How To Look Lit From Within, Thanks to TikTok’s Pearl Skin Makeup Trend

What Is Pearl Skin Makeup?

Pretty much like it sounds, “The pearl skin makeup look focuses on a hydrated, satin finish complexion with pearly, highlighted apples of the cheeks to resemble a pearl,” explains makeup artist Sophia Porter. “The eyes and lips are understated with soft washes of color. Sheer tints are ideal to complement this highlighted look.” 

Or, as one of TikTok’s makeup gurus Danielle Marcan puts it, “It’s giving dimension without looking wet.” 

To Marcan’s point, “What makes this different from dewy skin is not only the placement of the product but also the type and finish of what you will be using,” says KIKO MILANO makeup artist Maria Isabel Rincon Djuro. “Remember, this isn't a frosty or metallic look, and you can achieve this by using a small amount of product, as long as your steps give you the perfect base. It’s doing the most with the least. Picture this look as, is it makeup, or is she just radiant and glowing?”

To further elaborate, Djuro says glowy primers and foundation are all good, but the highlight is the real star of the show. Even so, you still won’t go overboard with it. “This highlighter should have a finish that isn’t too metallic, but not just a balm dew,” the pro says. “This means you should look for reflecting pigments in your highlighter, but not foil or metallic ones.”

How to Create the Stunning Pearl Skin Makeup Look

Step 1: Prep and Nourish Your Skin

Your skincare will play a heavy role with this look. Djuro advises going to town with your most hydrating serums and dewiest moisturizer. This is also the time to reach for your glow drops. If you don’t have any handy, Djuro mixes the KIKO MILANO Smart Glow Drops in with her moisturizer for effortless shine. We personally use the iconic GLOW RECIPE Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. Porter’s pick? A hyaluronic acid-based sheet mask. The PATCHOLOGY Hydrate Sheet Mask packs a punch with nourishing ingredients and moisture.

Step 2: Prime With Something Glowy

Even when we aren’t going for pearl skin makeup, we love a glowy primer moment. It provides a healthy, nourished-looking base for what’s to come. 

“Make sure you choose a super glowy primer, preferably with reflective pigments in it,” Djuro suggests. She opts for the KIKO MILANO Radiance Boost Serum Face Base. We can’t start our day without the YENSA BEAUTY Tone Up Essential Glow Primer. Packed with good-for-you ingredients that reveal a lit-from-within look, you really can’t go wrong.

Step 3: Apply Foundation and Concealer

A lightweight, glowy foundation is what you'll need for this look, according to Djuro. 

“Your concealer should be for coverage, so stick with a shade that matches your skin tone,” she says. “You can highlight the undereye later with a lighter powder. Use only the amount you need, and get ready to see your most glowy base.” 

When it comes to glowy foundation (or anything glowy, period), no one does it quite like CHARLOTTE TILBURY. We swear by the viral sensation’s CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beautiful Skin Foundation, which is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and a brightening rose complex. 

Don’t forget to tap the T-zone with finely milled loose powder, a la the ONE/SIZE 

Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder.

Step 4: Sweep on Some Blush

For this step, choose a pink shade, aiming for a baby pink, specifically—according to Djuro. The placement is key, focusing on the apples of the cheeks under the center of the eye. Porter says the blush should be a cream or liquid consistency. 

If baby pink is what this calls for, we’ve got you covered. We never leave home without our trusty ICONIC LONDON Sheer Blush. 

Step 5: Add a Pearly Highlighter

The placement is also extremely important for this step. Djuro instructs to go right on the cheekbones and focus under the center of the eye, blending the highlighter into the side. “By doing this, light will reflect on these areas in the most flattering way when you turn side to side,” she says. 

We recommend layering the TARTE Maracuja Juicy Glow Highlighting Stick in Pearlescent Glow under the translucent ABOUT-FACE Light Lock Powder.

Step 6: Complete Your Eyes, Brows, and Lips

The final step doesn’t follow a particular formula, though if we’re going off of TikTok, you want to keep things looking as natural as possible. For the eyes, you can take the shade from the aforementioned highlighting stick and tap that onto the eyelids for a cohesive look. Then, the lips should be a neutral shade, most likely a tinted gloss if you have one. Our lippie pick is the PAT McGRATH LABS Lust: Gloss. As for brows, style as usual.

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