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.”
Lip Pencil
$40.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
Frost Lipstick
$40.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Lipstick
$44.00
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
$35.00
A saturated pressed powder eye shadow in four textures featuring even more pigment-packed payoff.
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.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealerto lift and brighten undereyes.
- 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 .
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$55.00
A weightless, radiant concealer provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lip Conditioner (Tube)
$40.00
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.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealerto lift and brighten undereyes.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-Powered 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.
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$55.00
A weightless, radiant concealer provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Strobe Cream
$70.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Mineralize Skinfinish
$73.00
A luxurious powder with M·A·C Multi-Mineral Complex that adds highlights to the face and body.
Extended Play Gigablack Lash
$48.00
A waterproof carbon black formula that creates defined lashes for up to 16 hours.
Lip Pencil
$40.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick
$40.00
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.
- Dot, swipe and glow using Studio Radiance 24HR Luminous Lift Concealerto lift and brighten undereyes.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-Powered 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.
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$55.00
A weightless, radiant concealer provides 24-hour medium buildable coverage, +90% immediate hydration* and diminishes the look of dark circles over time by 18%**.
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Strobe Cream
$70.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lipglass Clear
$39.00
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.
