What is ‘Dolphin Skin’? Everything You Need To Know About The Latest Highlighter Craze
Saudi beauty expert Enas Mansoor shares her tips on how to perfect the hottest beauty look of the summer
Already a favourite of the region’s beauty community ‘Dolphin Skin’ – as its been coined by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips – has taken Instagram by storm. It appears to be the latest highlighter craze makeup fanatics are using to make their skin look glowing and smooth. The technique involves applying highlighter to make one’s complexion appear plump and hydrated, while giving a youthful look to the face.
Saudi beauty expert Enas Mansoor shares her tips and tricks with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia on how to achieve ‘Dolphin Skin’, stating that the look “… revolves around getting the look of ultra-hydrated skin. Although the idea may not look completely new as it is similar to the dewy makeup look, it does come with some differences in technique and result.”
She answers all our questions about the new technique here…
How can one get smooth, glowing ‘Dolphin Skin’?
Of course, the answer depends on your skin type, the products you use and how you prepare your skin.
“The most important step is to prepare the skin well, to get a great result you need to exfoliate,” Enas says. She recommends applying moisturizer to your face before you begin. “Remember to be weary of oily moisturisers, stick to liquid and creamy products and avoid powder during the make-up application process” she adds.
The look of ‘Dolphin Skin’ is similar to ‘Glass Skin’, which emerged from the Korean beauty scene last year, which also focuses on a smooth complexion rooted in your skincare routine and skillfull highlighter application.
The Saudi beauty expert reinforces that “…you don’t have to have flawless skin to perfect this look, the idea of dolphin skin revolves around giving a natural brightness and the light reflection on the skin, thus obtaining a natural glowing complexion.”
What products are needed to recreate the look?
Lucky for those of us who never tire on their quest for glowing skin, Enas Mansoor explains her method for creating the perfect look.
“After preparing the skin, we start layering glowing and shiny products by applying a luminous primer (Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating from Laura Mercier) followed by a liquid glowing foundation cream. After, add drops of liquid highlighter (Make-up Forever’s Reboot Foundation with Mac Cosmetics Strobe Face Glaze).” If, like many of us, you have dark circles, Enas adds “…it is recommended to use a little Flawless Fusion Liquid Concealer by Laura Mercier and blend it well into the skin.”
Following this, “apply liquid blush (Orgasm Blush from Nars) and lip gloss (Unreal high shine volumizing lip gloss by Hourglass). Next, the most important step is liquid lighting (Born to Glow) on the prominent facial bones such as the cheeks, highest point on the bridge of the nose, tip of the nose, between the eyebrows, under the eyebrows, middle of the forehead, the chin, inner corners of the eyes and above the upper lip” to name a few. And finally, “finish the look off with a brightening boost with a sitting spray (Pinklite from MAC Cosmetics) to complete enhance your radiant complexion”.
Enas Mansoor stresses the importance of avoiding the use of powder when trying to achieve ‘Dolphin Skin’, while also recommending to staying away from products that contain large particles of glitter. With that in mind you’ll be all set for the rest of 2020 with a dolphin-like complexion.
Lead Image Courtsey of Instagram / @hala.mja
