Kathrin Makowski / BLAUBLUT EDITION
A beach vacation is good for the soul. And if you happen to spend said beach vacation on the French Caribbean island of St. Barth's, it shows: Your eyes are sparkling bright. Your hair is breezy with salt-touched texture. And your skin has that special lit-from-within glow that only comes when you’ve let yourself be pulled fully into the moment. But it is possible (albeit less fun) to approximate the vibe without buying a plane ticket. Here, how I re-create the just-back-from-St. Barth’s look at home.
(If you do want to take the plane ticket approach—and I recommend it—scroll down for my mini guide to the island.)
How to Approximate the St. Barth’s Glow
Exfoliate
I’m an exfoliation freak—it’s my secret trick that I use one or two times a week to leave my skin feeling fresh, soft, and smooth. Sloughing away oil, dirt, dead skin cells, and more acts as a primer step, so everything that follows—cream, self-tan, shimmer, the works—looks a million times better.
Drench Skin in Moisture
There's nothing that instantly improves the look of your skin quite like a surge of moisture. Whether you prefer oil, serum, or lotion, it instantly leaves skin plump, supple, any hydrating, helping to smooth, soften, and blur the appearance of any imperfections. To really give your skin that sunlit glow, use this popular red-carpet trick I've learned over the years: Mix a little of your favorite body lotion with highlighter to give it a luminizing effect. You can also do the cheat’s version and opt for something already gleamy, like this shimmer body oil—it mimics the effects of the sun reflecting off your skin.
Build Warm, Even Color with a No-Fuss Self-Tan
This is quite possibly the easiest and most foolproof self-tan on the planet—it's impossible to mess up. The foamy, hydrating mousse melts into skin, leaving a warm, even sun-kissed color from head to toe. The brush is key—it buffs and blends softly without leaving streaks or an orange tint behind. For the face, a spritz of this tanning water goes a long way toward building the same seamless glow. And if you want to really streamline, this moisturizer does double duty, moisturizing skin while leaving the most gradual, natural-looking tan.
Create Natural Warmth with Bronzer and Blush
Layering bronzer and blush works magic for a healthy, summery flush. If you want an allover wash of toasty warmth, opt for a liquid style bronzer like this gel or tinted serum. It's easy to buff and blend, especially with your fingers—zero makeup skill required. For a more precise, chiseled effect, dust powder bronzer over cheekbones, going all the way up to your temple (and don't forget to blend!) to add soft shadows and depth.
For blush, layering it over bronzer makes the color look more natural, enhancing the pink undertones of your skin. Cream blush adds a subtle sheen, while powder creates a more diffused, matte effect. Whichever you choose, placement is key to mimicking the flush you get from lingering in the sun. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and across your nose, then blend upward at an angle for a soft, lifting effect.
Add Dimension and Sheen
A dab of highlighter is brilliant for bringing more light to areas like the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin, inner corner of the eyes, and Cupid’s bow. It adds dewy definition and the best glint-of-shimmer glow—one swipe brightens up your face and makes the area pop like you've been glistening by the pool all day (no sweating required).
Air-Dry for Tousled, Beachy Waves
Hair never looks better than the voluminous, textured, tousled waves that come from the swell of humidity and salty sea air. Maybe it's the air-dry, or maybe it's just that we blissfully give up trying to tame and tamp it down, but either way, it's incredible. At home, I brush my hair in the shower to detangle any knots and then squeeze out excess moisture. While it's still damp, I layer this mousse and leave-in conditioner for silky smooth, yet beautifully textured waves. If I need extra oomph, I bring in the big guns—a nondrying salt spray.
A Mini Guide to St. Barth’s
There's something that happens the second you step off the plane from St. Barth's—your shoulders relax, your sense of time lapses, and you instantly feel lighter. There’s incredible food, shops, parties, hikes, and more to fill up your day. Here, a few of the spots you can’t miss.
Tip: Most flights to Caribbean islands (like St. Barth's) require a connecting flight from a larger airport like San Juan. Book with Tradewind and you won't regret it. The service is top-notch, and they make it incredibly easy and seamless to get you to the final destination, sidestepping many normal airport headaches.
Le Toiny
Stay at the tucked-away, sparkling jewel of St. Barth's, Le Toiny, a sanctuary far from the typical party scene and noise. The suites are chicly beachy with private plunge pools, large soaking tubs, and cloudlike beds. The beach is super secluded—Land Rovers wait at reception to take you down the hillside so you don’t even have to lift a finger if you don't want to. Once down at the beach, you can spend all day there eating, swimming, drinking, and luxuriating. Book a beachside massage at the cottage upon arrival—the treatment combines lymphatic drainage with a sound bath, the perfect remedy after a day of air travel. And while it's supremely relaxing, you can still get your fair share of the vibrancy of the island: every Thursday night, Le Toiny throws a "Beach Extravaganza" with a dinner followed by live music, cocktails, dancing, and even fire dancers.
The on-site restaurant at Le Toiny draws patrons from across the island, beyond hotel guests. The food is exceptional—a blend of Japanese and Latin flavors—but you absolutely must order the black miso cod; I still think about it to this day.
From Michelin-star chef Assaf Granit, this chic dinner spot serves up Israeli-inspired dishes with a Caribbean twist. Try the mahi-mahi tartare and spiced sea bass fillet. Even if you aren’t a cocktail person, you might want to make an exception here—the bar manager, Jimmy Cassar, turns each drink a full-on experience, complete with unique vessels and playful flourishes.
If you want a dinner spot that never misses, make a reservation here. Everyone raves about the cool atmosphere, fantastic cocktails, ceviche, and gorgeous views.
It's impossible to have a bad lunch here—everything is excellent, but don't miss the variety of sorbet flavors for dessert, which happen to pair perfectly with an Aperol Spritz. It's super lively and fun, and steps from great shopping and Nikki Beach.
French pharmacist Natacha Bonjout recommended this hidden gem to me: It's a gorgeous tropical secret garden restaurant that's incredibly romantic and lit by candles—perfect for a date night.
At Gyp Sea, Creole-inspired cuisine meets a relaxed bohemian vibe, making it an ideal spot for sunset drinks or dinner.
St. Barth’s is known for their nightlife energy, but Le Ti is an extra special way to spend the evening out—they pair a dinner with a fantastic cabaret show.