Any good artist knows that there’s so much more to creating a masterpiece than just really good paint. Spoiler alert: A prepped and primed canvas is equally important as the medium or tools used to produce a work of art. The same rule applies to your face.
If makeup is the paint, then the canvas is your skin, and turns out, a carefully constructed skin-care regimen plays a much bigger role in achieving dewy, dumpling skin than some may think. This doesn’t mean your routine has to be comically extensive, but knowing what your skin needs to shine, whether you top it off with makeup or not, is the only real way your complexion can reach its full potential. And with our sunniest seasons ahead of us, why would we want anything less than a perpetual afterglow?
In preparation of revising our own routines, we’ve tracked down the very best glow-enhancing skin-care and makeup products from Nordstrom for spring, summer, and let’s be real, beyond.
The Best Priming Moisturizer
If you’re going to be putting on makeup, do your skin a favor and use this moisturizer as a primer. The hyaluronic acid helps to visibly plump skin and smooth the appearance of wrinkles, so it looks like you’re radiating from the inside out.
The Best Face Cream
Never judge a book (or in this case, a jar) by its cover. Owning this luxe face cream is the best skin-friendly flex. The gel-to-balm formula uses proxylane and ceramides to help moisturize, plump, and smooth skin. The result: A natural glow, worth every penny.
The Best Cleanser
You might love the squeaky-clean feeling your everyday cleanser offers, but that’s only going to dry out your skin in the long run. While we’d normally pooh-pooh a 3-in-1 product (i.e., the body-wash-shampoo-conditioner crossbreed hiding in your boyfriend’s shower), this cleanser’s multifaceted formula, which transforms from a balm to an oil to a hydrating milk, is exactly what your skin needs to feel nourished and clean.
The Best Treatment
A well-formulated retinol is probably the closest we’ll ever get to time traveling. We can’t literally turn back the clock on sallow or wrinkled skin, but lightweight hydrating serums like this one are determined to try their best — without drying you out in the process.
The Best Foundation
It’s hard to deny how effective makeup that’s made for skin can be at pulling off a believable no-makeup makeup look. Powered by hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and olive and jojoba oils, this foundation works like a serum to lock in hydration and protect skin from pollution and blue light, while blurring the appearance of redness, dark spots, and whatever else you’re looking to camouflage.
The Best Foundation Stick
Sometimes your favorite makeup is the kind that makes you feel like you’re not wearing any at all. Although it offers buildable medium coverage, this foundation stick melts into skin like it was born to be there. The added skin-care benefits aren’t to be overlooked either — while its ceramide-peptide complex helps to visibly firm and protect the skin barrier, the kelp and lavender extracts help smooth fine lines while promoting luminosity.
The Best Highlighting Primer
The best base formulas are the ones that read like they’re undergoing an identity crisis — and we mean that with love. Take this multi-use highlighter and foundation from Dior as an example. It can be worn alone, under foundation, or on top of makeup with the sole purpose of making the high points of your face shine.
The Best Skin Tint
If you prefer lighter coverage — and built-in sun protection — this skin tint is waiting for you. The sheer coverage makes it adaptable, the SPF makes it a bare necessity, and the vitamin D and cactus flower ingredients make it a skin-care staple. It’s just an added bonus that something this lightweight is sweat-, humidity-, and crease-resistant.
The Best Bronzer
Sporting a vacation glow usually requires a vacation — this bronzer begs to differ. With its subtle shimmer and soft powder, this bronzer’s one mission is to give you a realistic sun-kissed glow. Just don’t blame us when your coworkers are left green with envy.
The Best Contour
Fit with both a contouring cream and highlighter to enhance the high points of your face, this beloved duo now includes light-diffusing pearls to help create three-dimensional radiance. It’s luxury beauty at its best.
The Best Liquid Highlighter
Add this multipurpose skin enhancer to your routine if you feel like your complexion can use a little oomph. Wear it alone or mix it into your foundation, this buildable liquid blurs and illuminates skin with ease. It adheres to skin so seamlessly, people might think you’re just blessed with skin that shines. (Your secret is safe with us.)
The Best Highlighter Stick
Looking for the kind of shine that could only come from working up a light sweat? This highlighter stick is the answer. The translucent gel adds a subtle iridescence that makes even dull skin look fresh. Plus its convenient packaging makes touch-ups easier throughout the day.
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.