Glass skin: the make-up artist’s guide to dewy skin

We have so much to thank Korean beauty for. From sheet masks to double cleansing to cushion foundations, K-Beauty has raised the bar and brought us viral trend after viral trend – the current of which is glass skin.

“Glow” is the beauty buzzword of 2018, and every brand from MAC to Charlotte Tilbury to Chanel has released new products including the word. At glow’s peak is glass skin – the dewiest, most translucent, luminous, almost- damp-looking skin you’ve ever seen, spotted everywhere this AW18, from Richard Malone to Ellery and Erdem.
If you’re a Glossier girl (read: good skin, likes to look a bit wet), this one’s for you.

Catrice Cosmetics Light Correcting Serum Primer, €4.95

The glass skin trend began when make-up artist Ellie Choi’s Instagram selfie went viral and she put it down to a dedicated, elaborate K-Beauty skincare ritual. At the heart of the trend is an even-toned canvas of skin that is plumped with hydration. Shifting dead skin cells with AHAs and layering hyaluronic acid on will plump your skin up and make it look as juicy as a pomegranate seed, but how to make the glassy glow shine through your make-up?

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops, €35

“Although it starts with skincare, we can cheat that beautiful healthy sheen by using liquid highlights in the correct places to achieve the most natural glassy glow,” says make-up artist Mary Ellen Darby. “The key is to use products that shine rather than shimmer,” according to make-up artist Aisling Kelly. “The best glass skin creates a subtle light reflection. Use small amounts of hydrating products in light layers during make-up application. My favourite technique is spraying a beauty blender with The Body Shop’s Rose Dewy Glow Face Mist, €9.95, and bouncing that over my foundation and concealer before setting with a small amount of powder in the T-zone only.”

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter, €40

To ensure your glow applies evenly, “use your fingers to gently press in liquid highlighters,” advises Darby. “Apply to the tops of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, to the brow bone and Cupid’s bow. Apply a little on the forehead, just above the outer third of the brow up to the hairline.” Sparkle won’t do rosacea or acne sufferers any favours, so ditch the glitter and stick with liquid highlighters. If you’re dry- skinned, “tap a small amount of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream onto the high points of your face,” says Kelly. For oily skin, “remove excess oil with blotting paper and use a sponge to lightly press powder onto the forehead, nose, upper lip, and chin – leaving the rest of the face to shine.”

For more beauty features, check out the November issue of IMAGE Magazine, on shelves nationwide now.