This time last year, I was cutting open an empty tube to squeeze out the dregs of Glow Maximiser, Dior’s fantastic, discontinued, brightening primer that proved tragically ahead of its time. This year begins more cheerily, with an excellent dupe from an unexpected source. Launching later this month, Clarins’ SOS To Boost Radiance (30ml) is the standout winner in a new range of six oil-free, colour- and skin-correcting primers (Clarins’ previous primer offering? One slightly crude silicone balm in a pot, so it was high time for a rethink). It strokes on smoothly without bobbling and peeling, and gives skin tones up to mid-brown a blurring, ethereal sort of glow without looking ghostly; for deeper tones, I love Mac’s Prep & Prime Natural Radiance Primer in Radiant Yellow (£30 for 50ml).

The Clarins is designed to go under foundation, certainly, but I’m a huge fan of primers worn alone, with a little concealer dotted over the top. It’s exactly the sort of look I want at this time of year, when I’ve eaten too much cheese, have spent too much time indoors, and grown weary of festive glitter and heavy colour, and would like a lighter, fresher look for the seasonal shift. If you like the idea of a radiant finish, but are wedded to your current primer and foundation, the answer lies in Lancôme’s new Custom Glow Drops (£26 for 15ml), in four shades for all skin tones, which launches this month. Lancôme aren’t the innovators here – several brands already make little bottles of glowy drops to be mixed into foundation or moisturiser to add healthy-looking glow – but these are, I think, the most user-friendly so far, mixing well with all the skincare and makeup I tried, then blending smoothly and prettily on the skin without any of the chalkiness common in high-concentration liquid pigments. I find two drops about right for a full face of glow without glitz.

If the idea of any shimmer or sparkle immediately turns you off (and I know there are a great many of you out there), get instant, glimmer-free glow from Nars’ superlative Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF30 (£29.50 for 50ml). Way more than a mere skin tint, it has great coverage, a rich yet oil-free texture, superior sun protection, and it can be slapped on with near-zero skill. It’s still unfailingly the first thing I grab when drab.