RIP, dewy! These celebrities are plotting a matte makeup comeback – see pics
Ever since Hailey Bieber, the high priestess of dew, decreed “glazed donut skin” to be in, matte makeup began to feel a bit sartorially questionable. The fashion world only confirmed what TikTok already knew and rarely has a model sashayed down the catwalk over the past few years without wet-look, moisture-saturated skin.
But it seems the high-key sheen we've dialled up with highlighter and eye glosses has begun to dim if the beauty looks on the front row at Paris Fashion Week are anything to go by.
The oversight has been corrected by Taylor Hill at the Balmain show where everything from the swoosh of elongated kohl eyeliner to her peach eyeshadow and lips was categorically matte.
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At Dior, Jennifer Lawrence looked like she'd stepped straight out of a '90s makeup ad with her taupe matte eyeshadow and satin-matte skin. Meanwhile, Anya Taylor-Joy mixed Matrix-style edginess with ethereal opaque coverage on the face and a slick of clear lip gloss.
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Jenna Ortega taught us there is no prettier texture combo than matte eyeshadow and semi-glossy lips and skin.
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While Vanessa Kirby at Chloe proved that a matte complexion doesn't automatically translate to full-coverage foundation and plentiful puffs of setting powder.
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Matte makeup sings a particular siren song in the colder months when it mirrors the cashmere-soft textures of our winter wardrobe. That said, modern matte couldn't be more different to the chalky, pore-suffocating powders of old.
As we've witnessed over the past few weeks, matte skin still looks nearly bare, but the shine-free finish is neutral rather than flat. In place of obvious sheen there's a velvety afterglow. Imagine how silk still reflects light but without being shiny, or how the Paris Instagram filter makes your skin look, and you get the picture.
As for how to wear matte on different skin types, oily skin types may have to go matte from the moment their moisturiser hits their skin, before applying primer as an undercoat to a matte foundation. While dry skin types can lean on a feather-light dusting of setting powder down the T-Zone to tap into the matte makeup trend.
“A modern way to wear matte texture across the face is to think monochromatic,” explains makeup artist Neil Young. “Begin with the focus feature and build the makeup around it using tonally similar shades on the eyes, lips and cheeks.”
Matte skin doesn't mean swerving highlighter altogether, either - but do stick to powder versions.
If you're ready for matte makeup to become the LBD of your beauty repertoire again, these are the products to try:
L'Oreal Parus Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Rouge Determinance, £9.99, Look Fantastic
For more from Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Acting Associate Beauty Director, follow her on @fiembleton.
