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Lighten up: the best illuminating make-up
Beat the winter gloom with these skin highlighters for a healthy looking glow
A new year may be the time to find the "new you", but it's hard to feel like a shiny new version of yourself with dull skin brought on by the ravages of winter. Cold air, heating, rain, snow, over eating, too much champagne, too many late nights and not enough sunlight leave most looking a bit wan and peaky. To get that inner glow back, you could hit the gym and the fruit and veg aisle, but that's going to take a while. In the meantime, fake it until you make it with this collection of the best illuminators and highlighters.
Jouer Cosmetics Powder Highlighter in Rose Gold
Jouer's highly rated collection of shimmering lipstick toppers, eyeshadows and off-matte Luminizing Moisture Tint bases all add a beautiful glow. But the real must-have is its collection of wearable pressed powder highlighters, including a rose-gold version that when brushed over cheek and brow bones adds a healthy, angelic glow.
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Becca's collection of highlighters and illuminators is rightfully praised as one of the best and most diverse available. Try the pressed powder or liquid Skin Perfector highlighters in a range of wearable shimmering shades or the brand's glow palette made in collaboration with model Chrissy Teigen. But perhaps the best place to start for an all-over glow is the Lit From Within kit, a duo of the brand's bestselling Backlight Priming Filter, which is infused with crushed pearls to blur the complexion and add glow, and Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Opal to add a flash of light that suits most skin tones.
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Nars Illuminator in Orgasm
Nars's Orgasm is a cult favourite for a good reason, and it's not just because of the cheeky name. This peachy bronze illuminator started out as a powder blusher and is now available as a lipstick, lip gloss and as The Multiple cream stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. Add a drop to your foundation or moisturiser for an all-over glow or dab some on your cheekbones for a healthy shimmer.
For an intense shimmer, few products are better than Jelly Pong Pong's Glow Getter Lumizer Gel. The gel is highly pigmented and extremely flattering and just a touch is needed to add an irresistible shimmer to cheek bones or your cupid's bow. Add a tiny amount next to the inner corner of your eye to look instantly more awake and fresh faced.
Kevyn Aucoin The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting Highlighter
Make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin's work defined the look of the most stylish and iconic women in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, so iconic is his work that a documentary about his life and work featuring his home videos of supermodels, actresses and celebrities was released last year and should be available to UK audiences soon. In the meantime, stock up on some of his most beloved products to get your skin camera and catwalk-ready (or just ready for the office). Try The Celestial Skin Liquid Lighting Highlighter that can be used under foundation to prime or on top of foundation on cheeks and brows to highlight. Its light and shimmering formula smooths over imperfections and gives skin luminosity.
High Street favourite NYX's range of highlighters in bold shades may look intimidating but blend seamlessly and leave an impeccable finish. The pressed powder Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powders give the face or decolletage an iridescent gleam ranging from light-bending lavender to a burnished peach. Also worth trying is NYX's Strobe of Genius Holographic Stick in Mermaid Armour or Electric Invasion, which leave a soft and sophisticated glimmer when blending on the areas of the face that the light hits.
