My, What Dewy Skin You Have

For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, this time of year means a few things; cold weather, exams, end of the financial year (although this could be the case the world over, my inability to grasp anything of this nature means I’m not entirely sure) comfort eating to combat aforementioned cold weather … of course, in a beauty column dedicated to achieving having the title exclaimed by someone upon seeing your complexion, I can only be going one place here. Comfort eating + stress + cold weather (staying indoors, not much sunlight, less active) = skin that is the opposite of radiant, I daresay pallid.

When it comes to getting dewy skin you’ve got three options; a primer, a make up staple or a skin care range specifically targeting bright skin. Obviously the former two are instant fixes and the latter is something you need to work with (however as we all know with skin care, hard work pays off) but if fresh, dewy, Scar-Jo skin is what you’re after, then you need to have all areas covered.

For those of you wanting to really do your homework, it’s worth your while to take a look at when we covered masques – a brightening masque is a surefire ticket to glowing skin, in the 10 minutes it takes to try on your face -check out the Product Review we did of Gorgeous Cosmetics Prism Highlighter, and revisit Beauty in a Flash - The Quick Fix, a bumper column that will open your eyes to a whole new, affordable world of products you should befriend.

So without further ado, here is a fresh gaggle of products to keep an eye on, tried and tested by an exam-stressed Southern Hemispherer who is violently resenting her winter pallour and currently subsisting on a diet of Woolworths Select Choc Chip Cookies.

Primer

Designed to tighten, brighten and smooth the skin’s surface to prepare it for the onslaught of make up, the result of a good primer can easily replace the need for a base.

I was introduced to the wonders of a primer via Clarin’s Beauty Flash Balm, which has seen me through some of my skin’s most haggard moments, and I believe paved the way for a generation of primers in the beauty world.

Here are a couple of keep an eye out for – use under your base, or by themselves for a fresh, natural look.

Model Co Face Base Skin Primer

RRP: $34

Napoleon Perdis Autopilot Retouch Skin Smoothing Cream

RRP: $65

Healthy Skin

Trilogy Energising Lotion

Aiding your skin in moisture production and retention is one of the best ways you can maintain a smooth, vital complexion, particularly in cold weather. Coming from the house of Trilogy is this lotion, full of signature ingredient rosehip and assisted in this case by a competent, natural team of avocado, evening primrose and calendula oils, Vitamins A and E, gingko and green tea. Designed to help skin repair and rehydrate by boosting water and oil levels simultaneously, this magic moisturizer also fights free radical damage and signs of premature ageing. For skin that needs a little kick in the ass, this is the potion to do it.

RRP: $42.95

Palmers Eventone Range

The Eventone range, part of their Skin Success line, works on the premise of brightening discoloured, uneven, damaged or just tired skin. The range includes a creamy, pearlescent and easily absorbed moistursier, a clay based mask harnessing the goodness of Vitamins C & E and licorice extract and an eye cream that works to improve dark circles, as it brightens and firms the under-eye area.

Eventone Daily Skin Brightener Eventone Brightening Mask Eventone for Dark Circles Under Eyes

I will just pop a sensitive skin disclaimer down here – for you guys (and I am one of you, for the most part) it’s best to use products that are as gentle as possible. Products that brighten and tighten may disagree with your delicate dispositions, so, if you can, try before you buy and just exercise caution in general.

Make Up

Of course, there are times when a) we don’t have time to nurture our tired faces through an exfoliate/steam/mask/cleanse/get a good night’s sleep routine, and we need a little more help than the humble primer can provide, and that’s where the slap steps in.

An illuminator, in this case, is your friend. A magic powder or fluid that invites light to bounce off your skin, giving the illusion of a Jennifer Lopez-esque glow, circa ‘I’m Real.’ Pinks, peaches and bronzes are the tones to look out for, and dust onto/blend into the cheekbones and brown bones (the highest points of your face and therefore the ones most likely to hit the light first).