![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_header_m.jpg)
PEARL SKIN IS THE
COQUETTE WAY
TO GLOW
January 2, 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.”
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![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_M38022_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Lip Pencil
$40.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SK5H1P_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Frost Lipstick
$40.00
A Lipstick formula with smooth, medium buildable coverage, high pearl and a semi-lustrous finish.
(9)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SMXF02_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Lustreglass Lipstick
$44.00
A lightweight, raspberry seed- and organic extra-virgin olive oil-infused lipstick that delivers sheer and shiny colour with a long-wearing, lustrous finish.
(13)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_M2502W_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Eye Shadow
$35.00
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.
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$70.00
15 ml
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“IT’S VERY REGAL AND ORNATE SKIN WITH A GORGEOUS PLUMPNESS AND LUMINOSITY THAT FEELS A LITTLE COQUETTE.”
—TERRY BARBER, M·A·C CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF MAKEUP ARTISTRY
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend1-1_m.jpg)
Pearl Skin defines features while giving your complexion a glimmering glow.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend1-2_m.jpg)
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.
- 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 .
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYM601_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
(132)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYP831_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
(10)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_MLGK19_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_M6H301_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Lip Conditioner (Tube)
$40.00
An emollient-based balm that conditions lips, locks in moisture and gives a soft shine.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend2-1_m.jpg)
Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM Foundation gives skin a custom glow with its Artist-Curated Radiance Blend.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend2-2_m.jpg)
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.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM 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.
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYM601_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
(132)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYP831_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
(13)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_S48L01_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Strobe Cream
$70.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
(10)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_MLGK19_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
(22)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_MT1328_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Mineralize Skinfinish
$73.00
A luxurious powder with M·A·C Multi-Mineral Complex that adds highlights to the face and body.
- Coat lashes with Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara.
- Line lips with Lip Pencil in Chestnut, then smooth on Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Simulation.
(10)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_MN4501_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Extended Play Gigablack Lash
$48.00
A waterproof carbon black formula that creates defined lashes for up to 16 hours.
(19)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_M38006_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Lip Pencil
$40.00
A pencil in a wide range of colours designed for shaping, lining or filling in lips.
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_STRJ10_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick
$40.00
A plumping gloss stick that nourishes and conditions lips with translucent colour and non-sticky shine.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend3-1_m.jpg)
Top off your Pearl Skin with Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Double-Gleam.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_trend3-2_m.jpg)
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.
- Even skin tone with Studio Radiance Serum-PoweredTM 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.
(6)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYM601_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
MAC Hyper Real Serumizer™
$108.00
A serum-moisturiser hybrid that balances, retexturises and strengthens the skin barrier for a petal-soft canvas with lit-from-within radiance.
(132)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_SYP831_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Studio Radiance Serum-Powered™ Foundation
$76.00
A moisturising, softly luminous and skin-enhancing serum foundation that delivers +209% instant hydration, medium buildable smoothing coverage and lasting radiance.
(13)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_S48L01_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Strobe Cream
$70.00
A moisturizer that boosts the look of dull skin and luminizes with iridescent particles.
(10)
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_MLGK19_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Extra Dimension Skinfinish
$73.00
A liquid-powder highlighter that gives a luminous, well-defined finish.
![](https://sdcdn.io/mac/au/mac_sku_M71P01_1x1_0.png?width=163&height=163)
Lipglass Clear
$39.00
A unique clear lip gloss that can create a glass-like finish or a subtle sheen.
![](/media/export/cms/trend_hub/trendhub_202402_pearlskin_YouTube_Cover_m.jpg)
Terry Barber, M·A·C Creative Director of Makeup Artistry, shares his perspective on the Pearl Skin trend.
EXPLORE MORE M·A·C TREND