If you haven’t caught a glimpse of the beauty phenomenon that was the Maison Margiela SS24 show in Paris, I think you’ve been doing social media wrong. As one of the most iconic beauty moments in history, the magic woven by Pat McGrath at the recent Margiela Artisanal show in Paris has everyone talking. While the silhouettes and absurdity of fashion were part of the appeal, the spectacle of the show had to be McGrath’s creation of mannequin-like, glassy radiant skin with not a pore visible.
McGrath, a celebrated MUA who has worked with the likes of Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus to Cardi B, is the mastermind behind the most talked-about beauty moment of the decade.
As she transformed models into ethereal beings with her “modern porcelain glass skin” technique she said in a video where she revealed the technique, “In my 35-plus years of beauty, I have never, ever seen a reaction like this. And it has blown me away how people have had such an emotional connection to these looks … it is one of the great pleasures of my life to be able to inspire in this way.”
The Magic Behind The Glass Skin
For days, internet sleuths tried to figure out what she used for this startling crystal effect on the skin. And after eight days of empty searches, she finally revealed the exact products she used in a TikTok live.
The formula, a blend crafted by McGrath and her team, fused four distinct peel-off masks—Freeman’s Cucumber Peel-Off Gel, Que Bella Pineapple Peel-Off (unavailable in India), Proot Calendula Peel-Off, and an undisclosed mask in a white bottle—with Skin Illustrator Clear Gloss (unavailable in India) and distilled water.
McGrath emphasised the experimental nature of combining these elements, aiming for a unique, glass-like sheen. The process involved applying eight layers of the mixture with an airbrush, each layer dried with a blow dryer. “With each layer, you got a vivid brightness,” says McGrath. She also described the development as a “scientific work in progress,” with the entire application taking two hours—not counting the concept phase which started at least three years prior.
Incorporating The Look Into Your Daily Routine
While the look was perfect for a dramatic Parisian unveiling of artistry, if you feel like replicating a toned-down version of this Pat McGrath has her own line of products designed to mimic that otherworldly glow.
“Skin Fetish cheek balm is ideal for creating a dewy, glass-like cheekbone finish,” she explained. “Play with just the balm or the highlighter and build up your shine. The Serum Foundation delivers a serum-like finish with great coverage and a buildable glow. Setting with the Blurring Powder will also give a beautiful mask-like finish. The glass-skin effect is so transformative. I want people to be able to experience that surreal luminosity in their daily beauty routine to feel confident, empowered, and illuminated from within.”
The secret is in layering and experimenting with the products to build up to the desired level of shine – a little less than what was on the runway but enough to make heads turn. But stay tuned – McGrath will soon be releasing a single product that will give you exactly the same look, saying “We will soon drop one product that will give you the perfect glass finish. It’s not quite ready, but it’s coming soon!”
Featured Images: Instagram
