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PRO TIPS: HOW TO BUILD A GLOWING BASE 

We all deserve to get a bit of a glow after the year that was 2020. Whether you’re wearing makeup to do the food shop, honing your artistry skills or simply doing it for yourself (and your virtual meetings), one of the most popular current trends is building a glowing base (to pair with this eye makeup look).

At Illamasqua, we get asked daily on our social channels and Instagram Q&A’s how to create a glowing base to suit any makeup look. The good news? A radiant base suits almost every makeup look. The even better news? We have everything you need (including our Beyond Christmas collection) at Illamasqua.com.

glowing makeup base

While we all know a good highlighter does the trick in a pinch, these refined tips by our professional makeup artists will help you achieve a truly lit-from-within look.  

1. It’s all in the primer

Head of Professional Development Frankie McKernon recommends an Illamasqua cult-favourite: Satin Primer. Pre-mix it with foundation or focus solely on the high-points of the face, Frankie’s tip will help you achieve a natural glow. 

My goto product to create glowing skin is Satin Primer. Its super versatile and easily added into your everyday makeup routine for a little more glow, especially during the winter months. Apply all over or concentrate on the high points of the face to add a natural dewy highlight. You can even mix with Skin Base Foundation to create a sheer, bespoke look.” 

2. Just keep blending 

For Head of Training Mel Barrese, her top pick for a radiant finish is our Gleam Highlighter. When it comes to achieving the ultimate glow, a fully blended highlight makes for a natural finish 

In order to get naturally glowy skin, I love to use our Gleam Highlighter in Aurora for fair to medium skin tones or Supernatural for deeper skin tones. After perfecting skin with Skin Base Foundation, I use a soft fluffy brush and in circular motions buff not just onto the cheekbones, but also bringing the highlighter down onto the apples of the cheeks, for a healthy radiance. I then dab Colour Veil onto cheeks to add some warmth, before going back in with more Gleam Highlighter to blend the blusher and add more glow. 

3. Mix products for a lit-from-within look 

Director of Artistry Pablo Rodriguez suggests pre-mixing your products ahead of application to ensure your skin is glowing. This way your final finish looks truly lit from within. 

“I like premixing products more than adding a finish on top. Add a couple drops of Beyond Liquid Highlighter mixed with Skin Base or Beyond Foundation and apply as usual. To finish, you can add accents of highlighter as the finishing touch, but the overall glow should look like it comes from the skin, not added on.” 



Krista Thurrott

Krista Thurrott

Writer and expert

When I’m not writing or perusing the beauty section, I'm usually applying skincare or trying a new eyeliner. Most confident in minimal makeup with a bold lip, I invite you to join me on my journey to find the perfect mascara and red lipstick!