Credit: Brands
Stylist Loves
What is glass skin and how to achieve it: best glossy products for face, eyes and lips
5 years ago
Glass skin is the K-beauty trend that is only going to get more popular in spring and summer. Here, we run through how to achieve it and the best products to use.
No doubt you’ve heard of glass skin and before we head into spring and summer, it’s only going to get more popular. But what exactly is it?
“Glass skin is a technique that can be achieved through make-up, skincare, or by marrying the two together,” says Charlotte Falber, senior pro make-up artist at MAC Cosmetics. “It’s fresh and glowy skin, with a gloss-type effect on the highest points of the face.”
The trend, which first cropped up in 2017, comes from Korea and is all about making your skin look healthy and luminous – to the point where it resembles a mirror.
Years later, the trend continues to remain hugely popular – dominating our Instagram feeds and TikTok scrolling sessions.
“It’s such a popular technique because it makes skin look natural and can hide textures on the skin that powders would usually pick up,” explains Falber. “It can give a real ethereal look to the skin, commonly used on catwalks, but has now filtered into everyday real life routines.”
However, despite its gorgeous finish and popularity, Falber says you should be mindful of product placement if you have oily skin.
“If you are oily, try to avoid any areas that your oils come through,” she says. “Glass skin is best achieved with cream products and oils can cause it to slip and slide around throughout the day.”
Here, we round up the best beauty products to help you achieve a glossy, glass skin-like finish.
Best beauty products to achieve glass skin
Medik8 Super C Ferulic Intense
The key to any glowy beauty look is your base – and we aren’t just talking about your foundation. Begin with your skincare products and opt for ingredients that are proven to deliver skin-brightening results, like vitamin C.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Glowy make-up products can slip and slide, thanks to their gel or oily textures. Prep your eyelids with an eyeshadow primer – we love Urban Decay’s Primer Potion – to help lock your products in place.
Shop Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion at lookfantastic, £19.50
Glossier Futuredew
One of the best products for glass-like skin, this serum is packed with non-greasy oils that nourish skin while giving you a natural-looking gleam.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
If you want to add some coverage to your look, pick up this gel-cream tinted moisturiser. Its glossy texture makes your complexion look healthy and fresh, while its subtle coverage evens out your skin tone.
Shop bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer at lookfantastic, £30
Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face Highlighter
Inspired by the glass skin trend, this gel formula merges the benefits of a highlighter and skincare into one. Choose from one of three shades and apply it all over for a glowy, radiant complexion. It can be used on eyes, too.
Shop Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face Highlighter at lookfantastic, £26
Becca Zero No Pigment Glass Highlighter For Face + Lip
If you like high-shine but hate signs of shimmer or sparkle, this is the highlighter for you. It uses special technology to difuse light across your complexion for a super dewy, glowy base. You can use it on lips, too.
Shop Becca Zero No Pigment Glass Highlighter For Face + Lip at lookfantastic, £18
Jillian Dempsey Dew Lid Tint
A favourite of make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes, who’s known for her gorgeous, glossy eye looks, this sheer eyeshadow makes eyelids appear wet – in a chic way. Wear it alone or over your eyeshadow.
MAC Clear Lipglass
MAC’s cult Lipglass delivers multi-dimension shine that doesn’t isn’t the slightest bit sticky. Plus, it contains jojoba oil to keep lips nourished.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss
If you prefer your wet-look lip with a slight tint, opt for this. It delivers high-shine gloss, feels comfortable on lips and comes in five shades, from clear to a gorgeous, glossy magenta.
Main image: courtesy of brands
Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.