'Golden hour skin' is the pretty makeup hack for a next-level glow
Golden hour skin is the beauty secret that the pros are all in on. Photographers of all people know how important lighting is. You want soft-focus, beautifully illuminated, sun-warmed skin? You've got to hold fire for 'golden hour'.
Technically speaking, that means striking a pose just after sunrise, or just before sunset, when the light is low on the horizon and covers everything it touches in a magical golden glow. Sounds dreamy right?
If we could walk around with a permanent golden hour filter on our skin, we would. There's nothing more gorgeous or flattering to warm up complexions or shine a light (literally speaking) on pretty highlighted cheekbones, sparkly eyeshadow or glossy lips.
Instagram content
So, I guess we just wait for the light to hit different, right? Er, wrong. Makeup artists know all about golden hour, too. Undeniably it's the best time to showcase their makeup, but because they can't always guarantee they'll be working in a sun-drenched location (looking at you, studio shoots, daytime events and evening red carpets), they've worked out a way to recreate that signature glow outside of the usual hours.
Instagram content
You might have guessed it involves some tactical highlighting, and you'd be correct. Specifically, it involves carefully layering silky, glowy pigments and a delicate blend of textures: powders, creams and liquids, to resemble that golden hour light.
Instagram content
Get it right and your complexion can look sun-soaked and beautifully lit no matter the time of day or the conditions. Two makeup artists who have golden-hour skin under their makeup belt are Tanielle Jai and Harel Margalit. Both are pros at building an exquisite soft-focus molten makeup look.
Instagram content
And, if you're after product recommendations, we've listed some of their favourite to use below:
For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk.
8 ways to achieve golden-hour skin
Iconic London Prep Set & Glow, £22, LookFantastic
A glistening spray that works for face or body and comes in Original (a champagne) or Glow (a warm bronze that's perfect for faking that golden hour glow).
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter, £34, Charlotte Tilbury
It does what it says on the tin, the wand swipes on a soft-focus, glowy veil that's like a glowing skin filter in a bottle. Plus, it's available in 8 glowing shades to suit multiple skin tones. Apply it alone or mix with your foundation.
Iconic London Illuminator, £25.50, LookFantastic
A gleaming metallic glow for a glass-like finish, this comes in four shades so you can match it to your undertone.
Tom Ford Sheer Highlighting Duo Reflects Gilt, £62, LookFantastic
The two complementary shades are inspired by sunrise and sunset, which incidentally is exactly the glow they replicate across skin.
YSL Touche Éclat Shimmer Stick Highlighter, £27, Fenwick
This creamy formula melts into skin for seamless glowy warmth. You can choose from four colours to glaze your skin.
Fenty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo, £28, Harvey Nichols
For killer radiance, this finely milled, powder is a delicate addition to cheekbones, cupids bows and brow bones. We love the shade Afternoon Snack.
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette, £36, Boots
The shade Universal 001 is exactly that, a universal palette that works across dark, medium and fair skin tones beautifully. Plus the multi-purpose palette can triple up as an eyeshadow, bronzer and blusher to give eyes and cheeks a glow-up.
Save when you shop for the best highlighter with these Boots discount codes.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand, £29, Charlotte Tilbury
Super simple to use, just wave this wand (OK, obviously it has to touch the skin, but you get the point...) over cheekbones, brow bones and temples for a high gloss but glitter-free effect. Sheer and neutral, it will work on any skin tone, too.
