5 Ways To Look Awake and Glowy
Because Zoom filters aren't transportable yet.
In high school, my skin goals were to look as tan and matte as possible.
I spent hours in a tanning bed, prepping for prom, and have the sunspots to prove it. Anything for that mid-drift heart sticker imprint amiright?
Products that promised a matte finish were front and center in my makeup bag. That powdery finish was my North Star. Anyone else carry a dingy pack of Clean & Clear sheets in their purse like I did? (Honestly, the T-zone has made as big a comeback as the QR code, now that I think about it.)
Anyway, my matte days are behind me and I now drench my skin in oil 2X daily (I’ve talked about it here—this one is my favorite).
And, as a breastfeeding mom of three, looking awake and glowy does not come naturally. Be it the hormone shift, the lack of sleep, the forgetting to drink anything but coffee—sallow and haggard is more like it.
But! I’ve truly found how to fake it and it takes less than 10 minutes of hands-on time total.
Highlighter sticks are candlelit glow, packaged. As one who is easily swayed, I’ve tried at least a dozen different ones and I have one very particular favorite.
Here’s the key: dab upward and blend onto your cheekbones all the way to your hairline, swipe some just below your brow arch, and dot a tiny bit at the very top of your upper lip (where that indent is). Let me tell you: you can fake a skincare routine and 100 oz of water a day with a swipe of highlighter.
2.) Curled eyelashes
I have very short, straight, dark, and sparse lashes, so even all the mascara in the world doesn’t open up my eyes. My eyelashes basically point downward.
The eyelash curler is a game changer and if you have negative eyelashes like me, something about having them sit against your eyelids just makes your eyes look more open and thus, awake.
Here’s the thing: you have to heat your curler and you have to curl your lashes with mascara ON. I know this is breaking all the rules set by beauty editors, but it’s the ONLY way the curl stays for my weak lashes. First, I apply two coats of this mascara. It’s a tubing mascara and the only one that does not flake.
Then I blast my blow dryer at my eyelash curler until it’s hot, but not burning. Very carefully, place the very warm curler as close to your eyelid as possible, squeeze and hold for 5-10 seconds.
3.) Hyaluronic acid + Aquaphor
Slugging is very three years ago, but I haven’t yet watched The Bear or moved my maternity clothes from a year ago out of my closet, so it’s actually very of-the-moment for me, ha.
The principle of slugging is that a non-occlusive barrier (like Aquaphor) seals in your other skincare to work while you sleep to give you extra-hydrated, bouncy skin. I like the sounds of that!
1-2X a week, I wash my face (using this balm lately. TBH I don’t like it as much as this from Jenni Kayne’s brand, which feels total quiet luxury, but it’s much more cost effective!). I do not fully dry it and apply a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid. I add my face cream (can’t get away from Cereve) and then rub a pea-sized amount of Aquaphor between your palms, like a villain. Pat onto your skin and be amazed when you wake up!
Hot tip: you can do the same on your lips! For more on slugging, read this, and remember—this is NOT the time for actives or retinol.
4.) High intensity sprints
Sprints are something I just started doing because I’ve heard so much about how we lose muscle at an alarming rate starting at 30. I use my driveway and run, but you could use a spin bike or treadmill too.
I do 4-5 all-out sprints for 30 seconds each. I rest for 1-2 minutes between. It really gets my blood pumping, adds some color into my cheeks, and takes around 6 minutes.
5.) Non-foundation foundation
After my matte-loving days, it took me a really long time to find foundation-like makeup that I loved. I was a Prescriptives die-hard for a long time, but they went out of biz.
The past three years, I’ve found three different formulas that don’t have the mask look of traditional makeup, but give me coverage, glow, and are foolproof. There’s nothing that makes me feel a little more presentable and awake than having a smoother, more even face.
I know there are Charlotte Tilbury stans, but I never felt compelled to purchase. However, last year, I decided to try this on a whim and like my twin sister said, “It just covers so well!” I use this when I want more coverage and bonus—it’s infused with skincare. The finish is slightly less glowy, so I mix with my favorite oil. I wear shade 5 Neutral. Coverage: medium
Lastly, I finally tried Ilia’s bestseller this year after pinging my friend Erica about her glow every time I saw her on a work Zoom. It’s the real deal, friends. I use it interchangeably with Jones Road and LOVE that it has SPF. (Sometimes I put a little Jones Road on top for a glow boost and gorgeous scent!) It blends easily and is easy to match.
Coverage: light. Note: Ilia is having 20% off sitewide through tomorrow (Friday, June 13)! Get on it!
Go on and glow, my friends and when people say, “You look so refreshed!” just smile and wink.
Thanks for all the skincare tips over the years—and for shouting out friend of a friend!