How to get natural glowing skin ala Marc Jacobs' models
The Spring/ Summer 2016 take on natural looking faces comes with a soft, luminous glow. This month, a spin-off of Nars' cult hit, the Hot Sand liquid illuminator, promises to help you achieve it like a pro
NARS SPECIAL
HIT THE LIGHTS
The no-makeup makeup look has been a hit for seasons with its modern, effortless effect, but the truth is it can sometimes veer on the bland side. Spring/Summer 2016's answer to it: skin that's still natural, but with an added touch of pearlescent luminosity – see JW Anderson's fresh-faced models with a post workout glow, or Marc Jacobs' party girls who sported glossy skin (smudged blue eye shadow and mascara not withstanding). Says François Nars, founder and creative director of Nars: "Illumination really captures the light and helps you to look incredibly sexy."
A UNIVERSALLY FLATTERING SHADE
To help everyone achieve such a glow, the brand has expanded its limited edition Hot Sand liquid illuminator, which was launched last year, into a full-fledged collection. Debuting exclusively at Tangs Plaza and Tangs.com from Jan 1, it now comes in a lip gloss, blush, bronzer, and the multiple (an all-in-one multi-purpose stick for eyes,cheeks and lips.)
The popular soft peach-champagne shade has been formulated to blend with all skin tones, and thanks to its luminous beige tinge, works particularly well on Asian skin. Better yet: The shimmery particles in each product add a sheer glow to skin with just one application.
Also new: the Hanamachi Kabuki Brush ($65), which has a round, tapered tip so one can easily swirl it on the cheeks. The dense yet soft bristles allow one to pick up just the right amount of pigments – not too much, not too little – and the result is always soft, and well-blended.
HOW TO USE IT
To perfect the look, Nars' trainer/lead artist Julyen Loo has the following tips:
- Apply the Laguna bronzer underneath cheekbones for more depth, or sweep it over cheeks using the Hanamachi Kabuki Brush.
- Next, swirl the Orgasm blush over cheeks and add the Hot Sand highlighter shade, which comes as part of the Blush Duo, on top of cheekbones – they will look more lifted.
- Use the Hot Sand lip gloss with darker shades of lipstick for a full-powered pout: simply dab it onto the centre portion of your lips.
Hot Sand Illuminator, $45, is the only permanent item in the range. It's versatile enough to be mixed in with a liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser to create a glowing complexion. Plus, you can dab it onto the high planes of your cheeks to boost radiance.