I have a confession to make. I’ve been getting a ton of compliments on my complexion as of late, and friends are asking, “What are you doing to your skin? Did you change your diet? You’re glowing!” And, I respond with: “Nothing new. Just using my same old Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($43).
” But the truth is, I’m adding a second, secret product to the mix and being mum about it: a rose gold highlighting powder. It’s magic. Okay, not really magic, but as close to magic as your complexion can get. I’m using MAC’s Extra Dimension Skinfinish Superb which is, sadly, no longer available.A rose gold highlighter gives the most awesome shimmery, lit-from-within glow to the skin. I’ve been a fan of highlighters to “highlight” key points on my face for years, but it wasn’t until I switched to a rose gold highlighter that I received this onslaught of compliments.
Why is this? I’m not entirely sure, but here’s my educated guess: Champagne-hued highlighters offer a golden sheen, which looks great on tanned skin, but can appear slightly yellow and even sallow on a paler complexion. But rose gold is like an instant brightener for all skin tones – pale to tan. Unlike a white highlighter, rose gold blends into most skin colors. And it’s such a subtle shade that it’s not obvious you’re even wearing makeup (perhaps just a few misplaced flecks of shimmer?), hence the compliments on the natural glow.
But then there’s an added secret weapon that really sets the rose gold highlighter into the skin. It’s the Becca The One Perfecting Brush ($49), a multitasking powerhouse of a makeup brush that effortlessly covers large areas of skin with one sweep – or press – of the bristles. This brush has changed my makeup application life! I use it solely for my highlighting needs by creating the shape of a “t” on my forehead, pressing vertically onto cheekbones, dabbing onto chin and bridge of nose, and a light tap onto the nose labia, or folds that go from mid-nose to jawline. BUT, this brush receives rave reviews for applying foundation and powder as well. The secret lies in the brush’s length – about 3.5 inches – and non-porous bristles which allow powders and creams to sit on top rather than absorb into the brush. So, once you take brush to skin, the transfer of product is seamless and vibrant. If you’re a master with brushes (or painting), you can utilize the edges and corners of this brush to contour, swipe, wipe, define, and so much more.
So, there you have it. My secret to a natural complexion isn’t exactly natural. But I’m all for a few key products that give the illusion of seriously awesome genetics.