In my 30’s my skin has changed much more than I anticipated.   The texture, tone, and (lack of) elasticity all snuck up on me in the last couple years.  I see ads showing beauty bloggers with GLOWING skin and think:  I want that!    But sparkle and powder aren’t always flattering on enlarged pores and hooded eyelids.   So in today’s post I’m sharing my tips on how to get glowing skin your 30’s in collaboration with Nordstrom.

How To Get Glowing Skin in your 30’s

So first things first – I live in Connecticut – there’s no natural glow to my skin in the Winter.    The weather and my skin are particularly dry in the Winter months.   As Spring and Summer approach, my skin and makeup routine changes.  I am not as (faux) tanned in the Winter and my skin is drier so I tend to use creamier products for fairer skin.  In the warmer months I would sweat creamy makeup right off if I didn’t set them with a lot of powder.    However, a lot of powder tends to settle into my pores, wrinkles, and dry areas so it’s all a balancing act.  Today’s post is about some updates I’m making to my Spring makeup to get glowing skin.

FIRST – THE PREP: INVEST TIME IN SKINCARE

  This is something I didn’t spend much time on in my 20’s.   I washed my face in the shower and that was my skincare ????‍♀️.   Now it’s definitely more of a process but I can see so much improvement when I put in a little time. I was using the Tula skincare products for awhile and then strayed away when I ran out.   My skin was looking so much better, and then over the 2 months I switched out of it I noticed more breakouts and dry patches.    Every night I use their face wash (though I’m about to try this face wash), then the toner, and then the moisturizer.    The moisturizer is lightweight without getting sucked up so fast that my skin is dry again minutes later.  I use it both morning (under my makeup) and night.   I just ordered some other anti aging skincare items so I’ll update you once I have time to try them.

Another item I recently started using is the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads.  These came highly recommended to me by several Instagram followers.  I haven’t noticed overnight results (I’ve only used them a couple weeks) but the reviews are so good I’m sticking to them!    Nordstrom also sells a lot of skincare gadgets that simulate med-spa services in the privacy of your home.   I own several and there are even more I am curious about.

Do you own any skincare devices?

During last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary sale I purchased this home PMD Personal Microderm Pro Device that helps exfoliate the top layer of dead skin.  Side note – are you a Nordstrom cardholder?   The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that starts in mid-July for cardholders is a bigger event than Black Friday to me!  It opens to Nordstrom cardholders a week before the public and the most popular items sell out the first day of the sale.   More on that later. Anyway, back to beauty.   I recently got a vampire facial at a local med spa and have been eyeing some home devices that might give similar results.   My skin is softer and plumper since having the facial but it is quite an investment.  Have any of you tried this Glo Pro Microneedling Tool?  There are less expensive micro needling options as well but the Glow Pro has good reviews.   I have also done derma planing at the med spa I go to and I saw Nordstrom carries this home derma planing device that I’m so curious about.

SPRAY TAN AT HOME

If you saw my recent bathing suit roundup I mentioned I feel spray tans help diminish the appearance of cellulite, wrinkles, and I even saw someone post tips for “contouring” abs with spray tanner.   I mean, I like working out, but spray tan me some abs and I won’t complain!! I have been spray tanning at home for the last year.  Before that, I was paying $45 at the tanning salon and $15 in babysitting to be there.    A home spray tanner paid for itself in just a few uses. I previously had a bulky home spray tan set up that came with a tent and was SO loud I had to do it in my basement if my kids were sleeping.   Just recently I upgraded to this St. Tropez Pro Light home spray tan system and I wish I’d done it sooner!!   It’s so easy and I can do it in my shower.   The machine is more compact and quieter so I don’t have to ask my husband to spray me unless I want help with my back.    With my previous machine I could not spray myself.

Moisturize and then Prime

As I said, my skin is dry so I always have to moisturize morning and night.    I have been loving this Smashbox Photofinish Primer that I got in the trial size option from Nordstrom.com.   The trial size has lasted me quite a while so if you’ve been contemplating try it – it’s a great way to make sure you love it.  Last time I went to my local Nordstrom I picked up the Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer to see if it would add in the subtle glow I was hoping for now that Spring is here.  It does help the makeup go on smoother with a VERY subtle sheen.

BRONZE

I use a bronzer to contour below my cheekbones and give me a skin kissed look on my forehead.   There are so many great bronzers out there it’s one of the things I jump around with.    Depending on if you want some shimmer or matte Nordstrom carries so many bronzer options!  I just grabbed this bronzer by Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder (in shade 4) but I hear amazing things about this HOOLA bronzer as well. I use this Mac Pink Lipstick (in shade “Brave”) on both my lips and I dab a little on my fingertip and use it on my cheeks as well.   For special occasions I add this Mac lip liner in shade “Soar”.

Dewy, not Greasy or Sparkly

Because I am 36 I am aiming for a dewy look more than a sparkle.   This Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer gave my skin SO MUCH glow but I felt like it highlighted some texture issues in brighter light.   I found another popular CC cream that has a thick sunscreen and had a similar effect on my skin.  My pores are much more noticeable now compared to 5 years ago so I only want certain areas of my face to glisten.   If you don’t have texture issues you’re concerned about I highly recommend the Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer to make your skin glisten. Since I’m aware of my skin’s texture changes I am using the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Moisturizing Photo Edition Foundation and adding some highlighting powders for a more subtle glow.   The foundation is both full coverage and long lasting.  Shade “beige ivory” matches my faux tan perfectly.    If you haven’t tried a BeautyBlender makeup sponge I highly recommend it for pressing and blending makeup for a more flawless finish.

Best Known Setting Powder

Like I said above I don’t reach for powder much in the Winter because my skin is so dry, but I do use it in warmer months to set my makeup. My absolute favorite setting powder is the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.   It’s the one I hear most beauty bloggers refer to as one of their staple products.    Because it’s a loose powder it’s a bit easier to apply just a very small amount so it doesn’t look cakey. I also use the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Loose Powder to set my under eyes and in the red areas around the base of my nose in the warmer months.   While the pot seems small on the brightening powder it lasts SO long!   More than a year for me.   Since these products last so long I decided to rebuy the smaller pots in the Set and Glo Trio because I wanted to try the  Candlelight Mineral Illuminating Powder that is included. I love that the highlighter is a loose powder because it gives you the option to mix a little into your foundation or tinted moisturizer if you choose.   It’s a mineral powder so it absorbs oil and you won’t look greasy and glowing.  It is a loose powder and therefore easy to control how much highlight you add.   I sweep it over the top of my cheekbones, along my nose, and just below my brows.   I also grabbed these game changer eyeshadow sticks which are SO easy to apply and don’t fall below my eyes like some powder shadows do.   Putting a light, shimmer shade on the inner corner of my eyes really enhances that little lid space I have since my eyes are hooded.

SET IT AND FORGET IT

No matter what time of year I love the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.   I often put makeup on at 7 am and don’t wash my face until 8 pm so I want it to hold up!   This setting spray does just that!   You can order it in a trial size if you’re skeptical.   In the Summer I use a small amount of the Laura Mercier Translucent Powder on my more slick areas and then 2-3 pumps of the Urban Decay setting spray over my entire face. I know I mentioned a LOT of products I love in this post so I wanted to highlight my personal must haves below.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITES

    Nordstrom has so many helpful customer reviews on almost all of their products if you’re looking for something new.   I would LOVE to hear from you guys about how to get glowing skin – what are you doing?   Personal recommendations always hold the most weight for me.   Drop a comment below if you get a chance.

Thank you to Nordstrom and ShopStyle for sponsoring this post.