Illuminator is a dazzlingly useful product that creates the illusion of supermodel cheekbones, and offers a dame rude levels of glow. It is a wonderful piece of makeup sorcery, yet sadly a lot of women do not know what it is, or how to harness its magic.
Thankfully there is a no-fail application technique for all of us: The Boomerang.
And, as promised, some terrific illuminators:
LIQUID: Benefit Moonbeam and their soon to be released golden bronze version, Sunbeam; Clinique Up-Lighting.
CREAM/GLOSS: Bloom Illuminiser, Becca Bird of Paradise Gloss
POWDER: Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Sportsgirl Get Cheeky (a blush-illuminator hybrid.)
Who’s YOUR pick from illuminators Inc.?
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Comments
119 Comments so far
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Bless you and your wizardry Zoe!! I’ve been reading through some old posts and was wondering if I was meant to use illuminator and bronzer and if so, how? Then I stumbled across your fantastic video! Thank you!
PS My list of prodz to buy is getting longer by the minute!
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Hello Zoe,
I like the simplicity of your makeup in this video for illuminators. Can you tell me what you have used on your face for this video – mainly base and eyes. Also if you have used under eye corrector and concealer, can you note those too.
Thanks!
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Great post Zoe. Have the Revlon Illuminator you used & was unsure about best areas for application.
Read of your engagement in OK! mag whilst on hols last week. Congrats & chuckled at pic of the ‘rock’. Very clever & creative. Can’t wait to see the real thing sparkling on video!
It would seem that you are now being stalked a little by the paparazzi….skirt blowing up in the wind in another mag about a month or so ago….you are becoming quite the famous girl about town
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Zoe! Zoe! Zoe! can you please tell what you are wearing on your skin in this video? The eye shadow colours, your base and your lips? Please? Big love.
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I was inspired to try this last night and I was thrilled with the results. I’m a hopeless at applying cheek make-up, so the fact that it didn’t end up looking like a complete disaster is a credit to Zoe’s teaching skills
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Hi Zoe – not sure it this is the right place to ask this question but is it possible for you to give updated products for the bridal makeup section of your book “Amazing Face”? I got the book for Christmas and I am loving all the useful tips, however some of the products you recommend in the bridal makeup section are discontinued, such the MNY dream mousse blush and the clinique colour surge bare brilliance lipstick. Many thanks Mel
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Well after watching your vids, purchased (1) an eyebrow pencil and comb, (2) a new foundation- lancôme teint miracle and (3) a nude by nature liquid illuminator. Tried out all three this morning with my normal minimalistic makeup routine and guess what???! I felt fabulous all day. For someone who’s never had anyone to to show me what to do with makeup I just wanted to thank you for explaining it so clearly and unpretentiously. Thanks!! Ps ignore my avatar that is my fave footy player and I use a global avatar for my supercoach forum ( I am a girl!!)
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Love Girl Meets Pearl as a product to mix into my foundation and Watt’s Up for a ‘boomerang-style’ application. Plus how can anyone really go past their packaging?
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Hey guys, inspired to buy an illuminator during mad dash to Kmart today. Nice! Having come off a seriously sleep deprived week I need a bit of light. Off topic but one for the community. How do you deal with DISCONTINUED re: favourite products? I’ve found it just inspired a rash of purchases which do not suit and I end up pining for the lost item. So…MM community, any recommendations for a replacement for the Clarins Tinted Moisturiser (beige, I’m fair). I wish I had known and had stocked up prior!. I’ve found any other moisturiser I’ve tried is too dark/off color. Apparently the replacement Clarins product is no good. After my CHristmas discovery that Aqua di Gio (original) was discontinued, I’ve sunk into a slump! (still available on strawberry net thank goodness – god knows how old it is
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How the heck do you not have any red veins in your eyes AT ALL!!!
They are sooo white and gorgeous!!
Please share if your are doing something to help brighten your eyes!
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You’ve been deceived sadly: It’s the lens on camera. Violently flattering and forgiving.
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Well I need to get my mother some contacts made out of that lens material then because she ALWAYS points out my red veins!
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I love illuminators and have so much fun with them. I have two Face of Australia illuminators, one moonbeam, three highbeams (both from Benefit) and I also use YSL’s Touche Eclat as a highlighter to brighten up my dark circles.
No wonder I am not allowing myself to buy any new beauty products in January? I might actually have to extend the ban to February because I just have way too many products and they don’t get used as often as they should. I hope I’m not the only one with this “problem”:)
I did pick up the Priceline catalogue yesterday and it was purely to test my willpower. They have great offers at the moment but I am not going in.
http://glossy-beauty.blogspot.com/
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WOW thats a lot!!!
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zoe i have hair VERY similar to yours and love to just WASH and WEAR, however a lot of products just seem to make my hair look like a birds nest. What are you wearing in your hair to make it look soft, yet beachy and not too made up?
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Does anyone know if YSL touche eclat pen that u click thingy is an illuminator?
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It is, though its generally recommended for illuminating (and thereby camouflaging) dark under-eye circles. However, I’m sure you could get away with using a cult product like that for just about anything!
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Hi Zoe
I have a liquid illuminator by Chanel I am now keen to start using again, but I have only ever used powder bronzers.. can you reccomend some good liquid ones so that I can adhere to the liquid-liquid rule?!
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I use the Revlon Age Defying Spa and really like the texture and staying power.
Had a beauty fail today, though: applied winged liner to both eyes, and eight hours later, the left side was completely gone and the right looked freshly applied. OOPS. How did that happen? Must not rub eyes.
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I wish these videos were shot with a better camera. I love Zoe’s posts and it would be great to be able to see what she’s doing more clearly.
My favourite illuminators right now are Nars Albatross and Benefit Moonbeam.
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OK lovely people- I bought some Rosehip Oil… and I bought a serum. Which do I use when? I wrote them down after reading Amazing Face and now cannot find where it says how to apply them.
Do the Rosehip then the serum?
Rosehip daytime/serum nighttime?
You fool you bought Rosehip and Serum and they do the same job?
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I use rose hip oil morning and night in the place of a serum, works a treat! If you have both products though rosehip in the morning and the serum at night would be the way to go
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Thank you so much! I was feeling a bit perplexed about it!
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Hi! Just wondering of you know the rule for serums and sunscreens? What goes first?
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Rosehip is a type of serum BUT not all serums are created equal, so different ingredients work against different problems. What is the other serum that you have, if I may ask? I would use the rosehip under your day moisturiser and the other serum under your night cream, or vice versa, as you dont need to layer on your face two serums at once. P.s Rosehip is very hydrating and repairs and soothes the skin, so depending on what your other serum is maybe thats better to use at night? Hopefully that makes sense!
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The serum is Olay Regenerist.
I will go with rosehip daytime and serum nighttime unless you think the Olay is not right?
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Emma — layer your water-based products UNDERNEATH oil-based! It is only logical; if you put an oil on first, it will create a barrier and prevent penetration of anything water-based. So don’t waste your serum. Put it on first, allow it to sink in (give it a couple of minutes) and then apply your moisturiser or rosehip over the top.
PS – I’m assuming your serum is water based. Most are.
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Great vid! I didn’t really know how to use illuminator, I bought a liquid from sportsgirl, is it as good as the ones you listed?
Also your teeth look amazing, do you get them whitened?
P.s. Congratulations on your engagement
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She does get them whitened – She mentioned it in.. maybe.. the brozer video? (memory may not be serving me correctly about which vid it was though)
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arg the music is so annoying.
Zoe – no fair doing an illuminator post when your natural glow is probably at a high right now.
Would you please consider doing posts on:
organic/natural skincare and what the hell mineral makeup is
light therapies – what the different types are, how much they cost and how to choose a good practioner
thanks!!
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Oh Zoe, what a help you are to someone as clueless as me! I have had a little pot of pearlescent illuminator in my make up case for some time that I was given by my brothers gf. I have always looked at it, and occasionally dabbled with it – with not so great results (You’re a nong with a curling iron – that’s me with make-up!) Thank you, thank you, thank you for showing us how to do it properly!
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Erm, is it me or is there a fake Zoe Foster on here, as well as the always fabulous real one?
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Was that Zoe? I thought it was Heather Locklear. Good on Zoe for always playing around with her hair colour etc. Wish I had the guts.
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No it’s definitely me! But replying from my iPhone (that is, not signed in and with avatar.)
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We’ll have to take your word for it.
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I just bought an illuminator yesterday! How convenient! I was on a bit of a budget and I ended up finding a Face of Australia illuminator for $14.50 in K-Mart. It is really good at giving the ‘glow’ and also came in 4 different shades to suit each skin tone and purpose of use which I thought was pretty cool. It’s a pretty big tube so lots of bang for the buck… which we love!
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Thanks Zoe.
I am trialing Girl Meets Pearl (benefit) at present.
Should I avoid transluscent powder on top of illuminators?
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Zoe we need more info on the hair…..colour? How did you change so drastically from brunette? My hairdresser says no to me! Details please!
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Yeah me too!!! I want to go blonde but am a fair skinned brunette.. hairdressers won’t have a bar of it
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Which shampoo and conditioner do you use?
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See below my fair crumpets, I answered hair colour question in earlier comments…
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Zoe, I love, love, love all your vid’s and your lighter hair.
Although, pretty please start the campaign to get a new intro (or scrap it all together) the colours and music are soooo daggy!
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Love Illuminator – IMO benefit do the best ones, obsessed with Girl Meets Pearl and Watts Up… I wear it pretty much every day, gives my pale skin a ‘lift’ especially after a late night
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Will we need to wait for a mag deal to see the rock and hear the story zoe
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Yes! There will be an upcoming eight-page story in Angler’s Monthly.
(You’ve got me. There won’t be any such thing. Truth is I don’t have it yet BUT GREAT GOLDEN GUMBOOTS IT’S NOT FAR OFF NOW!! and once I have it you will see it in my videos, because I will be extremely thrilled with it and waving it around like a copper with a torch looking for crims in an abandoned warehouse.)
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Nice little analogy there Zoe. Looking fab as always. Thanks for the tips.
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Great Vid! May I ask what the actual name of the Becca product you suggest? Cheers!
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I think it was the shimmering skin perfectors- I use them and they’re great (as most of the Becca range is)!
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Thank!
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LOVEEE illuminator got onto it late last year and now it is my beauty staple EVERYDAY! Oh I would suggest that if you are more tanned, olive or brown go for benefit’s “WATTS UP” – SUPER easy to apply and it’s more gold based than moonbeam which is silvery.
X
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I must say, as someone who lovesssssssssss make up, I am starting to feel a litttttttttttle overwhelmed with all of Zoe’s recommendations.
Currently, I wear (and it goes on in this order) primer, eye liner, eyeshadow, mascara, foundation, concealer, powder over the t zone, bronzer and then blush. I feel like I need to add more and fill in my eyebrows and now do illuminator! Losing the powder isn’t an option for me either – super oily but sensitive pale skin!
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As a fellow make-up lover I can see what you mean but I think it’s best to pick and choose what products/routines you take on. I’m now making an effort to fill in my brows each day as I could see a noticeable and positive difference in both Zoe’s vid and on myself. The illuminiser tips were great and I’ll add the ‘boomerang’ when I want a a bit more glow or something more special, but not use it as part of my everyday routine.
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Lol. My routine is primer, concealer (finding a concealer shade that matches my foundation has proved impossible so I wear it underneath foundation), foundation, undereye concealer, Benefit Powderflage, eyelid primer, eyeshadow (usually about 4 or 5), white eyeliner, black gel eyeliner, brow wax and powder, Make Up Forever HD microfinishing powder, sometimes a little loose powder, contouring product (NOT bronzer), blush, illuminator on cheekbones, temples, under brow and in cupids bow, lipliner and lipstick or lipgloss. Oh, and a spritz of Mac Fix+.
I’m so used to doing it the only times it takes me more than 15 mins is when I can’t decide what blush or eyeshadow to use.
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You sound like the girl to ask… can you recommend a contouring product?
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I’m pale, so I use Burberry Light Glow Blush in Earthly (ignore that it’s called a blush, even Burberry advises using it as a contouring product).
Nars Blush in Douceur is basically a blush and contouring product in one, and is really effective but still subtle (no chance of zebra stripes on your cheekbones).
If you’re a bit of a novice, the most foolproof way to contour is to use a powder 1-3 shades darker than your regular shade, and just use it where you want to contour. Just make sure it’s not too orangey, you want a neutral shade.
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HELP!! I have been a massive fan of Revlon Skinlights in Peach for years… BUT went to go buy a new one last month and discovered it’s been discontinued!!! Oh no!! I am lost without it. Can Zoe or anyone recommend something as good? I’ve tried benefits girl meets pearl but just not the same
not ‘dewy’ enough sadly…
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I’ve also been using Skinlights for years. It’s divine and i love the smell. BUMMER!
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oh I know!!!! I went on a hunt a few months ago and couldn’t find a single tube anywhere
the new revlon skinspa ones (the one that zoe holds up at the start) are pretty close tho!
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Hey Zoe! so this might be a stupid question… But can you wear under-eye illumantor at the same time as this illuminator? And can the same product double up?
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I love that Zoe said nong.
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Looks gorgeous! I always thought of illuminator as a ‘top layer’ product – one of the last things you put on your base, but if you use a powder bronzer do you put the illuminator on first?
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It is a Top Layer, Final Touch prod, yes… If you use powder bronzer, still do your illuminator last, but be sure to use a powder one. Liquids and cremes with liquids and cremes; powders with powders.
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I have always wondered how Cate got that look! I have been trying to emulate it with Mac’s Mineralized Skinfinish, but I find it a bit sparkly rather than glowy, so I’m now I have seen this I’m extra keen to try another type. I do a liquid foundation, then finish with a dusting of translucent powder (oily skin)- if I used a liquid illuminator would it go on between the foundation and loose powder then?
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I can’t wear makeup but I watch Zoe’s tutorials anyway! Zoe is so beautiful, and rhe way she talks about makeup is quite interesting.
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oh yay…i have the revlon product that you used and have had no idea what to do with it. fantastic. thank you.
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Goodness me, your hair is fabulous Zoe!
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Yes i must say, the hair looks fab Zoe! Great tutorial as always. Thank you muchly.
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Zoe I must say that your hair is looking particularly fabulous in this vid!
As many of the other commenters have noted the blonde looks lovely on you but i’m more interested in the cut. Can you post a pic where we can see it better?
Your post on hair trends for 2012 made me feel all snippy snippy and I went from long layers to a collar bone length lob but i’m still not satisfied. I might go for your slightly shorter slightly choppier style if only I can get a good look at it!
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It started as an all one length cut, cut into a deep side part, which is how my cowlicks/part prefer to sit. But as it got a little longer, and I wanted to do centre parts again, Lili made the ends a bit shaggy (NO layers, just the ends chopped into a bit) so it was less bulky and more versatile.
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Hi Zoe (and everyone reading),
I noticed you were talking about applying the illuminator to the “boomerang” which includes the under-eye brow region. I am assuming you apply this before eyeshadow and after foundation/concealer? I wonder how that works because most of the eye shadow techniques I adopt have some light coverage up to the brow itself and if I did this after would erase the new fabulous work you’ve taught me to do.
Can you Pauline Hanson (please explain) that for me please?
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Great question. I do illuminator last, as it’s a Final Touches prod. So, after my eye shadow. However, I don’t usually have shadow up in that brow region, and if I do, it’s generally some kind of illuminating shade which means that half of the boomerang is already done.
Finally, most illuminators should be lightweight enough not to disturb any shadow work, but if you’re anxious, just do your cheekbones.
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I put illuminator on after my eyeshadow is done. Make sure you blend it well, and it should reflect light off your browbone. You only need a tiny little smidgen!
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I looove Benefit’s Watts Up (a stick type one) because I can put it in my bag and not be scared of messy leakages. Also, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks and Benefit High Beam. OH AND I love Moon Beam but when I was in NY in October the Benefit lady at the shop told me it’s going to be discontinued soon. So I bought two bottles. If you like it, go stock up!
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I use the MAC one and love it! gives you a healthy glow and i also sweep it across my collarbone if im wearing a low cut/strapless top
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MAC Mineralize? Gorgeous.
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Yep sorry MAC Mineralize
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Are you referring to the MAC Mineralize in ‘soft and gentle’? or which shade? Thanks.
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Hi Zoe, maybe this was covered somewhere else and I missed it, but just wondering where foundation is in all this? Is it already on, below the bronzer, blush, illuminator?
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Foundation first, before any other makeup…
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Well, after your eye makeup, isn’t it??
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Not going to lie. I spent that whole video trying to catch a glimpse of your new rock Zoe!! Might have to watch it again to take in the actual tutorial
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Zoe I think I saw you at Mr Wolf pizza in St Kilda the other night! I wanted to come and say ‘Hi’ and tell you that I love your work- but didn’t want to interrupt your conversation or look like a dorky fan. Great post again today
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Always say hi! Even if I am busy scoffing prizza.
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not gonna lie……i would probs hug you Zoe!
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I have a Clarins Illuminator that I barely ever use but after watching this I may give a bit more of a chance.. I found that using an illuminator after I first had a baby was essential to brighten my dull and tired skin from all those long awake nights.
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Yay! Thanks Zoe…after accidentally purchasing an ‘illuminator’ instead of a bronzer just the other day I can now actually use it rather than let it sit dormant!
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Zoe’s columns are so superficial (say compared to, I dunno, actual news or something)… and I freaking love them!
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we could do with the escapism considering the news is always so damn doom n gloom!
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i love them too.
although woudn’t say they were superficial. i love her non-uppity take on looking/feeling nicer….
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Genius, Zoe! I was always applying my highlighter where my blush should go, duhh! Can’t wait to try this out next time. Thanks!
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Great video thanks! I use the Yves St Laurent one mainly for an evening look in the way you describe and I also dab a tiny bit at the inner corner of my eyes – helps minimize that tired look after being at work all day then having to head out and feel glam! I might try illuminators for day time now also!
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Definitely going to buy some illuminator now!