“Laminated skin” is trending on Tiktok now, and oily girls will love to hop on it

You’ve heard about “jello skin” and “mochi skin”. These are seen as a standard to attain when it comes to skin appearance and texture.

The latest trending look is known as “laminated skin”, a “sweaty” look that we never thought could work in Malaysia, considering how we’d blot away excess oil or clean away perspiration that we often get in our tropical climate.

Yes, it may sound weird, but give this a chance; read on and you know why it may actually be a good idea.

Related read: Mochi skin is Japan’s answer to glass skin and here’s why it should be our #skingoal and Here’s all you need to know about “jello skin”, TikTok’s latest K-beauty trend!

What is “laminated skin”?

We’re accustomed to glowy skin trends creating using products like highlighters or glitters on our cheekbones and nose bridges to get an illuminated effect.

The “laminated skin”, on the other hand, is a dewy shine that looks like you’ve just walked out of a gym class or finished a jog.

Even if you have oily complexion or acne-prone skin, it’s still possible to look good with laminated skin.

Let’s walk you through the steps to achieve the perfect “laminated skin”.

How to get “laminated skin”?

The base

A sheer and dewey foundation is the first step of the routine, regardless of your skin type. Pick a product that is lighter in consistency; skip the ones that have a matte finish or have thicker textures.

Shaping the face

While you may usually apply your blush at this point, blush is not required for this look as the pigment will reduce the clean, “sweaty” effect that you’d want to achieve.

To shape your face, use cream contours and eyeshadows instead to create a natural contoured look.

Finally, contour your eyelids to give your eyes a little more depth.

The finishing touch

For that extra dewy touch, use a generous amount of setting mist on your face. Pick a setting spray with an ultra-dewy finish and go to town with it.

Don’t be afraid to spray in excess because this look is all about the wet-shine finish. Let the setting spray sink in a bit and avoid using any setting powder or blotting paper to reduce any shine.

Now that you’ve nailed down the basic steps, read on to find out how to tweak these steps to suit your skin type!

How to get “laminated skin” with acne-prone skin?

If you have acne-prone skin, avoid using foundations with an oil base.

Additionally, if your skin breaks out, avoid frosted powders. Powders will only emphasise your bumps as it will gather around the uneven texture.

Go as light as possible. Whatever products you are including into your makeup routine should be lightweight and gentle because to avoid causing emphasis on your uneven skin texture.

Other than these exceptions to take note of, you can follow the original steps stated above.

How to get “laminated skin” with oily skin?

“Laminated skin” trending is a huge win if you have oily skin. You don’t have to tailor the routine too much since it aims to emphasise the oily sheen that you already have.

You might be used to using powders or blotting papers when you’re out and about, but there is no need for any of these. Embrace your oily skin and let it work naturally with the steps we’ve mentioned above.

However, you should also exercise trial-and-error. If you’re someone that produces a lot of facial oils and find it uncomfortable when doing the original steps of “laminated skin”, you can reduce the amount of setting spray you use for the final touch.

Experiment and adjust according to your preference! If you feel that your natural oils are too thick and uncomfortable, dab your face gently with a piece of tissue paper first before reapplying your setting mist.

Finding the right products might be difficult so we’re here to help by sharing our recommendations.

Products you’ll need to get “laminated skin”

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Active Soothing Moisturiser

Bioderma is known for its lightweight products that can soothe and protect your skin so it’s no surprise that a a moisturiser from this brand is in the list.

If you have acne-prone skin, use this moisturiser as a base to protect your skin from breaking out and ruining the “laminated skin” look.

Ingredients in the formula include carnosine and vitamin E, which give you protective antioxidants, tetrapeptide-10, which strengthens your skin barrier, and red sage polyphenols, which will give you a boost in anti-inflammation.

Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Active Soothing Moisturiser retails for RM45 at Watsons.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Enhance your complexion without applying a thick layer of product with this liquid foundation.

It has a glowing, radiant-finish with sheer coverage so it’ll do the job when you’re trying the “laminated skin” look.

Plus, it’s formulated with NARS’s original Complexion Brightening Formula so your skin will feel more hydrated, softer, and smoother.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for S$75 at Sephora.

M.A.C Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation

Ultra-light with a sheer buildable veil of coverage that has a natural radiant glow, this gives your skin an extra hydration boost for that dewy texture.

This foundation is also water-proof, which makes it resistant to all the setting sprays you’ll be applying and the natural facial oils you won’t be blotting away. This means that you’ll always have good coverage no matter the condition of your shine.

M.A.C Studio Radiance Face and Body Radiant Sheer Foundation retails for RM159 at M.A.C.

EXCEL Skin Tint Serum SPF 28 PA++

With an added SPF protection, this skin tint will protect your skin from harmful UV rays while giving you a lovely dewy finish.

This skin tint serum is lightweight and can blur all your blemishes for a natural-looking finish.

Furthermore, because it is infused with moisture-retaining ingredients, you’ll be getting an ultra-hydrated look with perfect sheerness.

EXCEL Skin Tint Serum SPF 28 PA++ retails for RM83.46 at Yesstyle.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer

Creamy and soft to the touch, this bronzer will melt right into your skin to give you soft yet defined contouring.

Because of its formula, it’s easy to blend so you won’t get over-the-top shading, which will clash with the sleekness of “laminated skin”.

It has a silky smooth pay-off that will give you a shine without adding on to any grease so you’ll feel comfortable throughout the day.

Additionally, because it is water-resistant, it won’t melt away when you spray on your setting mist.

Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer retails for S$51 at Sephora.

M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot

Even though it is originally used as an eyeshadow, this product can double up as a contour.

A highly pigmented eyeshadow that is super creamy, this has an intense finish once it dries down.

M.A.C has formulated this with their innovative second skin-like formula that blends smoothly into your skin upon application without a heavy or caked appearance.

Plus, it has a superior colour purity that will not streak or crease so you won’t be looking crusty.

M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot retails for RM108 at Sephora.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist

A few spritz of this product and you’ll get the “laminated skin” effect encompassing your face.

You’re really killing four birds with one stone when you use this spray; it is a glow-boosting mist that hydrates, primes, sets, and refreshes your skin.

It has bi-phase formula that is infused with a botanical blend of lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily to help soothe and calm your skin, making it perfect for any skin-type.

Furthermore, it features niacinamide which tightens your pores and sodium hyaluronate which moisturises so you’ll get plumper and smoother skin, perfect for the glow you’re going to get from this trend.

The best part about this setting spray is that you can use it as a base or over your makeup. If you do decide to layer it both under and over your foundation, you’ll get an extra boost in glow.

Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-In-1 Mist retails for RM118 at Sephora.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray

Just as the name says, this setting spray will give you a dewy finish that will look so ethereal when executing the “laminated skin” effect.

It has been formulated to seamlessly blend your foundation and contour together to give you a radiant finish that won’t look oily or cakey.

With its water-based formula, it will give you a healthy-looking shine even if you have dry skin. So go ahead and douse your face in this product to have the full “laminated effect”.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray retails for RM150 at Sephora.

A’PIEU Born To Be Madproof Make Up Setting Spray

For those with an oily complexion, keep an eye out for this setting spray.

If you’re concerned about your complexion being a bit too oily for the “laminated skin” trend, this setting spray will absorb some of the excess sebum on your skin.

Furthermore, it contains low-molecular-sized hyaluronic acid that will hydrate your skin for a comfortable sensation.

A’PIEU Born To Be Madproof Make Up Setting Spray retails for RM82.58 at Yesstyle.

Featured image credit: RODNAE Productions/Pexels and @__pauletteo/TikTok