Luminous cheekbones, iridescent lids and mirror-like shine on lids. Glossy makeup is trending, and the glow it bestows is taking dewy skin to new levels. In our endless quest to appear fresh, well-rested and radiant, gloss is transcending lips to adorn skin and eyes. But how do you go sheeny without looking shiny? Here’s what you need to know…
The birth of the glossy makeup trend
Glossy makeup isn’t just for lips. Since the early 2000s, glassy skin, cheeks and eyes have reigned supreme on the runway, while setting the beauty pages of magazines aglow. But this year, inspired by the glass skin trend, glossy textures have become even more covetable. “We haven’t seen this much gloss since those JLo videos from the early 2000s,” laughs international makeup artist Christabel Draffin, whose work has appeared on the pages of ELLE, L’Officiel and British Vogue. “I’ve had so many requests recently on editorial shoots for glossy skin,” she adds. “The reason it looks so good is that youthful skin naturally has a glow that radiates, and a glossy finish mimics this.” It’s no wonder, then, that glossy makeup has gone beyond the runway to become a real-life trend – one that bathes tired skin in thirst-quenching moisture and a luminous finish.
How to get glossy makeup
“The dewy, glossy skin trend allows you to go without so many other beauty steps because it makes you look so fresh and radiant from the outset,” says Elle McNamara, Instagram beauty blogger @bambidoesbeauty, who is known for her dewy skin. But, advises Draffin, “You don’t want to go as ‘gym-sheen’ full-on as on the runways, that’s not a great look for the office! So keep it subtle.” Follow these steps for glossy makeup that glows just right…
1. Exfoliate and hydrate your skin
Flawless makeup starts with good skincare. “Highlighters are amazing,” says Draffin, “but I always begin with a great exfoliant followed by a face serum.” You don’t need to scrub daily, but at least once per week, polish skin with WASO SATOCANE Pore Purifying Scrub Mask a detoxing clay treatment that suctions up dirt and blackheads. Then, treat pores with Treatment Softener Enriched in place of a toner, followed by Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. They’re each dewy but not shiny, so your skin appears facial-fresh and hydrated all day.
2. Apply a glow-bestowing primer
Next, prepare your skin with Revitalessence Skin Glow Primer. The illuminating lotion gives you instant glow and hydration, while a blend of Niacinamide and Fermented Kefir+ refines and brightens, for a visible improvement in skin after just one week*. A primer is essential for glossy makeup, as dewy textures tend to fade faster on the skin. So, apply it all over your face for a long-lasting canvas, paying extra attention to the cheeks for added glow.
3. Precisely place your concealer
The key to glossy makeup is thin, hyper-real layers that perfect but don’t cover up skin. That means applying coverage only where you feel you need it – usually under the eyes and on any blemishes. Target these areas with Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Concealer, using the wand for precise application. Then pat the liquid cover-up with your fingertips. The warmth of your skin helps it to blend in smoothly and seamlessly.4. Veil skin in a glowy foundation
A buildable base with a luminous finish is the most vital step in your glossy makeup look. Enter Revitalessence Skin Glow Foundation; a serum-like formula that blurs imperfections and veils skin in radiant hydration. With a boost of skincare ingredients, the luminous results last long after your makeup comes off, so you get glowy skin even when your face is bare. Start applying it from the centre of your face, then blend outwards with the warmth of your fingertips or a soft makeup sponge. Then, in areas where you feel you need it, lightly build up for an even base.
5. Gloss up your cheekbones
Enhance cheekbones with InnerGlow CheekPowder, then apply highlighter to your cheekbones, brow bones and Cupid’s bow – the areas of your face where the light naturally hits. Carefully dot a small amount of Future LX Replenishing Treatment Oil over the top using your fingertips. Then, apply two drops of the treatment oil to the palms of your hands, rub them together and gently press onto your complexion. This simple step lends an all-over, glossy skin effect
6. Control oil where needed
Skin should look glossy but not greasy, so if your complexion needs a touch-up to control oil, focus a translucent powder through the t-zone only, leaving cheekbones luminous. Synchro Skin Invisible Silk Loose Powder is our pick; an air-light, micro-fine powder, available in two finishes: Matte and Radiant. Choose Radiant for lit-from-within skin that stays sheeny yet shine-free.
7. Illuminate your eyes
Keep eye makeup simple. Glossy skin and glazed lids are a dreamy combination, so swap liner and shadow for an extra drop of Revitalessence Skin Glow Primer on the centre of each eyelid. Then, curl lashes with our cult-classic Eyelash Curler, pressing at the roots and gently curving upwards. Finish with a coat of smudge-proof, clump-proof and waterproof mascara, like ControlledChaos MascaraInk.
8. Swipe on a light-reflective lip gloss
Glossy with a dose of iridescence, Shimmer GelGloss drenches lips in a crystal finish with a hint of a tint. Toki Nude is the suits-all shade that elevates every glossy makeup look. Dot it just in the centre of your lips or glide it on for a megawatt glow. With up to 12 hours of hydration, it delivers care and luminous colour in one. One swipe, and your glossy makeup look is complete.
