PEARL SKIN IS THE
COQUETTE WAY
TO GLOW
August 27, 2024 by Cat Quinn
The coquette aesthetic is everywhere; and 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 a magnificently dressed, premium skin-first look.”
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 a magnificently dressed, premium skin-first look.”
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
$46.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
Frost Lipstick
$46.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick
$49.00
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
$41.00
A saturated pressed powder eye shadow in four textures featuring even more pigment-packed payoff.
SHOP PEARL SKIN
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
$122.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft, pore-minimised canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$64.00
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
$88.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$86.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lip Conditioner (Tube)
$46.00
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
$122.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft, pore-minimised canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$64.00
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
$88.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Strobe Cream
$82.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$86.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Mineralize Skinfinish
$86.00
A luxurious powder with M·A·C Multi-Mineral Complex that adds highlights to the face and body.
Extended Play Gigablack Lash
$55.00
A waterproof carbon black formula that creates defined lashes for up to 16 hours.
Lip Pencil
$46.00
An ultra-precise lip liner in a wide range of creamy shades designed for shaping, lining or filing in lips.
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick
$46.00
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
$122.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft, pore-minimised canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
STUDIO RADIANCE 24HR LUMINOUS LIFT CONCEALER
$64.00
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
$88.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
Strobe Cream
$82.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$86.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
Lipglass Clear
$45.00
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.
