7 Steps To Achieve Glass Skin, The K-Beauty Comeback Trend for Summer

It’s no secret that we (and the rest of the world) look towards the beauty capital that is South Korea for our skin goals. And when the masters of skincare came up with the “glass skin” trend — an almost translucent complexion and luminous glow that seems to radiate from within — a few years back, we were hooked. This season, it’s returned in a big way. After all, who doesn’t want a gleamingly clear, poreless, dewy complexion?

So for those of you that are ready to get on board, here’s our step-by-step guide to achieving glass skin:

1. Double Cleanse

It all starts with a clean canvas. Beautiful skin is healthy skin, so hygiene is top priority. Begin with an oil cleanser that dissolves away impurities and stubborn makeup. Valmont’s Wonder Falls is a cream-melt-to-oil formula and gets the job done without stripping your face of moisture. Part two involves a water-base product like Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Enzyme Cleanser that ensures any residue or oil from part one is taken care of. The powder format allows you to blend your own concentration depending on your skin’s condition and specific needs.

Valmont Wonder Falls

Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser

2. Mask

What Glass Skin requires is hydration. Be it sheet masks (Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask), wash off masks (Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask) or leave-in overnight masks (Laneige Water Sleeping Mask) — make sure to overindulge your skin with moisture, or better yet, drench your skin in nutrients for that luminous glow.

Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

3. Tone

Preferably choose something with a brightening element to it. Look for ingredients such as Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Rose Water. Layer on Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner or Guerlain Orchidée Impériale The Essence-in-Lotion so your skin can soak in all the moisture for that plump and supple look.

Fresh Rose Toner

Guerlain Orchidée Impériale The Essence-in-Lotion

4. Moisturise

Moisturise lots! Unlike makeup, when it comes to moisturising, more reallyis more. Keep in all the goodness with a moisturiser that works for your skin type and your environment. Here in Hong Kong, you’re going to want a light formula (like First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream or Helena Rubinstein Prodigy Cellglow The Radiant Regenerating Cream) that won’t clog your pores. Remember you want glassy, not greasy.

First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream

Helena Rubinstein The Radiant Regenerating Cream

5. Protect

Nothing damages the skin more than UV, regardless of the weatherman’s prediction for sunny, overcast or thunderstorm days. A good offence is a good defence so an SPF barrier is a must. For our climate, SPF50 is a good benchmark. Similar to your moisturiser, pick something airy like Derm Institute’s Cellular Brightening Daily Defense SPF50+ or Sofina Super Moisture UV Cut Emulsion SPF 50+.

Derm Institute Cellular Brightening Daily Defense

Sofina Super Moisture UV Cut Emulsion

6. Colour correct

Be careful in what you select, as not all products are going to work for the glass look. Clearly, avoid any matte formulas, and turn to water-based formulas such as NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. A play on light can help to accentuate the glow, so an illuminating highlighter (like Charlotte Tilbury’s Goldgasm) on the cheekbones, brow bone and cupid’s bow can amplify the glossy glow.

Charlotte Tilbury Goldgasm

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

7. Mist

For an extra boost (and a lot of sheen), seal in everything with a facial mist. This is also going to be your skin’s pick-me-up throughout the day, so keep a small bottle ready for when the slightest signs of dulling begin to appear (Aesop’s Immediate Moisture Facial Mist or Estée Lauder Micro Essence Aquaceutical Mist).

Estée Lauder Moisture Facial Mist

Aesop Immediate Moisture Facial Mist