Happy Friday! If you’re like me, the weekend can’t come soon enough—and sometimes it shows on your face. Whether you’ve been up too late, didn’t get nearly enough sleep, or simply don’t have the time for a full glam routine, this quick and radiant makeup look is one of my favorites for faking that “bright-eyed, well-rested” glow. Think luminous skin, flushed cheeks, shimmery lids, and a rosy lip—simple yet polished, and perfect for everyday wear.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how I pull it together, along with some of the products I can’t stop reaching for.
Step 1: A Radiant Base
The key to any glowy look starts with skincare. I love priming and moisturizing at the same time, so I reach for Tata Harper’s Illuminating Moisturizer. It gives the skin a hydrated finish with just a hint of glow.
Next comes concealer. Instead of layering on heavy foundation, I prefer to target only the areas that need coverage. Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral works beautifully under the eyes, around the nose, and on any little spots or redness.
For foundation, I rely on the lightweight Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, applied sparingly. My favorite trick? Spritzing my It Cosmetics Fully Flawless Blush Brush with rosewater spray, then stippling the foundation across the face. Even though it’s technically a blush brush, the angled shape makes it perfect for blending around cheekbones and contours. After everything is in place, I press a damp Beauty Blender lightly across my skin for that seamless, natural finish.
To add definition, I sweep the bronzer from Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze and Glow into the hollows of my cheeks, along my jawline, and at my temples. For setting, nothing beats Givenchy’s Prisme Visage Perfecting Face Powder in Popeline Rose. It’s been a staple in my bag for years because it’s creamy, never chalky, and photographs beautifully.
Step 2: Polished Brows
I think brows can make or break a look. For natural definition, I use Diorshow Brow Styler to fill in sparse areas, then brush the hairs up and into place with Benefit’s 24-Hour Brow Setter Gel. The result is a full but still soft brow that frames the face.
Step 3: Bright, Shimmery Eyes
This part is where the “awake and glowing” effect really comes to life. I start with Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion to keep everything in place. For a luminous wash of color, my ride-or-die is Charlotte Tilbury’s Eyes to Mesmerize in Marie Antoinette—a creamy, iridescent taupe that looks amazing on its own but also pairs well with other shades. I blend it across my lid and crease using both my fingertip and a MAC #217 brush, winging it out slightly for a subtle lift.
To deepen the crease, I tap a bit of Shadow Hill from the NARS Wanted Palette into the outer corners and along the lower lash line. For extra sparkle, I layer Make Up For Ever’s Starlit Liquid in Gold Champagne onto the inner corners, then press a touch of Delirium from the NARS Wanted Palette on top. The liquid gives glitter something to grip, and the combination really makes the eyes pop.
Instead of harsh eyeliner, I opt for a softer definition by pressing NYX Gel Eyeliner in Dark Brown right along the upper lash line. Before it sets, I smudge it slightly with a brush so it looks more diffused and natural.
I curl my lashes, apply a coat of Dior’s Diorshow Mascara Primer, and follow with two coats of Maybelline’s Pumped Up Colossal Volume Mascara. To make my eyes look even more awake, I line the lower waterline with NYX’s white eyeliner and pop a little highlighter from the Urban Decay x Kristen Leanne palette on the inner corners.
Step 4: A Healthy Flush
For cheeks, nothing beats the fresh finish of NARS Liquid Blush in Luster. I dot a small amount onto my cheekbones and press it in with my palms rather than a brush—it melts into the skin in the most natural way.
Step 5: A Rosy, Effortless Lip
I gravitate toward lip stains because they’re low maintenance and last all day. My current favorite is Etude House Dear Darling Water Gel Tint in BR402 (Chestnut Red). It gives that just-bitten flush without feeling heavy or fussy.
Step 6: The Finishing Touches
To tie everything together, I dust a light layer of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light across my face. This soft-focus powder blurs without mattifying too much, letting the glow still shine through.
And here’s a fun little trick I’ve been loving: adding freckles back in. After makeup, I use my brow pencil to dot a few across the bridge of my nose, then tap them gently with my finger to blend. It keeps the skin looking real and adds a playful, youthful touch.
The Final Look
The result is fresh, luminous, and just the right amount of polished—perfect for mornings when you want to look put together without spending an hour in front of the mirror. The flushed cheeks, shimmery eyes, and rosy lips work together to bring life back into the face, even when sleep was in short supply.
This has become one of my go-to routines, and what I love most is that it feels both effortless and elevated. A few thoughtful products, a touch of glow, and suddenly you look like you’ve had the best night’s rest—even if the truth is a little different.
