Meghan Markle's makeup artist just discovered a more wearable alternative to Pat McGrath's Glass Skin Mask
"It just adds this radiance to the skin, that doesn't look like makeup"
Usually when we're looking for a dupe it's because the original is either too expensive (like Dior's viral lip oil), always out of stock, or not stocked in Australia at all *cough* Rhode *cough*. However, occasionally there are outliers in the category, like Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Glass 001 Artistry Mask ($66 from Pat McGrath Labs).
Dubbed 'glass skin in a bottle' by McGrath, this stuff emulates the Internet-halting makeup the industry veteran created for the Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2024 runway show in Paris. But just like the runway show, McGrath and her team created an artistry product with skin care benefits. Meaning for all intents and purposes, this stuff wears like an aloe vera face pack, that cracks and peels off once it's dried down.
McGrath more recently launched the Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Glass 001 Legendary Glow Setting Spray ($66 from Pat McGrath Labs), which has been formulated to leave skin with an editorial glass-like shine that won't crack if you move your face. However, the more you apply, the more your skin will transform from a wet-look sheen to a high-shine plastic.
But what if you're after a more wearable option — something that offers a glass skin finish that you can still wear comfortably at the office everyday for example? Well, Meghan Markle's makeup artist Daniel Martin, thinks he's discovered just that.
The best Pat McGrath Glass Skin dupes
1/ Live Tinted Hueglow
from $75.24 at Cult Beauty
"I used it on Meghan for an event and it just gives your skin this beautiful — it's like when Pat McGrath did the whole mask that just made skin look like glass. It's that, but in a beauty product," celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin shared with the hosts of the Gloss Angeles podcast.
"I used it on Meghan's body, Meghan's face, because it just adds this radiance to the skin, that doesn't look like makeup," he explained. "There's a few shades, and I think I used 'Golden Hour' on Meghan."
"I add it to foundation too, if I want to add a bit of radiance, because the texture feels like skin care," he continued. "It's very compatible with makeup. Sometimes with makeup, things can get too shiny if [a product is] shimmery. [Live Tinted Hueglow ($75.24 from Cult Beauty) is] like a lacquer, because it's clear, but there's no makeup in it."
Key features:
Available in three shades (Dawn, Dusk, and Golden Hour)
Serum-moisturiser-highlighter hybrid formula
Infused with squalane and botanical extracts
All-over complexion perfecter
Subtle micro-shimmer finish
Available at:
- $75.24 from Cult Beauty
2/ Saie Glowy Super Gel
from $47.52 at Cult Beauty
Funnily enough, this Pat McGrath Glass Skin dupe is another favourite of Meghan Markle's, but you've probably also spotted it in Bella Hadid's recent Vogue Beauty Secrets segment. The model likes to layer the illuminator over the top of her tinted moisturiser for an all over glow, but it can also be used as a makeup primer, mixed with foundation, or applied to the high points of the face as a highlighter.
Key features:
Enriched with vitamin C, papaya seed oil, glycerin and squalane
Fluid-gel texture
Multipurpose formula
Can be used as an illuminator under or over makeup, as a glowy mixing medium, or as a highlighter on the high points of the face
Available at:
- $47.52 from Cult Beauty
3/ Dasique Water Veil Primer
from $31.15 at Beauty Amora
We can't talk about glass skin without mentioning a K-Beauty find like this skin care infused makeup primer from Dasique. This dupe feels more like an extension of a skin care routine than it does a makeup product, but that's why we like it so much. If you don't typically wear a lot of makeup, but still want to imitate Pat's signature glass skin glow, then the honey flower complex and hyaluronic acid infused formula should be right up your alley.
Key features:
Infused with honey flower complex and hyaluronic acid
Hydrates dry skin
Improves the longevity of makeup
Lightweight, non-greasy finish
Available at:
- $31.15 from Beauty Amora
- $31.70 from YesStyle
4/ Etude Nymph Aura Volumer
from $19.10 at Stylevana
If Dasique's Water Veil Primer is a little too safe for you, then we suggest giving Etude's Nymph Aura Volumer a go. This product truly blows our mind. For one the glass finish on this stuff is unreal, but it also never looks unnatural. It reflects light like a still body of water, but it also never looks shiny or greasy. Plus, the primer is enriched with hyaluronic acid, argan oil and avocado oil, which nourishes and hydrates skin, as well as prepping it for makeup.
Key features:
Infused with hyaluronic acid, argan oil and avocado oil
Nourishes and hydrates skin
Can be applied under makeup
Light-reflective, watery, glass-skin finish
Available at:
5/ Haus Labs By Lady Gaga Bio-Radiant™ Glassy Balm Highlighter Stick in 'Pure Glass'
from $52 at Sephora
When I first had the opportunity to try this balmy highlighter from Haus Labs I compared it to Chanel's Baume Essential ($83 from David Jones), however I prefer the price and size of Lady Gaga's invention just a tad more. Plus, Chanel's transparent multi-purpose balm is gorgeous, but it doesn't have the same level of glass-like shine as Haus Labs, which is what aligns it so perfectly with Pat McGrath's Glass Skin makeup range.
Key features:
Infused with sea fennel extract, wakame extract, and hyaluronic acid
Glossy, glass-like shine finish
Can be applied over makeup or skin care
To be used as a highlighter on the high points of the face
Available at:
6/ Isamaya Face Glaze
from $57 at MECCA
Given the levels of excitement of MECCA customers when Isamaya Beauty launched into the Australian retailer in April, you might have to wait a while to get your hands on this waitlist only product, but we promise it'll be worth the wait. Designed to be used in a myriad of ways, this translucent gel-based balm can be smoothed over lips, tapped onto lids, or melted onto the high points of the face for a glossy, glass-like glow.
Key features:
Infused with brown algae extract, phyto collagen activator, and a crystalline gel base
Multipurpose formula can be used all over the face
Dewy, glossy, glass-like finish
Plumps, hydrates and nourishes skin
Available at:
-
$57 from MECCA
7/ One Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray
from $64 at Sephora
Ever applied too much setting powder and wished desperately that you had the power to go back in time and undo your mistake? Boy, do we have great news for you. One Size has managed to formulate a setting spray that actually melts face powder, leaving skin with an unreal glass-finish shine. As someone who feels ridiculous wearing a lot of makeup, I love that I can play with a full coverage look without having to sacrifice the dewy, skin-like finish that I love.
Key features:
Infused with a ceramide complex, lime pearl extract, and ginger flower water
Skin care infused, hydrating setting spray formula
Melts powder
Radiant, glass-like finish
Improves the longevity of makeup
Available at:
-
$64 from Sephora
Main image credit: Getty Images
No glass skin makeup look is complete without the right skin care routine — this is how to achieve flawless skin without makeup.
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
