How to GLOW in the Dead of Winter

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It’s pretty challenging to duplicate a “summer glow” in the dead of winter, but I was up for the challenge with this makeup look.

I’m not sure there is anything better you can do to your skin to make it look more youthful and fresh then applying a rich moisturizer and an illuminating primer. Dry skin lacks vibrancy, bounce, glow, reflection, etc. So if there is only one thing you take from this demo, let it be that you need to find a richly hydrating moisturizer for your skin. Even for those of you with oily skin, there is a moisturizer out there that will hydrate where it needs to hydrate, and not clog pores in the meantime.

The biggest impact from the glow in this look is from the illuminating primer, though. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m an on again off again primer user. Sometimes I’m dedicated to daily use, otherwise, I forget to use it and don’t really notice. However, if I use this Illuminating Primer from Laura Mercier one day and not the next, I notice.

I was browsing the beauty department at Nordstrom recently and tested a few different primers from Laura Mercier’s new line up, and the Illuminating one was my very favorite. I considered getting a sample to try since the consultants at Nordstrom are always so helpful when I ask to try out products, but I just loved the finish so much I decided to go ahead buy the primer.

I’ve used it every day since then!

Before I show you a side by side of how beautiful this primer is, I want to share one tip if you are going to begin using this product or something like it:

If you want maximum impact from this primer, be sure you pair it with a sheer or medium coverage foundation. That will allow the glow to shine through. Covering it up with a full coverage foundation would be a crime! 

So here is my lovely, sensitive, irritated in some areas skin in its natural state.

And here is the Illuminating Primer applied to the right side (my left).

Not only does a primer like this add hydration and stickiness for makeup to adhere, but it offered the prettiest pearlized glow to the skin.

Here is another view of my skin without the primer.

And here is the side with the primer!

I chose my favorite sheer/buildable foundation, NARS Sheer Glow for this glowing makeup look. I also did not skimp on the highlighter application either, and would highly recommend the Bronze and Glow Duo from Charlotte Tilbury!

You can check out the products I used for this makeup look below, as well as a few other highlighting primers to explore!

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen.

Glowing, hydrated skin always looks beautiful and if you are feeling drab and dull this winter season, try this primer!

This post was sponsored by Nordstrom.

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Paige says · 01.27.20

Looks beautiful! I want to confirm that you only used the one eye shadow on lids and no actual lip color – only the lip liner?

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Jen says · 01.27.20

Which color is the Laura Mercier caviar eye stick? The link takes me to “blossom” or “caramel”. Just curious which one you used.

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Kate says · 01.27.20

I have Au Natural and Caramel, both are great!

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Tricia says · 01.27.20

Holy Cow – that last photo!! I am not sure you have ever looked more lovely! And that is saying something, because you always looks Beautiful 🙂

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Bridget S. says · 01.27.20

Those lips though! What are those products?

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Lillie says · 01.27.20

This is so timely! I have booked family photos for April on the eve of my son’s high school graduation. We have never done professional photos of all four of us, probably because I’m camera shy. Looking back, waiting until I turned 50 wasn’t my best decision. Do you have a blog post on makeup and hair for photographs? I am planning to get a blowout, but I like to do my own makeup. I definitely have an everyday look that is more natural, not unlike yours. I don’t want to look super-glam, but I do know I need to step it up a notch. Thanks!!

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AA says · 01.27.20

Hi Kate,
Do you apply the primer everywhere or do you avoid shine-prone areas like the forehead?

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Kate says · 01.27.20

My skin is dry so I apply it all over. If you have oily areas you may want to avoid those!

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Sadie says · 01.27.20

You mention the importance of moisturizer in this post:
“If there is only one thing you take from this demo, let it be that you need to find a richly hydrating moisturizer for your skin.”
Can you please let us know which is your favorite moisturizer . . . or perhaps do a post that recommends some good options?

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Jennifer Williams says · 01.27.20

From past posts, I think we tend to use the same foundation colors. What shade do you use in Nars Sheer Glow? Love the finish and final look!

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KIM FORBES says · 01.27.20

I absolutely love this!! Could you do a video with how you apply everything? You look beautiful! xoxo

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Belinda says · 01.27.20

Beautiful!! What mascara are you using??!!

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KIM FORBES says · 01.27.20

Also, what mascara and lipstick are you wearing? Thanks again!!

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Holly says · 01.27.20

What lipstick color is that? So pretty!

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Sheila says · 01.27.20

What heavy duty moisturizer would you recommend for dry sensitive skin that isn’t in the $60+ price range and available in Canada.

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Kate says · 01.27.20

Olay!

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 01.27.20

Looking gorgeous, Kate! Thank you for sharing this makeup look with us! ❤️✨

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Kelly says · 01.27.20

The first thing I noticed were the lips!! The lip liner and lipstick combo is glowing!! And I’ve never thought of lips as something that can add “glow” to a makeup look. So pretty!!💕

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Kate says · 02.14.20

For my lips I lined them with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, blended it in around the edges of my lips, then finished with a clear gloss!

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Karen says · 01.28.20

Good Morning,

Is the shade finder feature on Sephora’s website a good indication for foundation shade? I want to try the NARS foundation but struggling with what shade I am. I currently use the Bobbi Brown BB Cream in shade light but I need a little more coverage for redness.

Thank you! I really enjoy your blog and instagram stories!!

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Kate says · 02.14.20

I use 4.75 in the NARS foundation!

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Cam says · 01.28.20

What lipstick are you wearing?
Love the color.

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Kate says · 02.14.20

For my lips I lined them with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, blended it in around the edges of my lips, then finished with a clear gloss!

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Sue says · 01.28.20

I don’t see the lip color you used ?

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Kate says · 02.14.20

For my lips I lined them with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, blended it in around the edges of my lips, then finished with a clear gloss!

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Kate says · 01.29.20

Thanks for sharing this! You looks so great as always!!

-Kate
https://daysofkate.com/

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Annie says · 02.08.20

What lipstick color are you wearing? Beautiful!

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Kate says · 02.14.20

For my lips I lined them with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, blended it in around the edges of my lips, then finished with a clear gloss!

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Candace B says · 02.09.20

Gorgeous!

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Karen Jedrzynski says · 02.14.20

What colors did you use in this? When I click on the link it takes me to the website, but it gives me the choices of colors. I’m especially interested in your lip color.

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Kate says · 02.14.20

Can you be more specific about what colors you are asking for? For my lips I lined them with Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, blended it in around the edges of my lips, then finished with a clear gloss!

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Allison says · 10.14.20

Is the fresh moisturizer your favorite for winter? My skin is dry year-round, so I’m looking for something extra hydrating for the upcoming winter months.

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Malissa says · 12.03.20

Can you use bronzer along with the contour in the winter? I am fair skinned but feel like I need that little bit of color to make me look healthy in the dead of winter.

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Kate says · 12.03.20

absolutely yes!

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