This $18 Skincare Gem Can Be Used 3 Different Ways to Create an Effortless Glow

In the beauty industry, there's no shortage of products across the makeup and skincare categories that promise to give you glowing skin. As a beauty writer, I've tried the vast majority of them—from dewy foundations, highlighters, and self-tanners to cleansers, serums, exfoliators, and beyond. Throughout my years of testing these glow-giving products, I've learned something. That is, I want the instant gratification I get from makeup products, and I also want long-term benefits from skincare products (in other words, I want to have my cake and eat it, too). That's why I gravitate towards products that combine skincare and makeup elements into a single hybrid formula. 

I keep a variety of these hybrid products in my beauty collection, and each one is noteworthy. However, I have to admit that I'm most excited about the newest addition. It's an innovative product that's one part serum, one part highlighter, and one part mixing medium. Since it doesn't sit squarely in a single category, it's incredibly versatile (I use it in 3 different ways). I've only been using it for a couple of weeks, but I'm officially hooked, thanks to the effortless glow it creates. Keep scrolling to read my full review.  

The second star ingredient is blackberry extract, which is an enzyme that provides antioxidant protection along with gentle exfoliation. Both the polyglutamic acid and blackberry extract work in tandem in this liquid formula to offer long-term skin benefits, which is why, at first glance, this product could be considered something of a serum. 

However, when you take into account the superfine, light-reflecting pigments it contains, it could also be considered an illuminating skin tint. You can also use it on top of your normal skincare products on the high points of your face, which means it could also be considered a traditional highlighter. But then there's the fact that you can mix it into your moisturizer or foundation, so it's kind of an illuminating mixing medium, too. Like I said before, it doesn't sit squarely in any single category. 

Method #1: Smooth All Over Skin as an Illuminating Skin Tint

My daily makeup aesthetic is minimal, and I love a good no-makeup makeup look. So, the first way I decided to use this product was as a sheer, illuminating skin tint. I started with my standard skincare routine—cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen—then dispensed about 3 drops of the Sheer Golden shade into my palms and smoothed it all over my skin (I followed up with a few quick dabs of a damp beauty sponge to ensure it was blended evenly). 

The result was a super natural-looking radiance. Sure, you could still see redness and hyperpigmentation poking through, but I didn't expect it (or even want it) to cover that up. It was more about blurring the look of my skin and adding a subtle illumination.

Method #2: Apply to the High Points of the Face as Highlighter

The next day, I decided to use it as I would a traditional highlighter. I applied my makeup as I would normally, which involves the pretty minimalist use of concealer, some bronzer, and mascara, and applied the product to the high points of my face. I concentrated on my cheekbones since that's where I wanted the majority of the glow, but I also added a dab to the bridge and the tip of my nose, my cupid's bow, and even a bit in the inner corners of my eyes. I went over those areas with a damp beauty sponge to make sure it was all blended in.

Again, I was happy with the subtly radiant result. I thought my skin looked healthy and dewy, and I didn't see streaks of blinding highlighter on my skin like I do when I use some powder formulas (I don't know about you, but I'm over the intense highlighter trend of yesteryear). My skin looked even better when I ventured out into the sun, as the light reflected off the golden pigment particles nicely. 

Method #3: Mix It Into Foundation Makeup

The third and final way I used the glow drops was by mixing them into my foundation before applying them all over my skin with a damp beauty sponge. This time, instead of just using the Sheer Golden shade, I used the Sheer Bronze shade, too. I simply dispensed a pump of my foundation on the back of my hand, then added a drop of each shade into it, before mixing it up and dabbing it on my skin. 

I think this was my favorite way to use the product since the coverage from the foundation and the glow from the drops worked in tandem to smooth and illuminate my complexion. A touch of mascara and a swipe of lip balm was all I added before heading out the door and getting on with my day. It was a minimal makeup success. 

10 Other Glow-Giving Versed Products to Try

Next, see the best drugstore skincare products, according to dermatologists.