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
$19.20
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Frost Lipstick
$18.40
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
$20.80
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
Eye Shadow
$23.00
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 Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam over cheekbones, bridge of the nose, chin and Cupid’s bow for a pearlescent sheen.
- Smooth on Lip Conditioner .
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
$65.00
A 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.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
$46.00
A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$31.50
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lip Conditioner (Tube)
$20.00
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 mermaidcore aesthetic with radiant pearl makeup.
- Prep and hydrate your complexion with Hyper Real SerumizerTM Serum-Moisturizer Hybrid.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation.
- Tap Strobe Cream in Pinklite onto the high points of the face.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam and Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit overtop and to the inner corners of the eyes.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
$65.00
A 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.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
$46.00
A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
Strobe Cream
$36.00
A radiant moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and illuminates with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$31.50
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Mineralize Skinfinish
$42.00
A luxurious powder with M·A·C Multi-Mineral Complex that adds highlights to the face and body.
Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara
$27.00
A smudge-proof, high-definition carbon-black tubing mascara that’s washable with warm water and lasts up to 16 hours.
Lip Pencil
$19.20
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick
$24.00
A 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.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation for a lit-from-within glow.
- Tap Strobe Cream in Pinklite onto the high points of the face.
- Sweep Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam over cheekbones, bridge of the nose, eyes and Cupid’s bow for a pearlescent sheen.
- Smooth on Lipglass Clear.
Hyper Real Serumizer™ Skin Balancing Hydration Serum
$65.00
A 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.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation
$46.00
A buildable, weightless, 24-hour hydrating foundation that smooths texture, evens tone, and blurs the look of pores.
Strobe Cream
$36.00
A radiant moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and illuminates with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$31.50
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lipglass Clear
$18.40
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.
