Glo Skin Beauty Illuminating Primer

A light base under your makeup for skin that looks dull, flat, or tired, giving it back that little bit of life that foundation alone doesn't provide.

Why it works

Dull skin is usually not a matter of a lack of color, but a lack of light. When the top layer of the skin is uneven, light reflects in all directions and your complexion looks flat. This primer lays a fine, slightly pearlescent film over it that reflects light more purposefully, with a soft peachy undertone that counteracts sallowness. The result is a glow that seems to come from within rather than glitter sitting on top.

In addition, the formula provides some skincare benefits. Vitamin C helps the skin look brighter and also protects against environmental stressors. Squalane and jojoba oil soften and keep the skin supple. The glow itself comes from ethically sourced mica; it is talc-free. The texture is light and easy to blend.

For whom

For normal, dry, or combination skin that looks dull, especially in winter or after a busy period. Also great if you don't really want to wear foundation: applied on its own, your skin will already look more awake. The manufacturer does not recommend this primer for oily or acne-prone skin; in that case, take a look at the Mattifying Primer.

The difference between the other two primers

Three primers, the same price, so it's a fair question to ask which one to choose. The Illuminating Primer works on dull skin and provides a glow. The Mattifying Primer does the exact opposite: it removes shine, using niacinamide, tea tree, and caffeine, and is made for combination, oily, or acne-prone skin. The Blurring Primer sits in between and works on texture, with ceramides, for visible pores and fine lines, with a semi-matte finish. In short: too dull, too shiny, or too uneven.

How to use it

Apply your serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen and let them absorb completely. Then take a pea-sized amount on your fingertips and distribute it over your entire face, or more specifically on the areas where you want light: the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the center of your forehead. You can then apply foundation, or simply leave it as is.

My advice

I see the best results with women who don't smear it all over their entire face, but only on the high points. Shine everywhere can quickly give an oily impression; shine on the spots where light naturally hits reads as healthy skin. That difference is greater than you might think.

And an honest note: if your skin is truly oily, you won't like this, no matter how beautiful it looks on someone else. That isn't a matter of applying it correctly; it's in the formula. If you're somewhere in between, feel free to combine it with a mattifying product in your T-zone.

Are you unsure which of the three primers suits your skin? Feel free to send me a message and we'll figure it out together.