The glass skin trend is all about smooth, glossy, translucent and ultra-hydrated skin. Left photo from instagram.com/songofstyle. Right photo by Karla Ticas via thechrisellefactor.com
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Start where any good skincare routine should: cleansing. While this is the golden rule of any skincare routine, Koreans take it a step further with the double cleanse – the most effective way to dissolve all traces of makeup, sweat, pollutants, dirt and oil. Ellie Choi – the makeup artist whose glass-skin routine was a viral hit on social media – recommends Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes<link Watsons> and Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser<link Watsons> as an affordable duo of options.
Step 2: Sheet Mask
Alicia Tan – the Korean beauty enthusiast whose glass skin YouTube video received more than 600,000 views – opts for an affordable local Korean sheet mask during her routine, while recommending patting the face after applying the mask to helps lock in moisture. There are plenty of super-affordable cult Korean beauty brands offering hydrating sheet masks – an option like JM Solution Glow Luminous Aurora Masks will do the trick. For best results, store them in the fridge – the cold temperature helps to further stimulate blood circulation and absorb nutrients deeper into the dermis.
Step 3: Toner & Essence
While toners have been subject to their fair share of backlash over the years (stemming from outdated astringent toners that stripped skin of natural oils), modern-day toners are nothing to be afraid of. Instead, it’s a critical first leave-on step that hydrates, nourishes and treats. Looking for a gentle choice? Choi’s routine features Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion 3. Next, pat a little hydration essence – the K-Beauty mainstay – onto skin to plump, brighten, hydrate and prep your face to best absorb your next step. We love Chanel’s Hydra Beauty Micro Liquid Essence.
Step 4: Moisturiser
When it comes to achieving reflective, dewy skin, there’s really no such thing as too much hydration. Opt for one containing moisture-trapping oils that keeps skin looking plump and dewy for hours. Tan suggests Clinique Moisture Surge 72-hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator in this glass skin tutorial, calling it ‘super lightweight, refreshing and cooling’. If you wanted to add another layer onto this step, a few spritzes of face mist as an additional layer won’t go amiss.
Step 5: Foundation
While glass skin is categorised as a skincare trend, these days, skincare and makeup blur into one. Which brings us to our final step – a light layer of oil-based foundation in a skin-friendly formula, which will help will enhance your already glowing skin. In her tutorial, Tan recommends skincare-makeup hybrid Shu Uemura’s The Lightbulb Essence Essential-Oil-In Foundation, which is infused with just the right amount of oil and pigment to create a radiant reflection.