disposal” and I wouldn’t disagree.

I wear dim light (the only matte shade in the palette) all over my face as a setting powder and radiant light as a blush/bronzer. Incandescent light is best suited to highlighting, which I only do on occasion.

Granted, it’s an extra step in any makeup routine, rather than a necessity, but once you start using these powders you’ll find it hard to stop. The palette is £56, but if you wanted to save you could just go for the solo dim light compact which is a more affordable £36. Either way, it’s one purchase that is worth the luxury price tag.

Olay Complete Care Everyday Sunshine Moisturiser

Everyone looks and feels better with a tan; it’s a universal fact of life. And whenever I feel like I need a bit of colour I use Olay Complete Care Everyday Sunshine Moisturiser, which is a bargainous £9.99. Unfortunately it does leave my skin feeling a little bit oily, so I have to load up on the translucent powder and blotting paper whenever I’m wearing it, but the colour is as natural as you can get from a bottle (for my skin tone, at least) and you look noticeably darker after just one application. I got hooked on it last summer and have kept a bottle in my bathroom cabinet ever since.

Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base

I’ve written about Le Blanc de Chanel multiple times in the past, because it has so many great uses. Applied as a primer it illuminates and evens out skin tone, leaving a radiant glow. You can also blend it together with your foundation, so your coverage has a has a bit of kick (a great trick to try if your complexion is looking a little dull). And, if that wasn’t enough, you can also dab a tiny amount underneath the eyes to help disguise dark circles, which instantly makes you look more awake. I always have a bottle to hand, but I’ve been using it even more than normal throughout January, as if it’s a magic potion.

Which products do you turn to when you want radiant, glowing skin? Leave a comment and let me know.

Photos by Kylie Martin | Taken at One Aldwych Hotel

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