One of the best things about going on vacation – aside from the good memories and Instagram shots – is the post-vacation glow you have once you return home. That bronzed, dewy complexion is always a good look on anyone and one of the best ways to show off your vacation to your friends. But even if you can't get away for a vacay anytime soon, you can still impart that post-vacation glow without stepping outside your house – with a little help from our favourite skincare and make-up products, of course. Added bonus: you won't have to expose yourself to a single UV ray. Follow these expert glow guidelines to give your skin that natural warmth and a whole lot of radiance.

Apply highlighter strategically.

Never underestimate the power of a strategically applied highlighter. Add a small amount of liquid or powder highlighter to the high planes of your face (upper cheek bones and bridge of the nose) before applying your liquid or cream foundation. If you want to go all the way, you can also apply highlighter to the rest of your body. Aim down the shin, across your collarbone, and down the centre of the arm for a sculpted sheen.

Hydrate with facial moisturisers and body glosses and balms.

You want to sport a summer glow in warmer months but not feel like you're wearing make-up. It's hard to look glowy with a cakey face, so experts all agree that good skincare and hydration is key. The hero ingredient for brightening is vitamin C, so look for facial moisturisers and face masks that are chock-full of it. A vitamin C glow cream can be a brightening powerhouse for you loaded with antioxidants that target dullness directly.

If you need a bit of coverage, opt for a bit of spot concealer instead of layering foundation over your hard work. Pick a concealer that is infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and caffeine to de-puff your undereyes, perfect for that 'I woke up like this' look.

For your body, one-up your typical body moisturiser with body oils, balms, and glosses that create a decadent, glass-like glow. Unlike lotion, glosses actually give skin a light sheen, and some formulas even contain a little bit of mica powder or body glitter.

A bit of self-tanner or bronzing water can do wonders.

Contrary to popular belief, a good self-tanner won't leave you looking streaky or with Cheeto-coloured skin. The best self-tans are the ones where you can't tell it's not from the sun. Patch-test an area first if you're ever in doubt. Use a self-tanner specifically developed for the face that contains skincare benefits and develops into the perfect glow that's tailored for you. If you don't have a separate self-tanner for the face, you can also add a few drops of body self-tanner to your favourite moisturiser or night cream. Mix together in the well of your hand (you can apply using a make-up brush or sponge if you prefer) and apply directly to the face, making sure all areas of the face and neck have been covered. Apply just before you go to bed to wake up with a fully developed glow come morning.

Contour your face with a foundation that is three shades darker than your skin tone.

This will give the illusion of a tan without making the skin look muddy. Once you apply the foundation, use a bronzing powder or a face powder that is three shades darker on top of the areas that you contoured. This can even be done on the body where you are showing some skin. Dust the bronzer under the jawline as well for some definition.

Steps to Achieve Glowing Skin
First, lightly exfoliate.

Exfoliation is a quick fix to curing skin that just looks a little blah. Layers of dead skin is what makes your face appear dull, so you'll want to lightly exfoliate every few days to maintain a bright complexion. Give yourself a mini peel, which is essential for when you don't have access to in-office treatments. Apply two to three drops of a good hydrating serum and massage into your skin. The ingredients, which should include glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, are great for all skin types to slough off dead cells and reveal fresh skin.