How to Achieve Your Ultimate Spring Glow

Okay so we're in spring, but it's still kinda cold and dry outside (in California). If you're like me and your skin is still transitioning from dry to normal, then you're sure to love this article because I'm going to explain how YOU have the power to create that gorgeous spring glow you've been searching for! Say goodbye to the dryness & dullness from the cold winter months, and say hello to some much-needed, spring shimmer!

These products/tips that I've been enjoying that have not only helped control my combination oily-dry skin, but have also provided so much hydration that honestly makes me excited to do my makeup & skincare routines. With them, my skin has completely cleared up and feels/looks so healthy. Seriously, when you look forward to doing your skincare routine even when you're tired and it's 1am, you know you're doing something right.

I purchased each face product mentioned below. While I can't guarantee that they'll work for you in the same way, I encourage you to try them and am just sharing how they have helped me :) Also, a lot of the products are pretty affordable and do the job just as well, if not better, than most expensive brands, so if you're looking for cheaper options then keep reading & save money!

1. Drink lots of water

Those of you that personally know me may be surprised that I'm saying this! This is by far the hardest thing for me to do/remember to do. But that doesn't mean that I don't think that I should be doing this more often. It makes everything in your body function properly and definitely helps your skin to maintain clarity and hydration. I've been better about it, but still have a ways to go. It's the foundation of not only achieving this look, but feeling it. We want to feel luminous on the inside and outside.

2. Use a face scrub at night and a cleanser in the morning.

Although soft cleansers may feel nice at nighttime, the reality of it is that you probably have a large buildup of dirt and oil from the day. This means that you'll see better results using a scrub at nighttime. The scrub doesn't have to be harsh, just something a little more gritty to get deep into your pores. The one I've been obsessed with is Dark Angels from LUSH. This scrub is only $15 and lasts for a long time.

My morning go-to is the Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser because it leaves my skin soft and glowing, it smells incredible, and one of the ingredients, Glycolic Acid, helps to prevent breakouts. Plus, the Aloe Vera in this acts to calm any redness I may wake up with. You can use this product as either a cleanser or mask! Yes please!

*Tip: Try using the Pixi cleanser in the shower and leaving it on the entire time as a mask-- it'll leave your skin so soft and feeling fresh! Make sure to wash it off before you get out :)

*Tip: Remember to always splash your face first with warm water to open up the pores, and then wash with cold water afterwards to close them back up before moisturizers/makeup.

3. After cleansing your face twice a day, use a toner.

My two favorites are Thayer's Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner- Rose Petal, and the Breath of Fresh Air by LUSH. You can apply this by using a cotton pad (or spray it directly onto your face) after your scrub/cleanser and before your moisturizer. This refreshing step will help to remove any excess dirt that you missed, calm & close pores, and can even help to prevent redness and pimples. Once you start using a toner you'll never want to go back!

4. Moisturize and prime your face before makeup, plus a spritz of rosewater if you need extra hydration!

Okay, there are so many primers out there for different things-- filling pores, blurring, mattifying oily parts of your skin, and adding glow. Any of them can change how your makeup (foundation and concealer) sit/look on the skin, and sometimes you may use more than one for different areas of your face. Let your moisturizer act as the base to help dryness underneath it all, and then allow the primer to be the second layer for your canvas so that your makeup looks airbrushed.

In the AM, I've been reaching for my La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer SPF 30. It has great ingredients, there's no fragrance, it doesn't clog pores, and has an SPF of 30. Can you say dreamy?! Next, I spritz on some Mario Badescu Rose Water Facial Spray to give my skin a bit more hydration. The two primers I've been loving to put on top of that are Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer by NYX to create a blurring/mattifying effect on the skin (I put this in my T-Zone) and Milani Soft Focus Glow Complexion Enhancer for illumination everywhere else! These primers are super light-weight, more affordable than prestige brands, and just make the skin so plump and beautiful.

5. Reader, meet glow transparent powder. Glow transparent powder, meet reader.

My life has been changed. Ok, no. My makeup life has been changed. Ever since discovering Milani's Prep + Set + Glow Illuminating Transparent Face Powder, I've been able to make every matte foundation look dewy and more natural! It's very light on the skin and gives such a gorgeous, candlelit glow. After you've applied your foundation or BB/CC Cream, just take a powder brush, dip it in the pan, and dust it all over the face to quickly transform any look!

6. Pop on that lip gloss AFTER lip balm.

I don't know about you, but during winter my lips are soooo dry. Help revitalize them for spring by always applying lip balm before you put on lip gloss and lipstick. Most lipsticks and glosses are so pretty but tend to dry out the lips with continued wear during the day; this doesn't happen as badly with the balm barrier. Right now my fave lip balm is the LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask that can be worn during the day or throughout the night while you're catching your Z's. Although it's annoying that it's in a jar, this baby works wonders.

7. Use an eye cream in the morning & at night.

Whichever eye creams you choose, just make sure of two things: 1. They don't irritate the under-eye area and 2. They perform how they say they will. I've realized over time, and after many disappointing purchases that people really know how to market eye creams--especially prestige brands. Don't fall into the trap of buying an eye cream just because it's from an expensive brand. I've personally found that in this case, as in most, price does not necessarily equal quality. Once you know what you're looking for in an eye cream (whether it's lightening dark circles, brightening, smoothing fine-lines, or hydrating) make sure that the eye cream is helping with that...otherwise, ditch it! Our under-eye areas have some of the most delicate skin, so we really want to make sure what we're using is beneficial.

*Tip: A hydrating and brightening eye-cream is best for the mornings/daytime and to be worn underneath concealer.

Here are the two that I've been using for over a year: Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado & Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Cream! They're expensive but ACTUALLY WORK and last for a super long time. The Midnight Eye Recovery has lasted me the entire year, and the Avocado one lasted 8 months.

8. Apply your liquid foundations first with a brush and then go over it all with a damp makeup sponge.

I learned this makeup application trick from Youtube makeup gurus earlier this year and have never gone back! Dampened beauty sponges typically apply liquid foundations smoother than with a brush, but soak in more of the product, leaving you with a lighter coverage. Face brushes often give more coverage but can leave your face looking cakey/streaky. However, if you use them in combination then you get the best of both worlds! (Queue: Hannah Montana) First buff your fave foundation into the skin with a brush, and then take a little bit more of the foundation onto a wet sponge and press it all over the skin to add coverage + even it all out.

9. Put some shimmer in the inner corners of your eyes and under your eyebrows.

This step in your makeup routine is so simple and will make a BIG difference. By putting some highlighter in the inner-corners of your eyes, you'll open them up and make them look bigger & brighter. When you brush highlighter underneath the eyebrows (on the brow bone) it'll define them and give some extra glow.

10. Surround yourself with people who you love and support the true you because that's where the REAL inner-glow comes from <3

I could write an entire blog post about just this. I think the biggest thing I've learned from high school and college is to surround. yourself. with. people. that. make. you. happy. You cannot change people. Do not waste time trying to prove yourself to people that don't see your value; you cannot force them to put in as much effort as you do. When people show you their true colors, believe them, even though it may be difficult. Your time and care is important and should be spent on either yourself or the people in your life that love and support you through thick and thin. Know your self-worth!

Remember: There's not enough makeup or moisturizer in the world that can give you the same glow as the one that is ignited when you're with the people that bring out the best in you.

With Love,

Lindsay <3