The “glass skin” trend has taken the beauty world by storm. Originating in South Korea, this skincare and makeup technique emphasizes clear, luminous, and radiant skin that looks almost like glass—smooth, dewy, and lit-from-within. Achieving glass skin doesn’t require hours of skincare or complicated steps—it’s all about mastering the right makeup techniques and using products that create that perfect, glassy finish.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the steps you need to take to achieve the glass skin effect using makeup. From prepping your skin to choosing the right products and tools, you’ll learn how to create a flawless, radiant complexion that mimics the dewy glow seen on celebrities and beauty influencers.
What is ‘Glass Skin’?
Before we dive into the makeup tips and tricks, let’s first understand what glass skin is all about. Glass skin refers to a complexion that is smooth, luminous, and transparent—almost as if your skin is made of glass. The look is characterized by:
- A natural, dewy finish
- Hydrated and plump skin
- Even tone with a slight glow
- Minimal texture, blemishes, or unevenness
While achieving glass skin traditionally involves a careful skincare routine that focuses on deep hydration, exfoliation, and using products that promote a smooth texture, makeup can also help you achieve this effect quickly, even if you don’t have the perfect skincare regimen in place.
Now that you understand the goal, let’s move on to the steps for achieving glass skin using makeup.
1. Start with a Hydrating Skincare Base
Achieving glass skin starts with prepping your skin properly. The right skincare will lay the foundation for the luminous finish you’re aiming for.
Hack: Use Hydrating and Glowing Skincare Products
Before applying any makeup, you want to make sure your skin is well-moisturized and hydrated. Use a hydrating toner or essence to add moisture to the skin. Follow up with a lightweight moisturizer that suits your skin type—whether you have oily, dry, or combination skin, choosing the right moisturizer will give your makeup a dewy, healthy glow.
Recommended Products:
- Hydrating Toner: Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
- Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
- Hydrating Essence: Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
Tip: Don’t skip sunscreen! A broad-spectrum SPF not only protects your skin but also keeps it glowing and youthful.
2. Prime for Glow
Once your skin is prepped, it’s time to apply primer. The primer acts as the barrier between your skincare and makeup, and it can help create that smooth, glassy finish.
Hack: Choose a Hydrating and Luminous Primer
For glass skin, you’ll want to use a primer that adds glow without being too greasy. Look for hydrating primers that provide radiance, and that work well with your skin tone. The goal here is to create a glowing base that makes your skin look naturally radiant.
Recommended Products:
- Glowing Primer: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
- Hydrating Primer: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer
- Luminous Primer: Becca Backlight Priming Filter
Tip: If you have larger pores, use a pore-filling primer only in the areas where you need it—usually around the nose and chin—to maintain the overall glow without masking your skin’s natural luminosity.
3. Use a Dewy Foundation or BB Cream
To keep your skin looking hydrated and luminous, you’ll want to choose a foundation or BB cream that provides medium to light coverage with a dewy finish. Heavy, matte foundations will obscure the glass skin effect, so opting for a lightweight foundation will give you that radiant glow.
Hack: Use a Dewy or Radiant Foundation Formula
A dewy foundation is your best friend when it comes to creating glass skin. Look for foundations or BB creams that are hydrating and give you that natural, radiant finish.
Recommended Products:
- Dewy Foundation: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
- BB Cream: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
- Radiant Foundation: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
Tip: Apply foundation with a damp beauty sponge for a seamless, airbrushed finish. The damp sponge helps to maintain that dewy look without making the foundation look cakey.
To brighten up the under-eye area and conceal any blemishes, use a hydrating concealer with a lightweight texture. Look for a formula that gives a natural, skin-like finish.
4. Conceal Imperfections with a Hydrating Formula
Recommended Products:
- Hydrating Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand
- Brightening Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Lightweight Concealer: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
Tip: To keep your under-eye area looking fresh, apply the concealer in a triangular shape beneath your eyes, and blend it well for a brighter, more awake appearance.
5. Set with a Light Dusting of Translucent Powder
5. Set with a Light Dusting of Translucent Powder
While you want to keep your skin glowing, it’s still important to set your makeup to avoid creasing or shine. For glass skin, you’ll want to use a light hand when applying powder. Focus on the areas where your makeup tends to slip (like under the eyes or around the nose) but leave the rest of your face with a natural glow.
Hack: Set with a Light Layer of Powder Only Where Necessary
Use a fine, translucent powder to set the makeup in place. Avoid using too much product, as this can mattify your skin and eliminate that sought-after dewy look.
Recommended Products:
- Translucent Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
- Light Setting Powder: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Setting Powder
Tip: Use a fluffy brush to apply the powder lightly, or use a damp sponge to press the powder into your skin for an even finish.
6. Add a Cream Blush for a Natural Flush
To enhance that dewy, glassy look, cream blushes work wonders. These types of blushes blend seamlessly into the skin, giving you a soft, natural flush. Powder blushes can sometimes look too matte, so cream formulas are key to achieving a fresh, glowing finish.
Hack: Apply Cream Blush for a Fresh Glow
After setting your base, apply a cream blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upward for a fresh, youthful glow. Cream blushes are perfect for adding color without disrupting the dewy look you’ve created.
Recommended Products:
- Cream Blush: Glossier Cloud Paint
- Stick Blush: Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush
- Multi-use Cream Blush: Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek Stick
Tip: Apply cream blush with your fingers or a beauty sponge for a soft and seamless application.
7. Use a Subtle Highlighter for Extra Glow
Highlighter is essential for the glass skin effect, but the key is to use a subtle, dewy highlighter that enhances your natural skin rather than overpowering it. Avoid powder highlighters and opt for cream or liquid highlighters for that radiant, skin-like finish.
Hack: Apply Highlighter to High Points of Your Face
Focus on the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, and the inner corners of your eyes. Use a cream or liquid highlighter for a seamless glow.
Recommended Products:
- Liquid Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter
- Cream Highlighter: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
- Dewy Highlighter: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
Tip: Use your fingers to apply highlighter to the skin for a more natural and seamless finish. Tap it in gently for a glowing, lit-from-within look.
8. Finish with Setting Spray for Long-Lasting Glow
To lock in your makeup and keep that glass skin look intact all day, finish with a setting spray. Choose a hydrating, dewy setting spray to keep your makeup looking fresh and radiant.
Hack: Use a Dewy Setting Spray
A dewy setting spray not only helps to set your makeup but also boosts the glow factor. It creates a barrier to lock in moisture and prevent your makeup from fading or looking dull.
Recommended Products:
- Dewy Setting Spray: MAC Fix+ Setting Spray
- Hydrating Setting Spray: Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray
- Glow-Boosting Setting Spray: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Tip: Hold the setting spray about 8-10 inches from your face and spray evenly for a fresh, hydrated finish.
Final Thoughts: Glass Skin Is All About the Glow
Achieving glass skin with makeup is all about embracing a luminous, natural glow. The goal is to look like you have healthy, hydrated skin that reflects light in all the right ways. Start with a glowing skincare base, choose dewy, lightweight makeup formulas, and focus on highlighting your natural radiance.
Remember, the key to glass skin is less about covering up imperfections and more about enhancing your skin’s natural beauty. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving that flawless, glassy finish we all desire.
Don’t forget to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for your skin type. With the right makeup tricks, you’ll be able to achieve that enviable, glass skin effect every time!
