PEARL SKIN IS THE COQUETTE
WAY TO GLOW
January 2, 2024 by Cat Quinn
The coquette aesthetic is everywhere. With the flood of pink bows, silk lace-up corsets and rosy blush comes a new complexion trend: Pearl Skin. Marked by diffused pearl pigments that blur and refract light – as opposed to glitter particles that reflect light – it gives the face a decadent and refined glow inspired by the precious gem.
Unlike other glowy skin trends, pearl makeup is not about creating a wet shine, but rather a radiant finish that beautifully contours the face without glare or hot spots. “It’s a whole new luxury in luminosity,” says Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry. “It’s magnificently dressed, premium skin.”
Often accompanied by shimmer eye makeup and frosty lips, Pearl Skin is intentionally decadent and tongue-in-cheek, as it reclaims a classically pretty look for the female gaze. “Pearl Skin makes me think of 18th-century portraits,” says Barber. “It’s very regal and ornate skin with a gorgeous plumpness and luminosity that feels a little coquette.”
Unlike other glowy skin trends, pearl makeup is not about creating a wet shine, but rather a radiant finish that beautifully contours the face without glare or hot spots. “It’s a whole new luxury in luminosity,” says Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry. “It’s magnificently dressed, premium skin.”
Often accompanied by shimmer eye makeup and frosty lips, Pearl Skin is intentionally decadent and tongue-in-cheek, as it reclaims a classically pretty look for the female gaze. “Pearl Skin makes me think of 18th-century portraits,” says Barber. “It’s very regal and ornate skin with a gorgeous plumpness and luminosity that feels a little coquette.”
Lip Pencil
£20.00
A lip liner pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Frost Lipstick
£22.00
A smooth Lipstick formula. Buildable colour with a pearlescent semi-lustrous finish and lightweight feel.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
£25.00
A Raspberry Seed and Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil-infused Lipstick formula. A range of sheer-shine colours with a lustrous glossy finish and up to 8-hour wear that provide immediate moisture.
Eyeshadow
£20.00
A highly pigmented powder that applies evenly and blends well.
Show off a luminous complexion with Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam.
Pearl Skin defines features while giving your complexion a glimmering glow.
Hyper Real SerumizerTM is the can’t-skip step for Pearl Skin.
HOW TO GET THE TREND
LOOK 1: Emulate glowy skin that radiates from within with pearl makeup.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Skin Balancing Hydration Serum.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam over your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin and Cupid’s bow for a pearlescent sheen.
- Finish by smoothing on a layer of Lip Conditioner .
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£60.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
£39.00
A moisturising foundation with buildable coverage in 56 luminous shades. Features a 10% hyaluronic acid solution to deliver plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance, it smooths skin texture and evens out skin tone.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
£34.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives skin a metallic-glow finish.
Lip Conditioner
£22.00
An emollient-based balm that conditions lips, locks in moisture and gives a soft shine.
Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation gives skin a custom glow with its Artist-Curated Radiance Blend.
Bump up the radiance by layering Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam and Gold Deposit.
LOOK 2: Embrace the mermaid core aesthetic with radiant pearl makeup.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Skin Balancing Hydration Serum.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation.
- Tap Strobe Cream in Pinklite onto the high points of your face.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam onto your eyelids and on the inner corners of your eyes.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£60.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
£39.00
A moisturising foundation with buildable coverage in 56 luminous shades. Features a 10% hyaluronic acid solution to deliver plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance, it smooths skin texture and evens out skin tone.
Strobe Cream
£32.00
An illuminating primer that hydrates, brightens and clarifies skin with a mega-dose of vitamins and green tea. Iridescent particles reflect light for a revitalised, radiant glow.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
£34.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives skin a metallic-glow finish.
Lip Pencil
£20.00
A lip liner pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick
£22.00
Looks like a lip balm. Shines like a gloss. Explore lustrous pops of sheer colour with our plumping gloss stick. This non-sticky, lightweight formula nourishes lips and glides on to create a glossy, wet-lip look.
Top off your Pearl Skin with Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam.
Layer Hyper Real SerumizerTM and Strobe Cream for a luxurious pearl finish.
LOOK 3: Give glowy skin new meaning with pearl makeup.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Skin Balancing Hydration Serum.
- Even out your skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation for plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance.
- Tap Strobe Cream in Pinklite onto the high points of your face.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam over your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, eyelids and Cupid’s bow for a pearlescent sheen.
- To finish the look, smooth on a layer of Lipglass Clear.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
£60.00
The new, never-before-seen serum-moisturiser hybrid! Its breathable formula improves skin texture and strengthens skin barrier, to reveal petal-soft skin for a makeup-ready canvas.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
£39.00
A moisturising foundation with buildable coverage in 56 luminous shades. Features a 10% hyaluronic acid solution to deliver plump, hydrated skin with all-day radiance, it smooths skin texture and evens out skin tone.
Strobe Cream
£32.00
An illuminating primer that hydrates, brightens and clarifies skin with a mega-dose of vitamins and green tea. Iridescent particles reflect light for a revitalised, radiant glow.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
£34.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives skin a metallic-glow finish.
Lipglass Clear
£22.00
A unique clear lip gloss that can create a glass-like finish or a subtle sheen.
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, shares his perspective on the Pearl Skin trend.
