The best products to get that summer glow

These days there are a thousand products on the market to help you get to your glowy goals, from skincare to foundation. Today, I want to tell you about some of my favourites, the first of which feels almost silly to mention because it’s so incredibly popular.

I’m talking about Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter (€44 via brownthomas.com).

When it first launched, it was so totally new that many consumers were confused about how to use it. Fortunately, we live in the digital age and with every second girly on TikTok and YouTube demonstrating its usage and benefits, many of us have now jumped onboard. Most people use it underneath their foundation, although some like to apply it on top. Personally, I use it under foundation in the areas I want to glow. For me that’s my cheekbones, mid-forehead, bridge of the nose and a little on the chin. The result is a luminosity that looks natural and healthy.

I’ve mentioned Supergoop’s Glow Screen (from €16.90 via cultbeauty.com) a few times here of late, but I can’t leave it out this week as it is a dream product delivering both radiance and sun protection. On its own it evens out the skin tone and makes it look luminous without looking strangely metallic — under makeup it delivers a natural glow. All with an SPF of 30. I love a product that does a double job.

Two other under makeup faves of mine are Glow Recipe’s Niacinamide Dew Drops (€35 via cultbeauty.com) and Glossier’s Futuredew (€26 via glossier.com). Both products are serum hybrids which, when used as the last part of your skincare routine, leave you looking dewy and glowy.

Both can also be used over makeup to add a beautiful sheen, if you’d prefer, although personally I like them under makeup or on their own. In terms of packaging, both of these come in beautiful pink bottles which look gorgeous on your dressing table, and with regard to ingredients, I think you’re getting more skincare benefits from the niacinamide in the Dew Drops than the oils in Futuredew. The visual effect is very similar though.

Over makeup, there are countless highlighters available to deliver varying degrees of ‘glow’, but if you’re looking for a natural-looking gleam, without any shimmer, I’ve got the products for you. Danessa Myricks’ entire range is innovative and high-performing, and Dew Wet Balm (€26.75 via beautybay.com) is no exception. This clear balm is totally invisible in the pan, such is its translucence, but when applied it leaves the skin looking supple and glossy.

Glossier’s Haloscope (€21 via glossier.com) is also great for a dewy look, but has a little bit of a pearlescent effect if you like that sort of thing. It also comes in a range of shades, so you can choose the one you feel looks best on you. I like Quartz, which has a slightly pink hue.

Something old...

Tarte’s Shape Tape (€29 via tartecosmetics.com) has made Tarte America’s number one concealer brand, and the people who love it, adore it. This full coverage concealer is matte but doesn’t leave the skin feeling cakey or dry. Its ingredients include mango seed and shea butter which hydrate without compromising on coverage. It blends easily, and wears well, promising transfer-proof and waterproof coverage up to 16 hours. If you have dark circles, redness or blemishes to cover up, this is going to do it. If it sounds like a dream, the bad news is that in Ireland it’s only available via the Tarte website and is subject to customs charges. The good news is that if you buy in bulk and spend more than €60, shipping will be free.

... Something new

Huda Beauty is a brand well known for its full coverage formulas, so it’s no surprise that the new FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer (€29 via boots.ie), which was three years in the making, delivers on that front. Having said that, it’s not immediately opaque, instead it builds well via thin layers allowing you to choose what effect you want to achieve. Enriched with Vitamin E and Sweet Almond Oil, this concealer promises to hydrate while delivering a lasting, sweat-proof, waterproof finish. It sits beautifully on top of skincare and under other products. Available in 29 shades.

Buying Irish

Soak Bath Salts founded by Karen Kearney, is a ‘functional beauty’ business with an emphasis on natural ingredients, sustainability and mental health. The brands’ bath salts and scrubs are made from 100pc Atlantic sea salt as well as ingredients like Irish seaweed, almond oil and lavender, sage and mint grown in Kearney’s own garden. The products are packaged in heatproof, glass containers which can be reused, and €1 from each set of bath salts sold (€21 via soakbathsalts.com) goes to a mental health charity. This year it’s Donegal’s Liquid Therapy, which works with young people to help them experience the benefits of surfing.