The ‘Just Back from Vacation’ Look: How to Get That Sunkissed Glow
Image via @dananozime
Craving that sun-kissed, just-back-from-vacation glow while winter lingers? These radiant beauty essentials will bring the warmth of spring to your skin—no passport required.
That first hint of sunshine after a long winter always feels like a promise — longer days, warmer air, and the return of glowing, sun-kissed skin. But if spring still feels out of reach, you don’t have to wait for the seasons to change to bring that post-vacation radiance into your routine. With the right products, you can warm up your complexion, add a golden touch to your skin, and fake that fresh-from-the-beach glow — no flight required.
A truly luminous look starts with hydration. MERIT’s Instant Glow Serum is like a tall drink of water for your skin, instantly plumping and reviving dull winter complexions. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, it leaves behind the kind of dewy finish that makes you look well-rested and naturally radiant—like you just spent a week basking in the sun.
To bring some warmth back into your skin, Typology Paris Bronzing Drops are a game-changer. Infused with vitamin E and apricot extract, they blend seamlessly into your skincare, delivering an effortless golden glow that looks completely natural. Just a few drops after your moisturizer and before makeup create that perfect “spent the weekend outdoors” radiance, no sun exposure necessary.
For added depth and dimension, bronzer is your best friend. Kjaer Weis Cream Bronzer melts into the skin, sculpting and warming up your features with a sheer, blendable finish that mimics the way the sun naturally hits your face. To set the cream bronzer, Sisley Paris Phyto-Touche Illusion D’Été Bronzer delivers a velvety, golden hue that never looks chalky — just pure, effortless warmth.
Of course, a true vacation glow isn’t just about the face. To make sure your skin looks soft, smooth, and radiant all over, start with deep hydration. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Golden Hour is the perfect winter-to-spring transition, drenching skin in rich moisture while leaving behind a warm, sensual scent of amber, white musk, and santal. It’s the kind of body care that makes you want to slip into something sleeveless, even if the weather isn’t quite there yet.
To finish, a touch of shimmer goes a long way. NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Shimmer Multi-Purpose Dry Oil is like bottled sunshine, with fine golden flecks suspended in a nourishing blend of seven botanical oils. A few drops on the collarbones, shoulders, and legs create that glistening, sunlit effect — because even if spring isn’t officially here, there’s no reason you can’t start glowing like it is.
So while we wait for the days to stretch longer and the air to turn warmer, consider this your shortcut to that just-back-from-vacation radiance. Who says you need the sun to glow?