With COVID and lockdowns being a common part of life over the past 18 months, we’ve seen a huge uptake in self-care and skincare as people are willing to spend more time on their skin and skincare. In terms of makeup, ‘clean’ formulations have been highly requested, especially cream and liquid formulations – they’re easy to use, and good for the skin – what more could you want?

Glass skin is that naturally glowing-from-within look, so starting with skincare is key. Since we are in the winter months, it’s super important to hydrate and protect the skin's barrier. My top recommendations for skincare would be anything with ceramides in it. Ceramides are fatty acids that occur naturally in the skin, helping to repair and strengthen the skin's barrier, diminish texture and help to hold moisture in the skin.

One of my favourite moisturisers at the moment is Sunday Riley ICE – it is a rich face cream that melts into the skin with a cocktail of skin-loving ingredients such as ceramides, vitamin F (strengthens the moisture barrier in the skin) and red algae (a calming ingredient that locks moisture into the skin).

With regards to makeup, the key to glass skin is ‘less is more’ – my recommendation is to use a light-to-medium coverage tinted moisturiser or foundation, and to only use it where coverage is needed. If you are going to go over with a cream blush, bronzer or highlighter, try not to put too much product on your cheek area, as this is going to create layers of product and could lead to separation or balling.

If you have any pesky spots that need covering in that area, try mixing some concealer in with your cream blush or bronzer and pressing on with your finger. This way, you will be able to conceal and create dimension without any imperfections showing through.

My favourites for lightweight foundation are the Kosas Tinted Face Oil and Chantecaille Just Skin. The Kosas Tinted Face Oil is a lightweight tint with medium, buildable coverage. The great thing about this product is that although it is oil-based it dries down, so it’s not too oily looking, but still gives a radiant glow. This product is best applied with a dense buffing brush, like the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation brush. Apply a few drops of the skin tint to the hand and work this onto your brush. Work in buffing motions starting with the t-zone, and blend out. Starting from the t-zone creates an even finish and doesn’t get that product build-up in the hair line.

Chantecaille Just Skin is technically known as a tinted moisturiser, but has the ability to build up. This product has the added benefits of skincare and SPF, which means your skin is reaping the skincare benefits while still giving you coverage – win! This product is best applied with a damp sponge. Start by squeezing some product on the hand and using a damp sponge gently pat onto the skin until you get your desired coverage.

The key with this look is to just create a sheer layer of foundation so you can still see your skin coming through. If necessary, spot-conceal where required. My recommendation for concealing is using something hydrating under the eyes, and something more full coverage and matte on spots.

For under the eyes, try the Kosas Revealer Concealer – this product has a great amount of coverage, along with skin brightening and tightening ingredients such as caffeine and peptides. Simply dot around the eye (careful not to use too much product) and press into the under-eye area with your finger – use the remaining product around the orbital bone for additional brightening.

For spots, the NARS Soft Matte concealer is great! It is full coverage yet weightless and doesn’t cake on the face. Apply this by either pressing onto the affected area with a finger, or using a buffing brush – my favourite is the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Concealer Brush.