JUST IN: Glowy Foundation Routine for Winter

Winter months are different in Texas as some of you may know. While it may not get super cold here until well into December-January, I’ve found that with the climate and temperature changes, my skin is having some up’s and down’s. Even though today’s high (even in December) was 70 degrees Fahrenheit, I’ve resorted to more moisturizing products since my skin has been needing it lately. Since my signature base/skin makeup is a dewy, glowy finish, dry skin or flaky skin is definitely not good for me. I’ve noticed that with my skin being drier, I’ve had to resort to creative ways to maintain the dew.

Today’s post is about my glowy foundation routine for winter…Texas-style. :)

Innisfree The Green Tea Serum
In the mornings, I’ve been using a moisturizing serum for hydration to plump my skin and prevent it from feeling dry or uncomfortable. I skip the cream or moisturizer intentionally and move straight onto a suncream/sunblock before applying my base makeup. This particular serum is “a moisturizing and nourishing serum with organic green tea seeds from Jeju to fill the skin with suppleness and clarity.” It’s super lightweight and the water-gel texture feels like nothing on the skin when applied. It doesn’t make my skin oily or slippery; and, as part of my morning routine, this helps keep my skin hydrated and happy underneath makeup.

Innisfree The Green Tea Seed Oil
Lately, the trend in Korea is to add a drop of face oil to foundation/BB/CC creams for an added dewy effect. This “anti-oxidant moisturizing oil, [is] formulated with eco-friendly Jeju green tea seeds[that] replenishes moisture and nutrients from deep within your skin.” While it feels rich on your skin at first, it absorbs nicely, which gives a moisturized feeling. On top of that, it seals in all your previous skincare so it helps your makeup glide on easily and effortlessly. I don’t mind mixing a drop of this with my foundation, and it doesn’t make my skin overly oily or anything like that. When applied alone, this can be an extra-hydrating moisturizer replacement.

Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
My go-to foundation lately for glowy makeup is the Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation and the shade 115 Ivory is a perfect match for me. I’ve also noticed that this particular foundation is great as a mixing agent. I’ve mixed this foundation with other formulations, and it’s never interfered with application or color. I like to add my face oil to this and it applies sheer, but naturally. In addition, it adjusts the coverage level which I like since I prefer sheer to light coverage. This foundation “creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight.”

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder
Normally, I don’t like to powder over my foundation or base makeup because it affects the dewiness. However, lately I’ve been into it since using the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. As “weightless, translucent powder for all skintones that creates a soft matte finish that looks luminous in any light,” it’s truly invisible and doesn’t negatively impact the color, tone, or texture of your already applied makeup. It’s so natural that I feel like you don’t even really notice a difference until you see your skin in natural light. Pores and lines or minimized and your makeup is set perfectly — and, surprisingly, oil is controlled substantially well.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in “Ethereal Glow”
The final touch to glowy winter makeup is really the blush. While the complexion is important, nothing is more prettier than naturally flushed pink cheeks. A lot of blushes can do this, but one that is equal parts pretty and glowy without the glitter and shimmer. I like “Ethereal Glow” so much for this; and, it’s seriously the final touch that I look for when I’m completing my routine.

What are some of your dewy makeup tricks for the winter time?

NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

I wanted to take a moment to rave about my new powder purchase: the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. Previously, I wrote about the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in “Diffused Light.” The NARS powder has similar effects and performs similarly in terms of erasing imperfections and giving the skin a poreless look, BUT the final effect on the skin is entirely different.

Remember how when I say a product is “a necessity in life” I really mean it? Well, this is one of them. :)

This product comes in one shade: translucent crystal, which looks white and glimmery in the pan; yet, when swatched, it’s barely anything at all. The glimmer melts into your skin — providing a poreless, wrinkle-less, and pigment-less finish. This is a “weightless, translucent powder for all skintones that creates a soft matte finish that looks luminous in any light.”

My skin absolutely feels velvety soft after I use this, and it doesn’t hurt that it gives the slightest luminescent glow to the skin. As for oil control, I can’t really say since I’m always going to be oily by the end of the day no matter what product I use. However, it looks that despite oil production, my makeup is intact. The texture of the powder is so light, it’s hard to tell you’ve got any product on the brush; it feels like nothing and it looks like nothing. Nonetheless, I swirl my brush around and apply my invisble powder to my ski — and, it’s like magic. No joke.

This setting powder “enhances the look of foundation without a trace of color, extending makeup wear thanks to the NARS exclusive Light Reflecting Complex™, which optimizes light-reflection on the skin. Its silky powder is infused with Photochromic Technology, which diffuses light and adjusts to new sources of light throughout the day.” Unlike the Hourglass Ambient Powder, this one universal shade is undetectable so it doesn’t alter anything you’ve already applied onto the skin. The “weightless formula applies evenly and blends effortlessly,” and “fine lines, wrinkles, and pores optically fade as skin is visibly smoothed.”

Additionally, “revolutionary microfine mineral powders are loaded with glycerin and antioxidant vitamin E to help guard against dryness and keep skin comfortable all day. Ideal for touch-ups, it helps regulate shine throughout the day and seamlessly sets foundation.” Also, bonus points for a nice, well-made pouch that doesn’t attract dust — another element that the Hourglass Ambient Powder did not have. :)

This powder isn’t drying, yet it keeps the skin smooth and poreless — everything is blurred — imperfections, lines, bumps, pores, oil, etc. Makeup really does last all day and I love how smooth it makes my skin feel and look. Although there aren’t any high claims about creating the perfect lighting, it’s a great setting powder to use to give your skin some extra oomph. Normally, as a person who doesn’t really like setting powders, I’d say give this a go and I recommend it to everyone, no matter what skin tone you are.

Retails for $34.00 USD.
Made in Italy.