How To Do 'Dolphin Skin' – AKA The Hottest Trend Right Now

Makeup Trends

Dolphin Skin

If you (like the rest of the world) have been obsessed with dewy skin, get ready to fall in LOVE with the latest trend that’s taken the beauty-sphere by storm: dolphin skin. It’s the ultimate combination of yoga and glass skin… Wet-looking glossy skin, that literally looks as smooth as a dolphin – hence the name! It’s luxe, sexy, and perfect for summer. Here’s everything you need to know about the trend, and more importantly, all of the inside secrets to help you achieve the look at home.

 

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The Dolphin Skin Trend

The trend was coined by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips whose clientele includes Hailey, Kendall, and Priyanka. In short: it’s skin so glossy, it looks wet to the touch. Imagine, you’ve just emerged from crystal blue waters, and the sun hits your face and glistens like a diamond. Think Halley Berry in 007 – that’s the vibe!

How to Achieve Dolphin Skin

@hudabeautyHow to get Dolphin Skin 🐬 ##hudabeauty ##foryou ##foryourpage ##foryoupage ##makeup ##beauty ##dolphinskin♬ original sound – hudabeauty

According to Glamour UK to achieve dolphin skin, Mary uses a combination of ICONIC London products. She begins by using the “ICONIC London’s Prep-Set-Glow, $25, and Illuminator for a fresh, glowy look that won’t budge,” she says. Then, Mary recommends the Sheer Blush, $26, to add a “sheer gloss of color to the cheekbone, to add to the dewy wet glow.”

If you search the trend on Instagram, you’ll be greeted with an array of makeup tutorials from influencers and MUAs using the aforementioned ICONIC products. However, to get the look, you can use any glow-getting formulas you can find. In fact, you should layer as many as possible! Here are our tips…

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Prep + Prime The Skin

As with any skin-focused makeup look, skincare prep is crucial. First and foremost, to remove any dead skin that’s blocking your skin and making it look dull, use a gentle exfoliator like the Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39. Not only does it buff away excess skin but it also brightens the complexion, leaving you with a radiant glow. Follow with an ultra-hydrating serum and moisturizer – our fave combination right now is the Peach and Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum, $39, and the Matcha Pudding Antioxidant Cream, $40.

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Next, prime the skin with a radiance primer like the L’Oréal Studio Secrets Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer, $13. This will create a seamless base for makeup application by diminishing the appearance of pores and imperfections, which will help you achieve that dolphin-skin quality!

Our Huda Beauty Priming Hack: Our go-to hack, which is perfect for this look is using our N.Y.M.P.H Not. Your. Mama’s. Panty. Hose. Body Highlighter, $49, as a primer  – it leaves your skin looking SO glowy! Although be warned, you look a little crazy at first but once you’ve applied your foundation on top, your skin looks dewy AF.

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Highlight Everywhere!

As you’d expect, the most essential product for this makeup look is highlighter. A crème or liquid highlighter is ideal as the formula will blend more seamlessly than a powder, for a smoother skin finish.

Our go-to crème highlighter is the Melted Strobe in the Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette, $45, the glow lasts all day long! We also love the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops, $15, the liquid literally melts into your skin. Plus, the cool-toned pearls are perfect for this wet look. Alternatively, if you prefer powder highlighter, the Jaclyn Cosmetics Beaming Light Loose Highlighter, $24, is the bomb. The super-fine powder delivers an intense yet buildable, wet-shine finish.

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With this look, don’t limit your highlighter application to your cheekbones. Apply highlighter wherever the sun would hit; above and below the brow bone, the bridge and the tip of your nose, along the Cupid’s bow, and on the center of your chin. Finally, work the highlighter along your collar bone and the shoulder bones for a sexy skin finish.

Once you’ve applied your chosen highlighter, take note from celeb MUA Alexx Mayo and grab a lightweight face oil. “For an extra glow, I use a face oil on the high planes of the face for a finishing touch.”

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The Ultimate Finishing Touch

Last but not least, drown your skin in a glistening, hydrating mist like our new Glow Coco Hydrating Mist, $35. The 3-in-1 super fine mist primes, hydrates, and sets while creating a beautiful, dewy glow that locks your makeup in place all day long. Plus, the milky spray is infused with coconut water, coconut milk, and a drop of coconut oil to hydrate, soothe, soften and balance the skin – without leaving a greasy residue.

Even without the previous steps by simply setting your makeup with Glow Coco Hydrating Mist you’ll achieve dolphin skin in seconds! You can also use it to prime prior to makeup application, however, be sure to wait 30 seconds before applying your foundation.

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Wear It With… 

To complete the look, opt a high shine lip gloss as modeled by Adut Akech. Our Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydra-plumping Lip Balm, $21, is perfect. The hydrating formula is infused with a blend of Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, Soybean, and Licorice Extract that provides a subtle plumping effect. Alternatively, we also love the e.l.f Jelly Pop Juicy Gloss, $5, which is available in three rosy shades.

Do you like dolphin skin? Let us know in the comments below.