How to: Get ‘Glewy’ (that’s Glossy + Dewy) Skin

Fri, 20 July 2012 11:35AM

The other day, Emily wrote about her beauty HG: fluminous skin. As in, skin that’s both flawless and luminous, a feat that can be achieved by careful layering of products that feature clever play-with-the-light pigment trickery.

It got me thinking. While I love the look of such a pretty, powdered, porcelain-like complexion, I prefer another skin-finish style altogether. It’s like satin or silk, instead of velvet. The difference is the shine factor. While I don’t want to let the naturally oily tendencies in my skin run riot, I prefer to work with them as much as possible. So the look I try to go for is glowy moreso than, say, glimmery. Dewy rather delicate. Yes, that’s what I want: glowy and dewy.

In other words, as Emily might say, ‘glewy’.

It’s a look that few celebrities actually do because in photos it can make you look simply shiny. But in real life, it looks healthy and luscious. Case in point: Camilla Belle.

With that inspiration in mind, I’ve put together a 10-step plan to getting glewy skin … Let’s glo …

Step 1: Cleanse Well. This luxe look requires skin to have a super-smooth surface. If you have any congestion, mix some exfoliating granules into your cleanser for a mini-microderm session.

Step 2: Supple Up. Glewiness also requires skin to be well lubricated. If your skin isn’t naturally rich in oils, massage in a face treatment oil before moisturising – rosehip would be perfect here. Or else try Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Omega 3.6.9 Replenishing Oil, $60, from David Jones. This will give skin back lipids, in effect plumping it out. If your issue is dehydration rather than dryness, have a hyaluronic acid-based serum on hand, which is the perfect skin-plumper for a dehydrated dermis. Try Dermaviduals Hyaluronic Acid Concentrate, $105, 1300 420 223.

Step 3: Inner Skincare. Don’t forget that it’s easy to plump skin up from the inside. Make sure you’re getting enough good fats, like oily fish and avocado, as well as eating lots of water-dense foods, such as soup and salad.

Step 4: Lines? Of course, youth – and its naturally high level of skin sebum, not to mention a bouncy collagen-and-elastin support system – also helps you achieve this satiny, supple look (Camilla’s 25, after all) … If lines are starting to crease your forehead, you could consider Botox, a proven way to smooth skin out instantly.

Step 5: Prime. After moisturising, apply a primer for extra smoothness. The most effective skin-smoothing primers contain silicone, which is what gives the primer its lush velvety texture. Try Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, $42, from department stores. If your primer doesn’t also contain light-reflecting agents, you could mix it with some highlighting cream before applying.

Step 6: Add Base. Go for a foundation that is medium-coverage in its pigment density, and moisturising in its formulation – if your skin is extra-dry, try adding a couple drops of jojoba oil to make it even richer. Apply base first with your fingers – the warmth melts it into skin – and then by blending out any edges or lines with a synthetic-bristled foundation brush.

Step 7: Set. Lightly powder the t-zone only, then use your fingers to press powder into skin. The idea is to see no powder at all. As for the cheeks, you want to keep them as shiny as possible. Use a creamy blush if you need colour, and dab some clear gloss along the upper cheekbones (makeup artists often use Elizabeth Arden Eight Cream Skin Protectant, $38, from department stores, here).

Step 8: Add Details. Because your skin is meant to be the glossy focal point, you want eyes and lips to be a different texture. However, don’t go totally opposite and do matte – this will just dull your look right down. Instead, try lipstick and eyeshadow in metallic or cream finishes – there’ll be enough shimmer or shine to play up to the overall effect, but not so much that it will take attention from the skin.

Step 9: Mist. A quick and easy way to reboot your ‘glew’ during the day or night: have a facial mist in your bag and spray on as needed. Try Avène Thermal Spring Water, form $9.95, from pharmacies.

Step 10: Cleanse Again. As you can see, glewy skin takes a lot of effort, and many layers. Make sure you cleanse it all off completely at the end of the day – you may even need to cleanse twice to do so – or else you’ll likely start to suffer from congestion, making this smooth and supple look even harder to achieve the next time.

 

So, what think, Primpettes? Are your good to glew?

Or are you on Team Fluminous?

Posted by: Katrina Lawrence

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Tags: avene, camilla belle, clarins, dermaviduals, dewy, elizabeth arden, essential fatty acids, facial oil, glowy, oily skin, omega, philosophy, photos, primer, rosehip oil, simpleskincare