I Got My Sun-Kissed Glow From Ole Henriksen's New Moisturizer

My skin-care and makeup routines are geared toward making my skin look as glowy (and healthy) as possible. From layering serums so my skin looks like a glazed doughnut to ultra-dewy primers, I'm open to trying just about anything. So, when I heard that Ole Henriksen was adding a brightening vitamin C moisturizer to its cult-favorite Truth Collection, I was immediately intrigued.

Riva Barak, the VP of product and technical development for Kendo Brands (Ole Henriksen's parent company) explained that the moisturizer builds on all the best qualities of the popular Banana Bright+ Eye Crème and acts as a base "for flawless makeup application." Inspired by the warm glow of the sun, the new Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer ($52) is said to instantly hydrate and illuminate the skin. With that in mind, I knew I had to try it — and officially kick off my sun-drenched skin-care era.

Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer

From

$52

$52 at Ulta

Keep reading for my honest review of the newly launched Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer, and learn how I used it to create the perfect base for a glowy makeup look.

When I first used the Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer, I noticed how rich the consistency was. Despite that, the face cream felt surprisingly lightweight on my skin. The moisturizer's hero ingredient is vitamin C, which is known for its brightening properties, and right away it delivered on that dewy, luminous skin look. This was probably as close as I'd ever get to shining vampire skin à la Twilight. My skin felt hydrated, soft, and supple, and I was pleased with the appearance of my skin with just the moisturizer on it.

After testing the Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer on its own, I used it as the base for my makeup. I skipped my usual primer and dove right into my foundation; it went on smoothly with no dry patches in sight. My foundation has a natural finish, but the glow of the moisturizer was still able to shine through. Overall, I was impressed by how much brighter my skin looked — even underneath a layer of foundation, blush, and a setting powder.

I use this as my daytime moisturizer since I usually apply all my vitamin C products in the morning. The brand recommends applying the moisturizer to your face and neck and following with an eye cream and SPF. For optimal makeup application, it also suggests mixing the Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer with your foundation for an extra-dewy glow or applying a small amount to highlight your cheek and brow bones.

The moisturizer leaves a more luminous finish on the skin, so that's something to consider if you prefer a more matte makeup look.

This moisturizer is perfect for anyone who wants to instantly brighten and hydrate their skin. If you're looking for a product that immediately preps your skin for smooth makeup application and works to improve your complexion at the same time, the Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer covers all those bases. And though it's designed for all skin types, "it is best suited for those with combination, normal, and dry skin," says Barak.

The Banana Bright+ Instant Glow Moisturizer is now available to shop at Ulta Beauty and OleHenriksen.com.

★★★★★

Alida Araica is a newsletter manager at POPSUGAR, where she oversees and executes editorial and client email strategy and production. Occasionally, she lends her expertise to writing product reviews. Alida has over five years of marketing experience in digital media.