7 steps to glass skin, K-Beauty’s comeback summer trend

It’s no secret that we (and the rest of the world) are looking to the beauty capital of South Korea for our skin goals. And when skincare masters came up with the ‘glass skin’ trend – an almost translucent complexion and a luminous glow that seems to radiate from within – a few years ago, we were hooked. This season is a comeback. After all, who doesn’t want a radiant, clear, pore-free, dewy complexion?

So for those of you who are ready to jump in, here is our step-by-step guide to getting a skin of glass:

1. Double cleaning

It all starts with a clean canvas. Beautiful skin is healthy skin, so hygiene is a top priority. Start with a cleansing oil that dissolves impurities and stubborn makeup. Valmont Wonderland Falls is a creamy formula that melts into oil and does the job without removing moisture from your face. The second part concerns a water-based product such as Enzymatic cleanser from Dr. Barbara Sturm which ensures that any residue or oil from the first part is taken care of. The powder format allows you to mix your own concentration according to the condition of your skin and its specific needs.

Valmont Wonderland Falls

Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzymatic Cleanser

2. Mask

What Glass Skin needs is hydration. Whether fabric masks (Luminous Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask), wash the masks (Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask) or leave-in night masks (Laneige Water Sleep Mask) – make sure you hydrate your skin excessively or better yet, imbue your skin with nutrients for that luminous glow.

Luminous Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

3. Your

Preferably choose something with a lightening element. Look for ingredients like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and rose water. Layer on Deep Hydration Face Tonic with Fresh Rose Where Guerlain Orchidée Impériale L’Essence-en-Lotion so your skin can soak up all the moisture for a plump, supple look.

Fresh Rose Tonic

Guerlain Orchidée Impériale L’Essence-en-Lotion

4. Hydrate

Hydrate a lot! Unlike makeup, when it comes to moisturizing, more reallyis more. Keep it all good with a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type and environment. Here in Hong Kong, you’re going to want a light formula (like First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream Where Helena Rubinstein Prodigy Cellglow The Regenerating Radiance Cream) that won’t clog your pores. Remember, you want glass, not fat.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Helena Rubinstein The Regenerating Radiance Cream

5. Protect

Nothing damages the skin more than UV, no matter what the meteorologist predicts for sunny, overcast or stormy days. A good attack is a good defense, so an SPF barrier is essential. For our climate, the SPF50 is a good benchmark. Similar to your moisturizer, choose something airy like Derm Institute’s Cellular Brightening Daily Defense SPF50 + Where Sofina Super Moisture UV Cut Emulsion SPF 50+.

Derm Institute Cellular Brightening Daily Defense

Sofina Super Moisture UV Cut Emulsion

6. Correct color

Be careful with what you select, as not all products will work for the look of the glass. Clearly, avoid matte formulas, and turn to water-based formulas such as NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. A play of light can help accentuate the glow, so an illuminating highlighter (like Charlotte Tilbury’s Goldgasm) on the cheekbones, browbone and Cupid’s bow can amplify the brilliant shine.

Charlotte tilbury goldgasm

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

7. Mist

For an extra boost (and a lot of shine), seal everything in with a facial mist. It is also going to be the uplifting of your skin throughout the day, so keep a small bottle ready for when the slightest signs of tarnish start to appear (Aesop Immediate Hydration Face Mist Where Estée Lauder Micro Essence Aquaceutical Mist).