How to Brighten Sallow Skin

If your facial skin has yellow undertones (sallow or olive) and looks a bit dull, there are long-term methods to boost its radiance, and a couple of tricks that work wonders instantly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lavender primer or corrector
• Neutral blush or bronzer
• Bright-toned sheer blush

Long-Term Results

1. Start weekly use of a good at-home alpha-beta hydroxy acid peel to remove dullness caused by layers of dead skin.

2. Use a moisturizer or anti-oxidant serum with at least 10 percent vitamin C. Or buy booster tubes of Vitamin C powder to add to your moisturizer. Vitamin C is a good brightener for sallow skin.

3. Massage your face gently each day with a washcloth or your fingers to encourage blood flow and a naturally bright color.

For Instant Gratification

4. Mix a lavender-based liquid concealer/primer, like the one offered by Smashbox, in the palm of your hand with your usual liquid or cream foundation. Apply foundation as usual.

5. Brush on a lavender mineral powder corrector all over as a first step if you wear mineral powder foundation. Several online mineral make-up companies offer this product.

6. Apply a natural-tone blush or a bit of bronzer under your cheekbones and up toward your hairline.

7. Layer a livelier color, like a sheer red, on the apples of your cheeks only to brighten your whole face.

Tips & Warnings

• Lavender is opposite to yellow on the color wheel and can give sallow complexions a healthy glow and brighten up dull olive tones.
• Warming liquid primer in your hand for a moment makes it easier to mix.
• In addition to normalizing sallow skin, lavender correctors/concealers can help hide yellow bruises, seriously dark under-eye circles and dark spots on bronze skin.
• You can apply a liquid primer to your entire face first and then apply liquid foundation over it, but it’s tough to pat the foundation on gently enough not to disturb the concealer.