The "Butter Skin" Trend Is Basically a Cheat Code for Effortless Glowy Makeup

I haven't touched setting powder in months and it's been years since I even considered applying a matte foundation. I don't think it's just me—it's a sign of the times. Whether you have dry skin or oily skin (or something in-between), a glowing finish has been every beauty enthusiast’s goal for a while now. From K-beauty-inspired "glass skin" to its latest iteration "butter skin", our fascination with the pursuit for a radiant complexion shows no sign of disappearing any time soon.

As someone with a typically oily skin type and acne-prone complexion, true 'glass skin' can sometimes feel a bit jarring. After all, I spent most of my teens attempting to remove any hint of shine from my face—which is why the slightly dialled-down 'butter skin' trend appeals to me. "Unlike the ultra-dewy glass skin trend, butter skin has a more natural, satin-like finish - hydrated and glowing but never overly shiny," says Anna Payne, Chanel makeup artist. “The butter skin makeup trend is all about achieving a smooth, creamy, and radiant complexion that looks as soft and even as butter."

For me, 'butter skin' starts with the hard work of my skincare routine, my toner, serum, and moisturiser. But sometimes I need that extra help to amp up the glow and ensure it lasts all day long, which is where hydrating makeup products come into play—products that deliver pigment but with a healthy dose of dew and sheen. Glow is no longer an optional add-on, delivered via the quick swipe of a highlighter stick, it's the expectation—and everything from your foundation and blusher to your bronzer and lipstick will provide it.

What's more, hydrating makeup products will actually deliver benefits to your skin. "Hydrating makeup products boost moisture, leaving skin smooth, plump, and naturally radiant. They provide a dewy finish and prevent dryness," explains Payne. "They're excellent for dry, dehydrated, and mature skin as they provide moisture, prevent flakiness, and create a smooth, plump dewy appearance, but they also work well for normal and combination skin, especially in colder months or when a dewy finish is desired."

To make hydrating makeup last all day while keeping skin glowing, Payne recommends starting with a lightweight moisturiser. "Apply makeup in thin layers using a makeup sponge for a seamless finish," she adds. As for powder, she advises using a light translucent one only where needed in order to prevent excess shine while still maintaining radiance.

What ingredients should you look out for in hydrating makeup products?

You're probably already aware of the names of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane, which you'll have spotted on the packaging of your favourite hydrating serums and moisturisers. Alongside other key hydrating ingredients like ceramides, polyglutamic acid, and vitamin E, you'll find the same ones included with the formula of hydrating makeup products. This means your makeup is working overtime to hydrate and nourish your skin throughout the day.

The Best Hydrating Makeup Products

Base Makeup:

If you've ever noticed your makeup looking flaky or peeling throughout the day, this is a sign that your skin is on the dry side or may be dehydrated. Essentially, your skin is attempting to absorb the moisture from your makeup. A hydrating skincare routine is key, but prepping your skin with a hydrating primer and using a hydrating foundation formula can also help to prevent this from happening.

Blusher:

The key to achieving glowing skin via every step in your makeup routine is to avoid powder formula and opt instead for creams and liquids. Not only will these formulas leave a dewy, natural finish that doesn't cling to or emphasise dry patches or textured skin, but they're usually packed with hydrating ingredients as well.

Bronzer:

Likewise, a hydrating bronzer will add warmth and depth to your complexion without a powdery or cakey finish. What's more, cream and liquid formulas are usually much easier to apply and look more natural than their powder counterparts.

Eye Makeup:

You might not even have considered the need for hydrating eye makeup, but the eyelids are one of the most common areas for facial dryness. Why? Because the skin is thin, delicate, and there are fewer oil glands in this area. A soft, creamy eyeshadow will apply smoothly and won't settle into fine lines or appear flaky on your eyelids.

Lips:

Our lips are also prone to dryness, but while in the past you nay have needed to tag team a lip balm and a lipstick, these days there are plenty of multitasking lip products that combine pigment with a nourishing, moisture-packed formula.