No matter our age, a dewy, glowing complexion probably ranks near the top of any list of most wanted beauty attributes. But for many of us, as the years pass, so (sadly) does the glow.

Luckily, I’ve got good news: with a few internal or external adjustments, we can recapture some of that beautiful radiance.

As a working professional makeup artist, I decided to provide many different ways that can help you create a beautiful glow for your skin. You definitely don’t need to do all (or most) of these, but perhaps one or two of the proposed options will turn out to be the best choice for you.

There are three different approaches to creating a gorgeous glow:

• Making some internal (think nutrition) and external (think hygiene) adjustments.
• Using good skincare and makeup products.
• Taking advantage of best product application techniques.

The Important Role of Nutrition and Good Hygiene

First let’s focus on some internal adjustments we can make to help regain some natural glow. One of the most important things we can do for our skin is to eat a plant-based diet focusing on veggies, fruits, and whole grains (and less meat) – in other words, your basic Mediterranean Diet approach.

And we’ve all heard it… and it’s true: drinking eight glasses of water each day not only helps rid the body of toxins, but it can also help plump the skin making fine lines less evident.

When it comes to hygiene, be sure to keep the following clean: makeup brushes, cell phone, and pillowcase.

It’s best to clean your brushes at least weekly (especially those used to apply foundation). Your cell phone deposits a boat-load of germs on your cheeks and jaw with each use, so it’s worth using some anti-bacterial wipes.

And consider changing your pillowcase every few days. Since cellular renewal in your skin happens during the night, you can help the process along by reducing the count of bacteria your face encounters on your pillowcase.

As we mature, our skin cells turn over less frequently which can cause our skin to look dull because it no longer reflects light. That’s why it’s very important to get rid of dead skin cells by exfoliating your skin two or three times a week.

Be sure to check out Elise’s YouTube channel which specifically focuses on makeup tips, techniques, and product reviews for those of us 50+. Don’t forget to subscribe!

Skincare Products for Glowing Skin

You may not know this, but there are some important products you might want to consider adding to your skincare routine:

• A hyaluronic acid serum provides moisture at a deeper level (and holds up to 100 times its weight in water),
• Vitamin C brightens the skin and evens out the skin tone, and
• Retinol (a form of Vitamin A) encourages faster cell turnover leading to more collagen production and reduction of fine lines.

Always check with your dermatologist first before trying out any new skincare products. If you’re interested in some sample skincare products, the video below can help with that.

What About Makeup?

Now let’s talk about the four different types of makeup products we can use to create a stunning glow. We can use just one of these products or we can layer them to create an even more intense glow. So which products we use – and how many we layer – depends on what type of look we want to create.

The first of these is face primer, which we can wear either under our foundation or mixed in it. We can also use foundation with built-in glow. We can apply it by itself all over the face or mix it in with a matte or satin finish foundation.

Third on the list is a cream, liquid, or powder highlighter (also called an illuminator). And finally, we can use finishing sprays and powders.

Where and How We Apply Products Can Also Make a Difference

We can create even more glow simply considering where and how we apply a product. The products mentioned above can be applied all over the face, in layers, or in strategic areas.

The application technique also makes a difference in how much glow we get. We can apply creams or liquids with our fingers, a brush, or a dampened makeup sponge. Powders look best when applied with a brush or a sponge dampened with either water or a luminous setting mist.

Remember, the less you sheer out the product with your application method, the more glow you’ll get.

Finally, an application option that works beautifully with a stick highlighter (which sometimes doesn’t glide on very easily) is to dab a little of your favorite moisturizer on the back of your hand. Then dip your fingers into the cream stick and then into the moisturizer and it will glide on effortlessly AND provide some additional glow.

Do you use any skincare products that have helped your skin look more glowing? Do you have a favorite makeup product you use to create more glow for your skin? If so, please share what products you use that have worked well for you. Please join the conversation.