Exfoliating is only half the battle when it comes to skincare prep; moisturizing is equally as important. "Hydration is the key to perfect skin," explains Vargas. "Without proper hydration, the skin looks dull and dead." She recommends using a moisturizer with rich jojoba and avocado oils (try Juice Beauty Antioxidant Moisturizer, $39). Or, opt for a serum with hyaluronic acid, a powerhouse hydrating ingredient that draws water to the skin, leaving it immediately plumper and smoother. We like Neutrogena Hydroboost Hydrating Serum, $19.99. Not only will your skin look and feel better, you'll also now have the perfect canvas on which to apply makeup. More on that next...

A good primer is a staple for upping the longevity of your makeup, and when the goal is glowing skin, it's also a great way to impart more radiance. New York City-based makeup artist and beauty expert Neil Scibelli recommends using one with a slightly luminescent finish. "Rather than piling on lots of highlighter as the final step in your makeup routine, start building that glow from the beginning," he says. "The luminescence from the primer will peek through the rest of your makeup." Our pick: No7 Airbrush Away Radiance Boosting Primer, $19.99. FYI, if your skin tends to get greasy, pick a formula that contains dimethicone, which will help absorb some of that excess oil, he adds.

A lightweight, liquid option with a radiant or luminous finish is the ace of base in this situation, since heavier creams and powders will come across as too matte. Scibelli uses Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, $64. Applying it with a slightly damp makeup sponge or BeautyBlender will also help you achieve that sheer, dewy effect. But if you're getting ready for your own red carpet moment (i.e. will be photographed a lot), you may want to mix a few drops of that luminous foundation with an HD formula, like Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $43. Specially made for photography and TV, combining the two will ensure that the camera flash doesn't make your skin appear overly shiny, notes Scibelli.

It's a must for sun-kissed, glowy skin, but when it comes to bronzer, now's the time to avoid shimmer and go matte. "You want to be able to build-up the color from the bronzer, not necessarily the extra shimmer," Scibelli points out. He recommends the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer, $28. Plus, sparkly bronzers can often appear unnatural, drawing more attention to the makeup itself, rather than your radiant skin. Dust it on with a big, fluffy brush, focusing on where the sun would naturally hit your face: your temples, cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.

While your skin should look radiant already, a highlighter or luminizer is the final step that will amp up the glow factor. Scibelli recommends using a cream formula, which melts seamlessly into skin for a lit-from-within vibe. When it comes to shade selection, as a general rule, warmer, champagne tones look more natural then cool, silver hues, he says. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Creme Highlighter in Champagne Pop, $38, is one universally-flattering option. Since you want the overall effect to be dewy and fresh, not greasy or overly shiny, "apply the highlighter only around the perimeter of your face, avoiding the center where skin is naturally oilier," he says. That means dabbing it on your cheekbones, brow bones and the top of the bridge of your nose, but avoiding the middle of your forehead and chin.