For the longest time any product with the word 'glow' in the name or description would send shivers down my spine. My face is prone to becoming an oil slick, so I thought that a glow-y look just wasn't for me. However I've since discovered the 'matte glow' (yes, I just made that up), which is a way to get a radiance to your skin without any sort of glitter or dewiness. These products are perfect for combination and oilier skin types if you want to turn your shine into glow.
1. Prime
Firstly you'll want to start with a primer to stop your makeup slipping/melting down your face during a long day (you know what I mean!) I like the Body Shop Instablur Primer (£14, review here) as it's one of the few that reduces my shine as well as reducing the appearance of large pores and imperfections. I often find that primers billed as 'matte' are such a dry consistency that they don't really do anything to smooth out the surface of my skin. If you find this too then I really recommend Instablur. If you don't like or wear primer then you can skip this step!
2. Foundation & Blotting
My everyday foundation is Nars Sheer Glow (£31, review here). I didn't get this foundation for aaages as the name made me think it would have a dewy finish however it doesn't at all, I can best describe it as 'satin'. It makes your skin look radiant and glowing without any sort of shine or 'wetness'. At this point I blot my face with the Essence All About Matt Oil Control Paper (£2). I don't like doing this at the end as I find it can disrupt and smudge my finished face of makeup and I don't find that the products I apply after foundation really add any shine to my face.
3. Conceal & Powder
The concealer I really recommend for oily/combination skin is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22, review here). I don't find it creases at all and it gives really amazing coverage. The drier texture makes it ideal if you're prone to facial shine. I then finish off my base with the Bourjois Healthy Balance Compact Powder (£8.99) which eliminates the shine in my t-zone especially without leaving my skin looking flat.
4. Blush
It can be really hard to work with cream formulas on oilier skin types, so instead of that I recommend a highlighting powder blusher to get a bit of radiance into your skin. My favourite is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush (£28) as it applies to my skin evenly without it being any effort at all and doesn't rub off or go patchy during the day. A drugstore alternative would be the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink (£8.99, buy here).
5. Bronze and/or Highlight
This next step isn't really necessary for an everyday look but if you want to go the extra mile, these are the highlighter and bronzer products I recommend for shine-prone skin. For bronzer I recommend the Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Bronzer in Ready to Go (£4). It's pretty much the definition of 'matte glow', giving a sheeny golden radiance without a hint of shimmer or dewiness. These remind me a lot of the Laura Mercier ones. For a highlighting setting powder I recommend the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light (£38, post here). As I've mentioned previously, I do think this is overpriced for what it is but it's nice to have if you fancy a treat. As with the blushes, some of this range does have glitter in but not Dim Light. It's a neutral-beige sheeny powder that gives your skin a real radiance. A similar but cheaper option would be the Makeup Revolution Radiant Light Powder in Breathe (£5, buy here).
I've swatched some of the products below and with the exception of the blusher this is the look I'm wearing in my profile image! I am more combination than full-on oily but with this base I don't even have to re-apply powder during the day, which is pretty much unheard-of for me. It takes around 10-12 hours for the first signs of shine to start coming through, meaning it's not something I have to keep worrying about when I'm busy at work or on the go.
What are your tips for getting glowing skin without the shine?
What are your tips for getting glowing skin without the shine?
InstaBlur is so good! I usually use it on my nose to get it perfectly smooth. ;) I have normal/dry skin so cannot comment on the part of oily skin, but you have gorgeous selection here!
ReplyDeleteMademoiselle-Lala.com
I really like it too :) xx
DeleteI definitely struggle with that! I need to mattify my skin first, in order to add a healthy glow, which I do with my maxfactor creeme puff blush and highlighters such as the Watts Up from benefit or my Mary-Lou Manizer!
ReplyDeleteLove, Charline | Charline Has a Blog
Yeah I think it's good to keep your foundation/concealer quite matte then add in the glow later :) xx
DeleteSuch beautiful products recommended. I really want to try ambient lighting powder and blush. I've heard such good things and the packaging is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteKatya | The Beauty Harbour
The blushes are worth the splurge for me :) xx
DeleteThis post is brilliant! I have exactly the same skin combination and get scared at the word 'glow'
ReplyDeleteDefinitely going to get the NARS foundation and concealer now. I've been put off getting them for a while.
Sophie x
www.booksandbeauty.co.uk
It's really perfect for a shine-free but non-drying finish :) xx
DeleteI love how Nars Sheer Glow seems to work for so many skin types. It gives my oily skin the perfect amount of non-greasy glow! I'll have to try Instablur - it sounds great :)
ReplyDeleteAmy | Lilac Lemon
Yeah it really does seem to be universally loved! xx
DeletePerfect! That is exactly it too. You don't need to be oily to be "glowy". And these are great products to create that look.
ReplyDeleteAngie x | Chocolate & Lipstick || UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
Glad you enjoyed :) xx
DeleteSome amazing picks! The Revolution Bronzer looks lovely x
ReplyDeleteEmma | Emmys Blog
It really is fantastic! xx
DeleteThe makeup revolution bronzer looks really good, and great for summer so I'll have to check that one out! I generally layer primers and moisturisers underneath to add shine and then mattify it with stay matte :)
ReplyDeleteVelvet Blush
It really is lovely! xx
DeleteI love sheer glow it's incredible. I need to get my hands on one of the hourglass blushes! x
ReplyDeletehttp://www.coleoftheball.com
I agree and the blushes are just incredible! xx
DeleteAhh every time I go into the Body Shop I mean to pick up Instablur! It sounds so good. I really want to try Nars Sheer Glow too. I have only ever heard good reviews about it x
ReplyDeleteMapped Out | Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle
It really is worth the hype - it's grown on me so much! xx
DeleteThis post was spot on!! I too have oily skin so usually stay away from that 'glow' look so must try out some of the products you mentioned x
ReplyDeleteBlushhx
Hope you enjoy them :) xx
DeleteI have dry skin, so if someone tells me my skin looks shiny, it's a big compliment! Lol
ReplyDeleteRachelShuchatMakeup
Haha! xx
DeleteSo many gorgeous products here, and some great bits of info too!
ReplyDeleteHeather, porcelainbeautyx
Glad you liked :) xx
DeleteThe more I hear about NARS the more I am itching to buy a something from them! Love all the products you've mentioned here and t's a very subtle way to give yourself a bit of a glow with out you looking like a frying pan!
ReplyDeleteParie x
That's the aim! Haha xx
DeleteI recently bought the Nars Sheer Glow and absolutely love it. The finish is gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteSarah / Sarah Smiles
I agree! :) xx
DeleteLove the Make up Revolution baked powders, I got the lilac one and loved it! I still need to try out the Nars concealer though x
ReplyDeletewww.throughneweyesx.com
It really is worth a look :) xx
DeleteI love this post! I have combination/oily skin as well and it's sooo hard to look glowy and fresh without looking shiny too. I've always wanted to try the Nars Sheer Glow, but I also thought that it would be too dewy, but I have to pick this up now! :)
ReplyDeleteX Marjolein
http://misscocoblue.blogspot.com
I feel you on that! Nars Sheer Glow is definitely a velvet/satin finish, I think you'll love it! xx
DeleteSheer Glow has been my favourite for a long time but I switched to Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow - I just love it so much! But if there's one foundation I'll go back for it's the Sheer Glow. Love this post, my skin's combo and sometimes it's just so hard to look glowy when you're oily haha xx
ReplyDeletewww.angerawrs.co.uk
I agree haha xx
DeleteI have normal skin but I hate any sight of glitter on my face so I will try to take some of these tips and tricks into consideration!
ReplyDeleteMollie,xo /// The Fashion Of Craft
I hate bits of glitter on my face too haha xx
DeleteI totally get what you mean by the 'matte glow' :) I also look for only subtle highlighters and love all your picks! The blotting papers are godsent :) x
ReplyDeleteMummy’s Beauty Corner
I agree! And yes I much prefer a sheeny glow :) xx
DeleteI love this post - been wondering how to get my skin glowy! I just ordered the Nars Light Reflecting Powder hopefully that will work! xxx
ReplyDeleteOoh that sounds like something I'd love! xx
DeleteDim light looks amazing! Definitely want to give that a go!
ReplyDeleteCourtney | http://courtselizabeth.blogspot.com.au/
It's definitely a splurge but adds a lovely glow! xx
DeleteGreat review! I really want to try the Nars concealer, i've heard so manh good things about it. And the Hourglass Luminous Flush looks so pretty!
ReplyDeletehttp://allkhev.blogspot.com/
Both products really are fab! xx
DeleteI NEED the HourGlass Dim Light in my life, I keep seeing all these reviews. I've been skeptical about the Nars Sheer Glow, as I too have Oily/Combo Skin, so good to hear it isn't too dewy and more satin. Will look into it.
ReplyDelete-Rumbie Love - xo
Definitely try it :) xx
DeleteI am totally with you on escaping when I hear anything glow but I am pleased that there are ways to infuse a glow without feeling oily. Lovely post and I am loving the new website!!...xx
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely :D xx
DeleteI was also terrified by the word "glow" but I have found using matte foundations like Clarins Everlasting and more recently, LOreal Infallible Matte makes a great base for the rest of my face. A setting spray also goes a long way in keeping things oil free :) x
ReplyDeleteBrenda BusyBee
I agree - you can easily do a matte base then add in glow with highlighter :) xx
DeleteThis is a very smart post! A lot of people get scared of 'glowing' skin. It be done in so many differnt ways. Great suggestions. Also I agree Sheer Glow is Satin, not dewy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lipstickisalife.com/
Yeah you can definitely get a nice glow without dewiness :) xx
DeleteThe blushes look so pretty! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletexo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com
They really are! xx
DeleteI really want to try that primer! I also need to pick up the Makeup Revolution highlighter, it looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEmily // Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
xx
It really is lovely :) xx
DeleteOoh I so want to try the bodyshop instablur!
ReplyDeleteLove this post
Emma
X
Peacelovevintage.com
Definitely check it out - it's always in the 40% off deals ;) xx
DeleteThat Make Up Revolution baked bronzer looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeletelillies and lipbalm
xx
It really is stunning! xx
DeleteI love Nars Sheer Glow and is a staple in my makeup routine. I can't live without blotting paper either! sabiha x
ReplyDeletefranklyflawless.com
Blotting paper is such an important step for me now! xx
DeleteI love Nars foundation too, I think its hard to find a brand that can stand up to Nars xox
ReplyDeleteKirsty : Tartan Bones
I agree :) xx
DeleteI definitely need to try this The Body Shop primer, since the summer time isn't the best for combination skin.. My T-zone tents to eat my makeup so I could use sth to keep it on my face ;)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Arabesque
Yes it massively helps with that! I forgot primer one day last week and really appreciated the difference it makes! xx
DeleteI've been loving the matte glow recently as well, being oily means I've always gone for mattifying products but I've been loving adding a bit of glow back in recently, especially with blush/highlight and a bit of bronze and gold eyeshadow. A good primer is definitely essential.
ReplyDeleteEmma x
Writing Essays With Wine
Yes definitely :) I much prefer adding the glow in afterwards instead of having a dewy base xx
DeleteFantastic tips! I have super-duper oily skin, I'm definitely going to have to try InstaBlur, and the NARS Sheer Glow foundation sounds fab - I've always been put off by the name, too!
ReplyDeleteJess xo
http://just-jesss.blogspot.co.uk
Yeah it is definitely one of the most misleadingly-named beauty products going haha xx
DeleteI'm interested in Instablur. I cannot wait to go to UK and clean out all the products in The Body Shop.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog :)
Thank you so much! They have so many amazing products and make sure you take a discount code ;) xx
DeleteBoth of those Hourglass powders look gorgeous, and I need to get my hands on Instablur!
ReplyDeleteLillies and Lipbalm
xx