Makeup Artist Confessions: 4 Steps to Luminous Skin

By
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould
Hallie Gould is Byrdie's senior editorial director. She has a decade's worth of experience as a writer and editor, and her bylines can be found in such publications as ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle.
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Updated on May 10, 2021
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Kira Nasrat - Luminous Silk

We’re always after luminous, even, healthy-looking skin. And makeup can help. That said, there’s a few tricks of the trade that can get you there easier and more often. The formulas to use, ingredients to look for, application techniques to learn—the works. So, we did what any curious beauty devotee would do: We asked a makeup artist.

Below, celebrity makeup artist Kira Nasrat breaks down the four most important steps to achieving happ skin and subsequently long-lasting, glowing makeup. Plus, she’s offering up her favorite products to use as well. Keep scrolling for the makeup tips that’ll help with your everyday makeup.

Meet the Expert

Kira Nasrat is an LA-based celebrity makeup artist who often works with actors for press junkets, photoshoots and on the red carpet. Her clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Margot Robbie, Anya Taylor Joy, Marina de Tavira, Jamie Chung, Chloe Bennet, Pom Klemintieff, Camila Alves, Bebe Rexha, Kiki Lane, Natalia Dyer, Lea Michelle, Ashley Benson, Erin Mororiaty, Alisha Boe and more.

Because I’ve worked with so many different types of skin and faces, my experience allows me to experiment with a range of skincare and beauty products.

Step 1: Always Prep Your Skin

“Prepping the skin is key,” Nasrat explains. She recommends making sure your skin is properly exfoliated (think: no flakes and that ever-coveted glow) and moisturized before applying any makeup. “Hydrated skin is healthy-looking skin,” she says, listing a gentle exfoliator, moisturizer and/or face oil, and sunscreen as her go-to routine before applying makeup. “I love layering skincare!” she says.


Step 2: Prime

“After prepping the skin, I’m ready to prime,” Nasrat explains. She prefers a luminous finish, "I love the extra glow factor.” To achieve this, she uses Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer.


Step 3: Use Foundation That Looks (and Feels) Like Skin

Kira's Luminous Silk Image

“This is crucial,” Nasrat explains, “as choosing the right foundation can make or break this look.” Nasrat always opts for Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation for that reason, as it keeps her skin looking even with the right amount of coverage, while still offering up a natural, luminous finish. “One pump for your face and neck is all you need,” Nasrat recommends. “Use a damp beauty blender and bounce the sponge gently onto your skin.” Her pro tip? Always do your nose last.

Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation $64.00
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Step 4: Highlight

“Now that the skin is luminous,” Nasrat explains, “enhance the cheekbones and other high planes of the face with a cream highlighter.” Nasrat recommends using a creamy texture, like Armani Beauty’s Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer, as it ends up looking far more natural than powder highlighters. You can apply it with your Beautyblender, a brush, or really warm it to your skin by blending with your fingertips.

Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation is available at Sephora and Nordstrom stores everywhere, and on GiorgioArmaniBeauty.com.