Model and object of one of my girl crushes based solely on totally superficial things (lol) Liya Kebede seems to always have this aura around her face, doesn’t she? OK, photoshopping aside there is definitely something about Liya—a soft glow is what I call it. It’s that, I’m wearing *some makeup*, but my beautiful skin speaks for me kind of thing.
Should you be so inclined, I’ve got some tips on how to get Liya’s beautiful look.
First things first, our skin needs to be in order. If you’ve already got decent skin, you’re halfway there! If not, it’s time to get thee on a skin care regimen based on your skin type. And this should go without saying, but tame those brows (still working on that brow post for you…lol) and rid the face of extra facial hair. You want skin to be as smooth as possible if you’re going for a look like this.
Most of us know cleanse, tone, moisturize, right? The products you used should be based on your skin type (normal, oily, dry, or combination and then add in aging to each type if applicable), but you should also pay attention to how your skin behaves each season. For example, I need a heavier moisturizer in the winter as the harsh NYC temps cause my skin to get sooo dry. Then in the summer that playa-hatin’ NYC humidity causes my skin to appear more oily. Then I can occasionally be attacked with adult acne which leads to dark spots. Oh, then there’s dullness, too. To make a long story short, what I use on my skin changes just as my skin does.
I’d be here all day talking about skin if I were to pinpoint every product you should use for your skin type (and something tells me you don’t like long-winded posts) so I’ve broken down some quick recommendations:
Oily Skin: LUSH Coalface Cleanser, Cosmedicine Medi Matte Oil Control Lotion, Proactiv Toner
Acne Prone Skin: Proactiv 3-Step System, Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion (and Spot Treatment)
Normal to Dry Skin: Perricone MD Gentle Cleanser, Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer, Cetaphil Cleanser
Dull Skin: Clinique Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, LUSH Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser, Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser
Night Treatments: Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE Cream, Clinique Antioxidant Super Rescue Night Treatment
Universal Skin Tips: drink plenty of water, make sure you get your vitamins, consider a flax seed oil supplement, see a dermatologist on a regular basis, wear SPF everyday (Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock is a good one for skin of color because it’s not greasy and doesn’t leave an ashy cast on our skin).
To get some extra help in the glow department, apply a bit of a sheer foundation like NARS Sheer Glow and set it with a loose powder like BECCA Fine Loose Finishing Powder. If your skin looks great on its own, a simple light dusting of powder will do.
Go easy on the eyes, simple liner with mascara will do. If you want to up the ante, smudge your liner slightly with a smudging brush or makeup wedge.
For glowy cheeks, follow a trick loved many times over by celebrity makeup artist extraordinaire, Sam Fine: apply bronzer to the cheeks followed by a dusting of a peach blush on top. Sam loves the CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer (which I’ve been trying to track down in my neck of the woods—how do I live in a predominately black neighborhood with no Queen Collection products at my closest drugstore? grrr). You can also get this look with the Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Afterglow which combines both bronzer and blush in one product) available at many drugstores. Totally gorgeous.
For the lips, go with a sheer stain of color like what you would get using MAC Lustreglass. Or grab some clear gloss and one of your lipsticks and make your own.
To finish, gently blot the skin with a tissue to remove excess product. Then set with a makeup setting spray (I lurve Urban Decay De Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray).
Don’t forget to blow kisses at yourself when you’re done!
Tools of the Trade:
Will you be trying this look out? Have questions? Hit the comments section :)
~Danielle
P.S. And if you spotted this beautimous pic of Letoya Luckett over at TheYBF.com, you can follow these steps to get her look, too
The Nars Illuminator in Orgasm works for me, either under foundation or on its own! ♥
New Makeup, New Attitude, Truo’fles Cosmetics!
Time to Glam it Up!
I’ve got a question Danielle. *raises hand* LOL. What does an illuminator do for your skin? And what kinds would you recommend??
Hey Joanne!
I mean Joanne_ lol
Illuminators or luminizers contain light reflecting particles in them that help give the skin a luminous glow. Illuminators/luminizers can come in different formulas (powder, creme, liquid, gel) and colors (usually in warm/gold and cool/silver tones). Since they do tend to “spotlight” areas of the skin, I don’t recommend them (or use them sparingly) for those with large pores, acne, or other skin blemishes or discoloration. They can also be a nightmare for some people with very oily skin (Jermaine Jackson-city).
You can mix a tiny bit of illuminator/luminizer with your foundation or moisturizer for a nice all-over glow or just apply some on the bridge of the nose, the bow of the lip, the brow bone area, the cheekbones to highlight areas of the face.
Hope this helps–let me know if you have more questions :)
oops—totally forgot to add which ones I recommend!
I love (in no particular order):
Bare Escentuals All Over Face Color
NARS The Multiple
Benefit Highbeam or Moonbeam
Covergirl Cheekers Bronzer (looks like luminizer on darker skin tones)
Smashbox Artificial Light Luminizing Lotion
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish (most of the highlighter ones usually come out in Limited Edition collections throughout the year)
MAC Iridescent Powder (Pressed or Loose)
She looks gorgeous, skin is flawless!
Thank you Danielle!! :). Out to the store now, I’ll let u know how it goes!
I have another question…..would the lustre drops from the new MAC collection have the same effect as an illuminator??
@Jac Now you have me wanting to pick up NARS Orgasm Illuminator, too…lol. I talked myself out of it because I already have the blush and the Super Orgasm blush, too…lol.
@Joanne Yes—those can be used as illuminators as well, too. A little goes a long way. You can also use it on your body when mixed with moisturizer. Have fun ;)
Sometimes I feel like the comment section of the beauty post is just as important as the article you post. Danielle thanks for going the extra mile in responding to the comment section.
It’s appreciated! :)
Hey Bonifant!
My heart is all warm and what not now…lol. Thanks for your comment–I love answering the questions and when time permits I dig in…lol.