Your Expert-Approved Guide to Summer Glow Makeup

Glowy skin is as covetable as a Birkin bag these days. And while celebrities like JLo and Hailey Bieber make it look easy, we mere mortals know that there's a fine line between glowy and oily. Still, landing a healthy, hydrated complexion isn't magic. It starts with great skincare and is enhanced by makeup. To find out which products will give you that natural sun-kissed glow, we tapped a makeup artist and a self-tanning guru for their radiance-boosting beauty routine.

Keep scrolling for your complete guide to summer glow makeup.

Exfoliate

Before applying any makeup, you'll want to exfoliate to get rid of any dry, flakey areas. To revive a dull complexion, start with a gentle scrub like Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream ($35) and massage it on the skin in circular motions, suggests makeup artist Kira Nasrat. To ensure your self-tanner applies evenly, we love using Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish ($67), which smooths and moisturizes in one quick step.

Alternatively, you can exfoliate with AHAs or BHAs. Lower concentrations of salicylic acid and glycolic acid, as well as lactic acid, are great for those with sensitive skin.

Hydrate

To maintain a healthy glow, hydration is key. Reach for moisturizers with good-for-your-skin ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and squalane. And rather than slather on a heavy lotion that can clog pores and instigate a breakout, opt for a lightweight face oil instead. Nasrat swears by Marula Oil by African Botanics ($100). “It’s fast-absorbing, packed with antioxidants, and hydrates at the deepest layer of the skin.”

Bronze and Highlight

With the help of some strategically-placed makeup, you can achieve a sun-kissed glow in minutes. “I love dusting a veil of bronzer powder across the forehead, bridge of the nose, temples, cheeks, chin, down the neck, and across the shoulders. I’ll even lightly contour with the bronzer so the cheekbones have more definition,” Nasrat tells us.

She loves sweeping on Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion ($65) before using Living Luminizer by RMS ($40) for extra radiance. “It’s sheer and blends beautifully creating a natural luminous glow. It doesn't have a glittery effect so it looks super natural as if your skin is glowing from within.”

Self-Tan in Moderation

Yes, you can continue self-tanning through the fall and winter months without eliciting weird stares — just remember to take a more subtle approach, suggests St. Tropez Skin Finishing Expert, Sophie Evans.

The biggest mistake people make is going too dark and applying too often (once every two weeks is ideal), she tells us. For a natural-looking finish, Evans recommends the brand’s Gradual Tan Watermelon Daily Firming Lotion ($29) and Luxe Tan Tonic Glow Drops ($42), which are easy to use and have moisturizing benefits.