Journal

Step by Step: Illuminated

Step by Step: Illuminated

For our latest makeup how-to, we’re going full glow. This look, designed by Glasshouse senior stylist Ashleigh, showcases how to use Ilia Beauty’s illuminators to add definition and dimension to the face, while still keeping everything creamy and soft. Skin is dewy and plump, and lids, lips and cheekbones are light-reflecting and iridescent. This is the closest you’ll see us getting to traditional contouring, but pair this look with a summer dress and sandals and even if you haven’t just had a holiday you’ll look like you have.

Base

We used the Liquid Minerals foundation in the shade Warm Sienna for it’s moisture-boosting formula and natural, sheer finish. Made by Jane Iredale, Liquid Minerals is actually a treatment serum with balls of pigment suspended in it. Key ingredients are Hyaluronic Acid, which holds up to 40 times its weight in water, and Vitamin C to help reverse UV damage. Unlike most other Jane Iredale foundations it doesn’t have any rated SPF, so for during the day it’s important to wear sunscreen underneath or you could pop something like the Powder-Me SPF Powder in the translucent shade.

To apply, squeeze onto a palette or back of the hand and mix a little with fingers to break up the pigment. Then dab onto the face and blend into the skin - for this either a foundation brush works well or the Blending Brush from Jane Iredale, which is made with both natural goat hair and synthetic bristles and blends product seamlessly into the skin.

Contour

To create a golden glow and add definition, we turned to the cream bronze formula of Ilia Beauty’s illuminator in Sway, applied in a curved line just under the cheekbone and blended to soften. When creating contour lines, use your finger to feel where your cheekbone meets the start of your ear and start the contour line here. Then sweep down towards the mouth, not going too far but stopping around the middle of the cheek. We also added some product just on the high points of the forehead, where the sun would naturally hit. For a full-on golden glow, you can go down the middle of the nose and on the eyelids as well.

To blend, we recommend using a densely packed, short bristle brush like the RMS Beauty Skin2Skin foundation brush. Move the brush in small circular motions and ensure that no harsh lines remain.

Highlight

After adding shadow and definition, we now want to emphasise the high points of the face and add luminosity. Sweep illuminator (we used Polka Dots & Moonbeams by Ilia) on the tops of the cheekbones, brow bone, inner corners of the eyes and cupids bow. Blend out with fingers, leaving a beautiful lit-from-within glow. Ilia’s illuminators contain organic ingredients combined with rose hip oil, and the creamy consistency means they’re easy to work with and blend into the skin.

Finishing Touches

For a pop of silvery eye colour, Lunar Eye Polish from RMS was dabbed all over the lid. RMS Beauty’s Eye Polishes are formulated to give a light-reflecting finish, and give the eyes beautiful glossy look. As they’re coconut oil based, the formula is super nourishing and helps to keep the eyes well moisturised, which is particularly good for dry and mature skin. A double coat of Black Ice Longest Lash mascara was applied, and the final touch was a slick of nude lipgloss from Ilia Beauty in the shade Peek-a-Boo.

Words and images: Rosie Herdman
Model: Mia Waldern
Makeup: Ashleigh Hornell