Is Dolphin Skin the Next Biggest Beauty Trend?
Never imagined Flipper would ever become a beauty icon? Well it is 2021. Literally anything can happen! And right now on social media, 'dolphin skin' is what's happening.
Originally coined by celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, who works with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, dolphin skin looks dewy, silky, and glassy. The kind of skin Hailey Bieber's always in. So jealous!!!
Want to know how to achieve the slippery smooth cheeks of your favorite marine mammal? We're here to show you how.
WHAT IS DOLPHIN SKIN?
"Dolphin skin is a beauty term that’s being used to describe a glistening, hydrated, ‘fresh out of the water’ makeup look," explains Phillips. "Dolphins are known for their smooth, plump, reflective skin, so I think it’s a perfect, fun way to describe this aesthetic."
Your face should look glowy, wet, and plump. Like you just stepped out of the ocean, gleaming like a dolphin.
"It's all about building and enhancing dimension on the skin focusing on the high points such as the brow bones, the cupid's bow and most importantly, the cheekbones," says makeup artist Lisa Caldognetto. You need to layer highlighter over the high points of your face for the perfect dolphin-like wet look. Think cheekbones and the bridge of the nose!
While you can use skin makeup like illuminators, tint, and liquid highlighter to glisten like a dolphin, you don't need it. Glowing skin can also be achieved with a few hydrating and brightening skincare products. Even better: a dolphin skin skincare routine!
HOW TO GET DOLPHIN SKIN
When it comes to achieving the dewy skin of a dolphin, the most important step is making sure your skin is healthy and hydrated. Here are some steps (and products!) we recommend using for nailing the beauty trend. Besides making your skin look instantly glowier, these steps will also provide the best possible skin prep for makeup application.
- Exfoliation
If you're trying to acquire that glass skin appearance of dolphins, start by making exfoliation a key part of your routine. Exfoliation, whether through chemical of physical means, sloughs away dead skin cells, rids the skin of oil and grime, and stimulates cell turnover for a smoother, translucent surface.
For a physical exfoliant, we recommend our Matcha Face Scrub, which blends soothing matcha with invigorating dead sea salt and vitamin A for an even skin tone and smoother texture.
Prefer a chemical exfoliant? Try our CBD Jelly Toning Solution which relies on glycolic acid to enhance skin radiance.
Just be careful not to over-exfoliate, as this can irritate the skin and cause adverse effects. Stick to exfoliating 1-2 times a week for best results.
- Retinol Serum
Next up, you'll want to invest in a high quality retinol serum like Truly's Purple Rain Serum to give your skin that trending dewy look.
"Retinol addresses anti-aging concerns like wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dryness," says Cara Peloso, a facialist at New York City's CAP Beauty. "It'll also help with preventing breakouts, clogged pores, and post-inflammatory pigmentation from blemishes that are healing."
Any dermatologist would advise adding a retinoid into your current skincare regimen for improved skin. Once again, avoid overusing it as retinol is a very potent skincare ingredient that may cause skin redness and flaking when overused.
- Hydration
Hydrated skin is dewy, dolphin skin. If you want to follow this skincare trend, start by investing in a nourishing moisturizer.
You can't achieve super-luminous skin if your complexion is dry and parched. Every good skincare routine comprises of a lightweight, non-greasy daily moisturizer to keep skin healthy and glowing.
We recommend our Cream Skin Face Cream, which blends hyaluronic acid with sea kelp for ultra-intense hydration. These two ingredients work together to plump out fine lines and wrinkles, seal in moisture, and leave skin with a glowing, radiant finish. This face moisturiser can be tolerated by all skin types and should be used twice a day, morning and night, for optimum results.
- Sleep (Lots of it!)
Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Chrissy Teigen ... they all have radiant skin. So what's their secret? First, great skincare products. And second, sufficient sleep! Okay, so the latter might not be completely true. Those ladies work really long hours! But beauty sleep is definitely no myth!
Getting eight hours of shut eye each night can work wonders both for your skin and your mind. Ever noticed how your skin glows when you've slept in at the weekend? That's down to sleep! So if you're looking for the cheapest, easiest trick in the book for boosting your glow, start snoozing asap!
Besides sleep, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly helps. These are all ways to improve your blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote skin repair -- all factors that can significantly improve the appearance of your skin.
- Sunscreen
Daily SPF protection is fundamental in achieving dolphin skin.
If your skin is exposed to sun without any protection, you're exposing it to the damaging effects of UV rays which can cause premature aging, such as fine lines and dark spots. To keep skin smooth and youthful, use a daily sunscreen containing a minimum SPF of 30. Go above that if you have fair skin.
If you have acne-prone skin, choose a sunscreen especially formulated for the face. Those universal sunscreens may clog your pores and cause breakouts.
- Layer Products Properly
Last but not least, you want to make sure you're layering your skin care products properly in order to reap the most benefits and achieve that dreamy dolphin dewiness.
As a rule of thumb, always start with the thinnest consistency products and work your way up to the thickest. So cleanser, toner, exfoliator, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen.
And if you plan on applying makeup, make it your final step in the routine.
Ready to look silky, wet, and radiant? Like a dolphin fresh out of clear ocean waters? Turns out, it's not that difficult. Just follow our tips and you'll be drenched in ocean dewiness.
