The word “glowy” carries more than one definition. For some, it’s simply dewy skin. For others, it’s liquid makeup that looks luminous instead of greasy. Sometimes, it’s a mix of the two. However you choose to look at it, there’s no mistaking glowy skin when you see it… it just is. And while a healthy skin care routine and makeup appropriate for your specific needs and concerns definitely help the cause, there are some finds that have achieved best-seller status because they can brighten your complexion in mere minutes.
Whether they’re new kids on the block or old pros that have been on store shelves for years, these are the top-rated products that’ll deliver the ultimate glow-up if your vitamin C serum isn’t working as quickly as you’d like.
Originally posted on StyleCaster.
NYX Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator
Available in four shades — from pale pink to bronze — this liquid formula can be used as a base under your foundation or mixed in with your coverage to create a more radiant complexion. Apply all over or to wherever light directly hits the face (cheekbones, bridge of nose, brow bone).
Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator, $5.25 – $7.50 at NYX
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
We're never tired of raving about this complexion booster, which can be used to up the brightness of bare skin or on top of foundation to create a dewy glow in seconds.
Hollywood Flawless Filter, $44 at Charlotte Tilbury
Becca Skin Love Glow Elixir
Since launching its first skin care range earlier this year, this serum has become a quick standout for its ability to hydrate and brighten the skin without a greasy buildup. It's made with a custom blend of natural ingredients that includes honey, fruit extracts and squalane.
Becca Skin Love Glow Elixir, $48 at Sephora
Glossier Haloscope
Dubbed the first-ever "dew effect highlighter," this stick formula comes in three different shades and is made with crystal extracts to literally light up your face.
Haloscope, $22 at Glossier
Milk Makeup Face Gloss
Meant for use on the eyes, lips and cheeks, this transparent vegan gloss is a quick and easy way to give your bare skin a natural shine or a glossy finish when used on top of makeup.
Face Gloss, $20 at Milk Makeup
L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer
A lightweight luminizing lotion available in four different hues (fair, light, medium and deep) to hydrate and give your skin an effortless-looking glow-up. Wear alone or under foundation.
L'Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer, $14.99 at Ulta
Ciate London Dewy Stix
This non-shimmery gel-like formula dries down to a texture that isn't too sticky or too dry, leaving you with a highlight that doesn't look like an awkward stripe across the cheekbones. It's also available in gold and rose-gold shades.
Dewy Stix, $26 at Ciate London
Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray
A multitasking cult-favorite face mist that can be used to set makeup, cool off your skin or simply boost your energy in the midst of a crazy day. It's made with glycerin, a humectant that draws moisture to the skin so you can feel dewy too.
Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray, $44 at Farmacy
Farsali Rose Gold Elixir
Infused with 24-karat gold, rose hip seed oil and pure botanicals, this luxe formula not only slows down collagen depletion, it also gives your skin a supple glow.
Rose Gold Elixir, $22 – $54 at Farsali
Wander Beauty Glow Getter Mist
This lightweight mist is infused with Icelandic glacier water to take your makeup from matte to dewy in a matter of seconds.
Glow Getter Mist, $28 at Wander Beauty
Kora Organics Rose Quartz Luminizer
Though it may seem like finely crushed rose quartz wouldn't exactly give you a smooth, luminous finish, the addition of nourishing noni fruit extract, coconut and rose hip oils ensure your skin is getting that nourishing luminous glow.
Rose Quartz Luminizer, $28 at Kora Organics
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
This clean beauty brand's top-selling product is a sheer illuminator with a translucent finish that can be used to create a glowy finish on all skin tones.
Living Luminizer, $38 at RMS Beauty
Honest Beauty Magic Balm
This skin multitasker is the key to a radiant glow when you're going makeup-free but still want the lustrous effects of a highlighter palette.
Magic Balm, $12.99 at Honest Beauty
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating
This product has long carried a cult-favorite status, but its newer illuminating version is slowly climbing the ranks as a skin-makeup hybrid that personifies glowy skin goals.
Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating, $45 at Laura Mercier
Weleda Skin Food
In addition to providing intense relief to dry skin patches, its all-natural formula is also a low-key amazing way to deliver just the right amount of shine to naked skin.
Skin Food, $12.50 – $19 at Weleda
It Cosmetics Your Skin but Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+
Hydration? Check. Coverage? Check. Sun protection? Check. What isn't there to love about this all-in-one product, which also delivers a dewy finish (especially when paired with a mix-in illuminator).
Your Skin but Better CC+ cream with SPF 50+, $38 at It Cosmetics
Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
No one does mix-in formulas quite like this brand, which offers a line of varying finishes — from holographic to shimmering bronze — depending on your mood.
Custom Enhancer Drops, $42 at Cover FX
Nars Liquid Blush in Orgasm
Blush can be tricky for many, but when you've got a dewy liquid formula that can be blended in like your foundation, the process gets a lot easier.
Liquid Blush in Orgasm, $30 at Nars
Leave a Comment