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Barely there and pared down are two phrases that have become synonymous with makeup trends over the last few years. Even the celebrity set has pulled back to a less dramatic look. But while these styles are certainly a far cry from the full coverage beats that ruled the industry prior, they pale in comparison to the latest trend taking over social media. Satin skin—a look that celebrates the natural nuances of skin—has swept the internet for good reason.
Instead of heavy layers and intense underpainting contours, it focuses on healthy, radiant skin with a satin finish. In terms of makeup, satin is a complicated finish to describe. Not particularly dewy and far from matte, it has a soft appearance that’s unfussy and organic. Below, we chatted with two makeup artists to get the scoop on why satin skin has become so beloved and how to achieve the look, including their top product recommendations.
Featured experts
- Carmindy Kathryn Bowyer is a makeup artist and founder of Carmindy Beauty Cosmetics
- Emily Gray is a celebrity makeup artist
What exactly is satin skin?
“The satin skin trend is all about creating a soft and radiant look with just the right amount of glow,” says makeup artist Carmindy Kathyrn Bowyer. In other words, it’s the perfect happy medium—not too matte and not too dewy. Unlike the two common finishes that fall on either side of the extreme, satin skin offers a luminous look that’s natural and effortless. In that vein, it’s easy to see why it has recently become a buzzy topic in the industry. With the shift to more uncontrived beauty looks, like subtle bangs and blonzing, satin skin fits right in.
It’s no secret that pared-down makeup has been at the forefront of beauty trends, but the rise of satin skin says a lot about where the makeup trends are headed. According to Bowyer, its popularity stems from one general thought: fatigue. “Contour and layering have been the core of some of the industry’s top trends. Many makeup looks have emphasized thick and heavy layers, and achieving the look has become exhausting,” she says. With that, she adds that the satin skin trend is getting back to makeup that allows skin to look like skin, not a mask.
How to achieve satin skin
While other trends focus on creating a flawless finish, satin skin opts to put your best skin front and center. This means that the first step to achieving the look is going to be skin prep. “Proper skin care is the essence here and will be key to making your skin appear as smooth and healthy as possible—think of how your skin looks post-facial,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Gray. To prep your skin, she recommends starting with a gentle cleanser and following with a lightweight moisturizer to hydrate and lock in moisture. Bowyer adds that incorporating weekly exfoliation and glycolic peels can ensure that your skin is consistently at its freshest. Consistency is also vital to maintaining the satin skin look. Sticking to a schedule of treatments and products is your best bet.
It’s tempting to think that satin skin requires no makeup, but that’s where many people get tripped up. As a skin-focused trend, you want your skin to appear naturally flawless, and that requires a bit of coverage. “To achieve the luminous look, I like to use a glowy primer as the base and then add a sheer liquid foundation,” says Bowyer. According to Gray, this method gives the subtle radiance satin skin is known for and won’t leave you with a streaky look. To enhance the glow, the pros note that using a highlighter on the high points of the face, such as under the brows, inner corners of the eyes, and cheekbones, is ideal. “These areas will have a nice luminosity while the rest of the face stays soft,” says Bowyer.
Products to achieve satin skin
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