For a special event or occasion where you want to be extra-radiant, Miami dermatologist Heather Woolery-Lloyd, M.D., recommends removing anything she calls “background noise,” or “little things that aren’t too noticeable but when removed make skin look flawless.” For example, she likes to use Bioré Pore Strips to quickly clear away blackheads on her nose and chin.
Invest in a laser treatment.
If it’s in your budget, consider factoring a yearly laser treatment into your skin-care routine to refresh, brighten, and renew your skin in a way topical products just can’t. “I like quarterly resurfacing with the Clear & Brilliant laser[$300 to $1,000 per session],” says Robert Anolik, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. “If you’re over 30, try a yearly Fraxel Dual [$600 to $1,800], which is more powerful. Both fade sun-induced spots that make skin look dull.”
Swap out your old loofah.
Again, radiant skin goes beyond your face. In the shower, try massaging a salt scrub over your body, then rinsing it off with extra exfoliation from a Korean washcloth, which is much coarser than a regular one. “The combo sloughs off dead cells for the smoothest skin ever,” says celebrity makeup artist Mylah Morales.
Chill out.
Literally. Using cold water or freeze tool, or products is a quick and easy way to instantly de-puff your face, as well as increase blood flow. While you can spring for expensive rollers or a dedicated skin-care fridge, Cindy Crawford’s facialist Thuyen Nguyen swears by something a little thriftier: ice cubes. “Before and after a flight, I run ice cubes over my face until they melt,” she says. “My pores love this skin shocker.”
Layer textures.
To take your glow from Glossier to YouTuber, double up on highlighters. “Add an extra layer of glow by using a powder highlighter on top of a cream,” says makeup artist Erin Parsons, who often works with Gigi Hadid. Just look at how she makes highlighter catch the light, below.
Try microneedling.
It sounds scary, but an in-office microneedling treatment can do wonders for acne and dullness. If it’s super-glowy skin you’re after, dermatologist Annie Chiu, M.D., recommends a procedure like the Aquagold Fine Touch, which combines microneedling with a hyaluronic acid filler injection “to give you a dewy, hydrated appearance while stimulating new collagen production.” If an in-office treatment is cost-prohibitive (sessions can range from $300 to $600), you can also try at-home microneedling.
Take a long bath.
To get your body glistening, Glamour‘s senior beauty editor Lindsay Schallonswears by a fancy bath soak before you exfoliate. “One soak with Herbivore Detox and my skin is softer, more purified, and baby smooth,” she says. Follow it up with one of these amazing body scrubs.
Stipple (don’t swipe) on foundation.
For a really even glow, the way you apply your foundation is just as important as the foundation you use (check out our favorite lightweight foundations, here). According to Daniel Martin, celebrity makeup artist and the man behind Meghan Markle’s wedding makeup, the key is to buff, not swipe. “Lightly buff and swirl your makeup brush dipped in foundation over your skin to create a flawless, diffused finish,” he says. “Think of it like waxing your car—minus the pressure. When you use light, short circular motions to achieve coverage, it ends up looking seamless and not streaky at all.”
