I Don't Mess Around When It Comes to Glowy Skin—5 Secrets I Swear By

Of all of the compliments that I’ve ever received in my life, the one that I get the most often is by far about my skin. "OMG, you’re glowing!” "How do you get your skin to glow like that?” and "You’re literally glowing” are a few that come to mind, and after a while, I’ve started to take pride in my glowing-skin game. I’m not sure what it is, but somewhere along the way, I became fully obsessed with making sure I looked as much like a glowing goddess or angel who fell from heaven as is humanly possible.

This led me down a rabbit hole of body oils, lotions, and balms. You can thank me later because believe me there have been plenty of too-sticky, too-greasy, too-bronzy experiences throughout the journey. Luckily for both of us, those days are behind me, and now I could basically write the book on how to glow in the dark. There are five products that I have deemed my secret weapons, my holy grails of glow, if you will. These five products are the reason for my glowy, luminescent skin, and after keeping them a secret for years, I figured the time has come to share my wealth of knowledge on all things glowing skin.

Keep scrolling to see which five products made the list along with some other game changers.

1. Patrick Ta Major Glow Balm

I have been a fan of this product for years now, and I have Alix Earle to thank for it being basically sold out everywhere. Once the social media sensation started sharing her love for Patrick Ta's Major Glow Balm, it's been flying off the virtual shelves. But as I said before, I have been wearing and singing the praises of this glow balm for years. It comes in two different shades. Since I have brown skin, I usually opt for the bronzier shade called She's on Vacation. And boy does the product live up to the shade name. I first got this product for my first-ever trip to Miami. I wanted to go for that beach-babe, glowing-goddess vibe, and when I tried it on, I audibly gasped. I will warn you that it does tend to transfer from your skin to clothing, car seats, or literally anything around you. It's very much giving "look but don't touch." I recommend applying this product to the showing skin once you are already wearing your outfit. If you can get your hands on it, buy two, especially if you have an upcoming vacation. Any time I'm going anywhere with a swimsuit or revealing clothing involved, you can bet my Glow Balm is coming with me. 

How to apply:

I reccommend applying this product with a body brush. You can use your hands if need be, but since the product is a bit on the messy side, I highly reccommend using the brush that Patrick Ta has made to go along with the product or any other body brush. 

2. Aquaphor Healing Ointment

This one may come as a shock to some of you, but yes, Aquaphor is one of my holy-grail products for glowy skin. It is the gift that keeps on giving. If you're struggling with dry skin or lips, you need some of this on you at all times. I like to use it when I have an event on the calendar that I want to look particularly fabulous for. This product, when applied on your legs, gives that "Barbie-leg" effect. What I really love about Aquaphor is how long it lasts. Once I put it on, my skin looks shiny and glowy for hours. I recently put some on my chest and shoulders while wearing a strapless corset top, and my friends could not believe I was only wearing Aquaphor and not a designer body oil. Trust me, this stuff works. However, if you are going somewhere that's on the warmer side, this product tends to make you feel like a melting wax candle in the sun. I save this trick for evening events usually. 

How to apply:

Apply this product to the desired areas with your hands as you would a lotion. 

3. Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil 

Another MVP, the Sol de Janeiro Glowmotions Glow Body Oil is so popular—good luck getting your hands on it. It comes in two shades, with the darker shade being almost impossible to get. (Yeah, it's that good.) This product has coconut oil and açaí oil, making it super moisturizing to the skin. But the best part is that it has a blurring tint, so not only does it give you an aluminizing, bronzy glow, but it also blurs any visible imperfections. This product is inspired by Brazilians' obsession with pretty, glowing skin and is all over my For You page on TikTok. Big plus, this one is waterproof and doesn't transfer, so it may feel like it's sitting on the skin when you first apply it, but shortly after, you won't even remember you put it on. This glow oil is the one I reach for on a Saturday night out and definitely one I bring with me on vacation, not to mention it smells like heaven (as do all Sol de Janeiro products.) 

How to apply:

To apply this product, you can either mix it in with a body lotion and apply them together with your hands, apply with your hands by itself, or use a body brush. 

4. ALO Head-to-Toe Glow Oil

If there were such thing as an everyday body oil, this is it. I got my hands on ALO's Glow Oil when it first came out over a year ago, and ever since I have gotten multiple refills. This is the definition of a lightweight body oil. It seeps into the skin so smoothly and could teach a masterclass on how to be glowy without being greasy. It has turmeric and botanical oils so it nourishes, illuminates, and makes you shine. This product is so lightweight that you can actually put it on after you shower like you would a typical lotion and get under your sheets without worrying about waking up to a pile of greasy fabric. It has no scent, so if you're sensitive to smell, then this one is definitely for you. I can't stop singing the praises of this product. It not only looks good but also feels good on. I would definitely add this into your rotation of self-care products. 

How to apply:

Pump the product into the center of your palm and apply with your hands as you would a traditional lotion. 

5. Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Shimmer Highlight Lotion

An It-girl-approved product for sure. The Charlotte Tilbury Supermodel Body Shimmer Highlight Lotion is sitting in the makeup trunks of celebrity makeup artists everywhere. They don't call this product a "supermodel" product for no reason. The before-and-afters of this one are unbelievable. Not to mention this product has de-puffing agents. This is the product you reach for when you really want to look good. The shimmer and sheen it leaves on your skin is so dreamy. It instantly makes you look like a movie star. Another plus is how long it lasts, and the phrase "a little goes a long way" comes to mind. 

How to apply:

Apply this product to the desired areas with your hands and smooth as a lotion, or apply with a body brush. 

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