Glass skin is a thing (and here's how to achieve it)

For skin that looks fresh as a daisy (and then some), we're taking the lead of our stunning Seoul sisters. 'Glass skin' first came on the scene during 2018 when the runways were stalked by a legion of glossy-faced models who looked so impossibly dewy we didn't know where to begin... thankfully, the brands are catching up with our desire to exude the kind of light-reflective highlight that accompanies a week of sleep and countless pints of water - a futuristic sheen that's big on 'mirror' (less on 'shimmer'). Fancy learning how to 'gloss'? Armed with the latest arrivals from brands such Milk Makeup, BECCA, Charlotte Tilbury and Kevyn Aucoin, your 2020 update's in the (make up) bag...

A highlight but not as you know it, BECCA's incredible {Skin Love Glow Glaze Stick} is a translucent balm packed with skin-loving extracts to nourish your cheekbones while granting a modern suggestion of... something. Think: French women's answer to looking fresh-faced without effort, this is basically je ne sais quoi in a stick.Shiseido's stunning {Crystal GelGloss} has a chic vinyl shine that looks stunning applied to your eyelids or dabbed along 'high points'. A great way to nod to the trend without steering too far towards 'greasy', this lends an immediate gleam that looks grown-up and gorgeous.

For all those who still like their strobe with some sparkle, Milk Makeup's new {Glow Oil Lip & Cheek} is a fresh and juicy twist on its bestselling ancestor. Part lip tint, part dewy blush, this multi-purpose bullet is ideal for those who want their glow 'to go'. 100% vegan and cruelty-free, this sheer formula glides on seamlessly for a subtle wash of shimmering colour and there are four shades to choose from: bright pink ‘Halo’, plum ‘Astro’, coral ‘Flare’ and mauve ‘Glimmer’.Charlotte Tilbury's {Beauty Light Wand} unites the pearlescent appeal of 'traditional' highlight with a hefty dose of dew that grants an otherworldly glisten. Beautifully buildable to vary the intensity from subtle to show-stopping, we defy you not to fall for the exquisite 'Glowgasm' hues - 'Peachgasm' is perfect for a flush of wintry colour with a captivating lustre. Top with a gloss to bring edge to your elegance...

If you want to achieve that fresh, post-workout sheen without breaking an actual sweat then pair classy athleisure with Kevyn Aucoin's stunning {Glass Glow Face & Body Illuminator} in 'Crystal Clear' - a luminous fluid that works as a highlight or mixed with your day cream to fake an 'outdoorsy' skin finish that no one will know didn't come from a spin class (just dew it).Skin care meets plumping and cell-quenching oil, Milk Makeup's {Hydrating Oil} is a beautiful, post-yoga sheen in a slick twist-up bullet. Completely free from tint and shimmer, this nourishing solid oil formula means you can lend a fresh, barely-there glow to the places you want to look shiny - without trying (and failing) to bend your inflexible legs like a pretzel.SHOP COMPLEXION >>

Verity Douglas Writer and expert

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...

Glass skin is a thing (and here’s how to achieve it)

Related Posts

NEED TO KNOW: A 101 GUIDE ON GLOW RECIPE

THE ULTIMATE TANNING GUIDE

AN EDITOR REVIEWS: THE NEW DÉESSE PRO SKIN CARE DEVICE

Curate your skin care wardrobe with these potent problem solvers

Introducing Charlotte Tilbury’s Super Nudes Collection

LEAN IN TO WINTER WITH C.E.O. SKIN CARE

7 new cult buys you need right now

Brighten Blue Monday with these Sunday Riley essentials