PEARL SKIN IS THE COQUETTE
WAY TO GLOW
August 27, 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.”
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Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
$45.00
.5oz/15ml
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Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
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$34.50
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Show off your luminous complexion with the Pearl Skin trend.
“IT’S VERY REGAL AND ORNATE SKIN WITH
A GORGEOUS PLUMPNESS AND
LUMINOSITY THAT FEELS A LITTLE
COQUETTE.”
A GORGEOUS PLUMPNESS AND
LUMINOSITY THAT FEELS A LITTLE
COQUETTE.”
—TERRY BARBER, M·A·C CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF MAKEUP ARTISTRY
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 Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid(1628)Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum$48.75A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift ConcealerSTUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER$31.00A weightless, radiant concealer that provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation(1694)Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation$34.50A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
- Sweep Extra Dimension(160)Extra Dimension Skinfinish$32.25A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
- Smooth on Lip Conditioner(179)Lip Conditioner (Tube)$16.50An 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 mermaidcore aesthetic with radiant pearl makeup.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid(1628)Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum$48.75A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift ConcealerSTUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER$31.00A weightless, radiant concealer that provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation(1694)Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation$34.50A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
- Tap Strobe Cream(280)Strobe Cream$27.75A radiant moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and illuminates with iridescent particles.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish(160)Extra Dimension Skinfinish$32.25A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.(302)Mineralize Skinfinish$32.25A luxurious powder with M·A·C Multi-Mineral Complex that adds highlights to the face and body.
- Coat lashes with Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara(234)Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara$21.00A smudge-proof, high-definition carbon-black tubing mascara that's washable with warm water and lasts up to 16 hours.
- Line lips with Lip Pencil(669)Lip Pencil$18.75A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.(362)Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick$19.50A plumping gloss stick that nourishes and conditions lips with translucent colour and non-sticky shine.
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 Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid(1628)Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum$48.75A serum-moisturizer hybrid that visibly reduces dark spots and the appearance of pores, hydrates, retexturizes and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-smooth, even canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift ConcealerSTUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER$31.00A weightless, radiant concealer that provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation(1694)Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation$34.50A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
- Tap Strobe Cream(280)Strobe Cream$27.75A radiant moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and illuminates with iridescent particles.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish(160)Extra Dimension Skinfinish$32.25A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
- Smooth on Lipglass Clear(352)Lipglass Clear$18.00A 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.
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