Name: Nidhi
Age: 30
Location: Mumbai, India
What I Do: Deputy Editor, POPxo
I’m a compulsive shopper. Every new launch hooks me – even if it is only a momentary obsession. A typical weekend in my life is spent either thinking about makeup or buying and learning about makeup. And I don’t think that is ditsy… the multi-billion dollar beauty business employs millions of women, supports a lot of households, and gives us products that bring a smile to all our faces. So, I firmly believe, there’s nothing ditsy about beauty.
It isn’t uncommon to find me sitting in a dimly-lit corner of my house, binge-watching YouTube tutorials like I’m not going to see the light of another day. And if I’ve got chores, I walk around my house doing every chore with a YouTube video playing on 2x (because who’s got the time, you know?). And when I’m not educating myself, I’m organising my stash or arranging it into pretty flat lays and writing down my thoughts for an Instagram review.
Perks of being at POPxo involve testing and trying out new products almost daily. This basically means I subject my skin to a lot of new products and ingredients every day, so it is far from perfect. I also wear makeup every day — perks and perils of being a beauty enthusiast. The zits, the blemishes and the (unfortunate) dry skin in a humid city like Mumbai don’t make my skincare routine any easier. Finding a product that gives your skin an ethereal glow without leaving you in a sweat is a struggle I bet you can relate to if you’ve lived in Mumbai.
But if I had to sport only one beauty trend for the rest of my life, it would be dewy skin. There’s something about that lit-from-within glow and that plump, happy, and healthy skin that I just can’t get enough of. My routine for luminous skin focuses on skincare and while you look like a gorgeous glazed doughnut, your skin also improves just a little more each day. Plus, spoiler alert, it’s cheaper than a cab ride! Intrigued?
Dewy Skin Routine For Dummies
Over the years, in an attempt to get that glow, I’ve given everything a fair shot. I have tried a ton of glow-enhancing products, like moisturisers, facial oils, illuminators, jelly highlighters, the list goes on. The end result? Glittery, shimmery or sweaty skin. After all this trial and error, I’ve realized that skincare is the key! Whether you’re a pro or a newbie in the world of beauty, this is something you can’t neglect. I use one product that preps, primes, moisturises and makes my skin glow before I put on any makeup. Get this right and, makeup or no makeup, you’ll glow, girl.
Here are my 2 commandments for dewy skin!
Step 1: Cleanse
This is the most important step in any skincare routine. Whether you’re putting on makeup or retiring for the day – cleansing is non-negotiable. Your skin must be clean to be able to glow. One of the best tips I can give you is to use a gentle cleanser in the morning and a slightly more potent one in the evening. It’s the best way to keep your skin happy and healthy, especially if you wear makeup during the day.
Step 2: Moisturiser and Sunscreen
Prepping your skin is step two. The only way your skin will glow (with or without makeup) is if it’s hydrated. My advice would be to use a rich moisturiser that has natural ingredients. This will keep your skin soft, bouncy and help it heal over time. Believe it or not, this acts as a primer for your skin and gets it ready for makeup. Skip this step and your makeup won’t glide on easily. It might look patchy and your skin won’t have that natural glow. I have dry skin and I love using the Skin So Smooth Egyptian White Lotus moisturiser. You need a very very tiny amount of it, and it absorbs beautifully!
It gives my skin a kick of hydration before applying SPF and it’s loaded with skin-loving ingredients. Even though it is thick, it sinks right into the skin. The next step is to use an SPF (minimum SPF 30). I’m as dewy as a glazed doughnut when I do it right. On days when I want to wear makeup, I use a liquid foundation or a concealer to spot correct and set my T-zone and under-eye area with loose powder. As the day passes, the moisturiser brings out my skin’s natural oils and I’m left with a beautiful glow. No glitter, no shimmer, no filters, just envious g-l-o-w-i-n-g skin!
The one thing to remember while buying foundation is to match it exactly to the skin on your neck. Don’t go lighter or darker. Match your makeup to your jawline and your neck, and nobody will ever guess you’re wearing any. The trick is to use it sparingly, only on areas that need it!
That’s it, that is my everyday routine for glowing skin. I told you, it costs less than a cab ride across town. And here we are, spending thousands in pursuit of that holy-grail product that will give us the dewy skin of our dreams. Who knew that the answer to all your glow troubles was a humble moisturiser?
All pictures: Author’s own
POPxo is now available in six languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.
Introducing #POPxoEverydayBeauty – POPxo Shop’s collection of skin, bath & body, and hair products that are fun, effective and 100% fuss-free. To celebrate, we’re giving everyone 25% off on pre-orders so head to POPxo.com/beautyshop and take your beauty routine up a POP!
