What is “laminated skin”? Here’s how you can achieve this next-level glow

Sweaty, greasy skin doesn’t look very flattering. Many of us turn to oil blotters to sop up excess sebum and shine, but it isn’t easy to get rid of the gleam completely, especially in our humid climate.

Well, what if we told you that your sweaty skin is now a beauty trend? Enter “laminated skin”, a new complexion trend that’s all about creating a next-level glow.

What is “laminated skin”?

We’re accustomed to glowy skin trends where we use products like highlighters or glitters on our cheekbones and nose bridges to get an illuminated effect. “Laminated skin”, on the other hand, drenches your entire face in a sweaty sheen.

Imagine you just went for a jog or took a quick dip in the pool – that’s what the “laminated skin” looks like!

It’s similar to “jello skin“, “glazed doughnut skin” in a way that it enhances your natural skin tone while keeping it glazed. All these looks try to achieve a dewy shine that coats the skin.

Because of our hot weather, sweaty skin is already a common occurrence so this is a huge advantage. However, the sweat and oils we produce sometimes make us look overly greasy, while “laminated skin” is all about a slight, natural shine.

Here’s how you can achieve “laminated skin”, no matter your skin type!

How to get “laminated skin”

Step 1: Ace your base

Regardless of skin type, your main products will be the same across the board. First, you should start with a sheer and dewy foundation.

Take a look in your makeup cabinet and eliminate any foundations that have a thick consistency and matte finish. Pick products that are thinner and lighter in texture.

Step 2: Shape your face

We usually apply blush after foundation, but to achieve this look, we’ll be omitting blush entirely.

The pigmentation from blush will remove the clean sweaty effect that the “laminated skin” is trying to achieve. So to shape your face, we’ll be using cream contours or even eyeshadows.

It might sound funny to use eyeshadows to shape your face but if you use a thin slanted brush to apply neutral eyeshadow shades that are only slightly lighter than your skin tone, they’ll work just the same as your regular contours.

Whether you use contour or eyeshadow, pick one with a buttery texture. This consistency will give you a seamless and smoother shine. Contour around the details of your face like your cheekbones and nose bridge to create subtle, natural-looking shadows.

Lastly, you can use the contour or eyeshadow to shape your eyes too. Dab it onto a dense round brush and apply it around your eye to create a small “stain”. This will give your eyes slightly more depth in a natural way.

Step 3: The finishing touches

The last step is the grand finale of “laminated skin”. The key to getting that extra dewy look would be to spritz on a generous amount of setting mist.

You want to pick a setting spray that promises an ultra-dewy finish and go to town with it.

Don’t be afraid to spray in excess because this look is all about the wet-shine finish. Let the setting spray sink in a bit and don’t top it off with a setting powder.

Just like that, you’re done with the routine for “laminated skin”. However, as we mentioned before, some of you might be concerned that you aren’t able to pull this look off because of your skin type. Read on to find out how to tweak these steps to suit your skin type!

How to get “laminated skin” with acne-prone skin

The first step would be to tweak the base before your foundation. We recommend avoiding products that have an oily base. Instead, go for a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser.

This base will help to prime your skin and since it’s oil-free, it will protect your skin from breaking out even more.

Always remember to go as light as possible. Whatever products you include in your makeup routine should be lightweight and gentle because you don’t want to emphasise uneven skin texture.

Other than these exceptions, you can follow the original steps above.

How to get “laminated skin” with oily skin

“Laminated skin” trending is a huge win if you have oily skin. You don’t have to tailor the routine too much since it aims to emphasise the oily sheen that you already have.

You might be used to using powders or reapplication rounds when you’re out and about but we want to remind you that there is no need for any of these. Embrace your oily skin and let it work naturally with the steps we’ve mentioned above.

However, you should also exercise trial and error. If you’re someone that produces a lot of facial oils and find it uncomfortable when doing the original steps of “laminated skin”, you can always reduce the amount of setting spray you should be using for the final touch.

Experiment and adjust according to your preference! If you feel that your natural oils are too thick and uncomfortable, you can dab your face gently with a piece of tissue paper before reapplying your setting mist.

As promised, finding the right products might be complicated, so we’re here to help you by sharing our compiled list.

Products you need to get “laminated skin”

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Active Soothing Moisturiser

Bioderma is known for its lightweight products that can soothe and protect your skin so it’s no surprise that its newest moisturiser is on the list.

If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you can use this moisturiser as a base to protect your skin from breaking out and ruining the “laminated skin” look.

Carnosine and vitamin E can give you protective antioxidants, tetrapeptide-10 will strengthen your skin barrier, and anti-inflammatory red sage polyphenols can soothe the skin.

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Active Soothing Moisturiser retails for S$39.90 at Watsons.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

You get to enhance your complexion without applying a thick layer of product on your face with this liquid foundation.

It has a glowing, radiant finish that delivers sheer coverage so it will do the job when you’re trying the “laminated skin” look.

Plus, it’s formulated with NARS’ original Complexion Brightening Formula so your skin will feel hydrated, softer, and smoother.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for S$75 at Sephora.

M.A.C Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

When this foundation gets absorbed, your skin will look extra-laminated and moisturised.

It is ultra-light with a sheer, buildable veil of coverage that has a natural radiant glow. Plus, it will give your skin an extra boost in hydration for that dewy texture.

This foundation is also waterproof, which makes it resistant to all the setting sprays you’ll be applying and the natural facial oils.

M.A.C Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation retails for S$35 (120ml) and S$27 (50ml) at M.A.C.

EXCEL Skin Tint Serum SPF 28 PA++

With an added bonus of SPF protection, this skin tint will protect your skin from harmful UV rays while giving you a lovely dewy finish.

This skin tint serum is lightweight and can blur all your blemishes for a natural-looking finish.

And because it is infused with moisture-retaining ingredients, you’ll be getting an ultra-hydrated look with the perfect sheerness.

EXCEL Skin Tint Serum SPF 28 PA++ retails for S$21.97 at Yesstyle.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer

Creamy and soft to the touch, this bronzer will melt right into your skin to give you soft yet defined contouring.

Because of its formula, it’s easy to blend so you won’t get over-the-top shading which will clash with the natural look of “laminated skin”.

It has a silky smooth pay-off that will give you a shine but won’t add any grease so you’ll feel comfortable throughout the day. And because it is water-resistant, it won’t melt away when you spritz on your setting mist.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer retails for S$51 at Sephora.

M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot

Even though it is used initially as an eyeshadow, this product can double up as a contour.

It is a highly-pigmented eyeshadow that is creamy to the touch but has an intense finish once it settles.

M.A.C has formulated this with their innovative second skin-like formula, so that the creamy eyeshadow blends smoothly on your skin without looking heavy.

M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot retails for S$46 at Sephora.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist

You’re really killing four birds with one stone when you use this spray. It is a glow-boosting mist that hydrates, primes, sets, and refreshes your skin.

Its biphase formula is infused with a botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily to help soothe and calm your skin, making it perfect for any skin type.

Furthermore, it features niacinamide which tightens your pores, and sodium hyaluronate to plump and hydrate your skin.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist retails for S$40 at Sephora.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray

Just as the name says, this setting spray will give you a dewy finish that looks oh-so ethereal.

With its water-based formula, it will give you a healthy-looking shine even if you have dry skin. So go ahead and douse your face in this product for the full effect.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray retails for S$51 at Sephora.

A’PIEU Born To Be Madproof Make Up Setting Spray

If you’re concerned about your complexion being a bit too oily for the “laminated skin” trend, this setting spray will absorb some of the excess sebum on your skin.

Sebum is an oily and slightly waxy substance that is produced by your skin cells. If you have oily skin, sebum is probably what is causing your face to feel thick and greasy. However, since this spray absorbs sebum, it can help moderate your shine.

Furthermore, it contains low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid which will hydrate your skin for a comfortable feel and a slightly shiny appearance.

A’PIEU Born To Be Madproof Make Up Setting Spray retails for S$21.74 at Yesstyle.

Featured image credit:  @__pauletteo/TikTok, @tammyyin/TikTok, and @flaviamascarenhasg/TikTok