Hold on…what does dolphin skin mean? Essentially, this look is about skin that’s slippery smooth, hyper-glowing, plump and hydrated…like you’ve just stepped out of crystal clear waters and are gleaming and glistening (more Bond girl than reality, then, but still a look you can achieve with the right skin care ritual and makeup products). Read on for our step by step guide to achieving dolphin skin this festive season.
Step 1: Exfoliate
This is a trend that works best on freshly exfoliated skin. Every day, dead skin cells, dirt and oil build up on the surface of your skin, which can leave it feeling and looking dull and dry. A gentle exfoliator removes this build-up, revealing newer, fresher, smoother and healthier-looking skin. Exfoliating also unclogs pores. Our pores can get clogged from a build-up of sebum (naturally occurring oil in our skin), as well as dirt and grime from pollution, sweat and general everyday life – which can lead to the appearance of spots (not the slippery smooth skin we’re after, then…).
Use our Daily Exfoliating Cream, our mild, creamy and non-granular face scrub that can be used on all skin types (it’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin).
Step 2: Hydrate
Every good skin care ritual is heavy on the hydration – and no dolphin skin makeup look would be complete without a hydrated base. After exfoliating, spray a few spritzes of your favourite face mist over your skin and allow it to sink in before applying a couple of drops of Activating Water Essence. This super hydrating face essence provides long-lasting hydration to the skin and also preps the skin, helping the products you apply afterwards (namely, your serum and moisturiser) to penetrate into the layers of your skin.
Step 3: Moisturise
Apply the right serum for your skin type and lock in all that moisture and benefits of the skin care products you’ve used so far in your ritual, with a hydrating moisturiser. For the ultimate in dolphin skin, use the Moisture Plus Rare Rose Lotion or Moisture Plus Rare Rose Gel Cream – both contain the extract of our exclusive Jurlique Rose, and deliver 24-hour hydration to the skin.*
Step 4: Add a Face Oil
A couple of drops of a high-performance oil can hydrate, smooth and soften your skin (hello fewer lines and wrinkles), and make it more resilient – not to mention give you an enviable glow. Face oils are nourishing and moisturising, supplementing the oil your skin already produces. They’re also hydrophobic, meaning they help to improve the skin’s natural barrier to seal in moisture (all excellent qualities for that coveted dolphin skin look).
We recommend mixing a couple of drops of Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Face Oil into your moisturiser. This blend is full of antioxidant-rich botanical oils (Grapeseed, Avocado and Rose Hip) that revitalise the complexion, and help minimise first signs of ageing and protect against environmental aggressors.
Step 5: Apply your makeup
Your skin should be glowing already but to take your festive dolphin skin look up a notch it’s time to apply your makeup. Start with a light, luminous coverage that has hydrating properties, add a cream blush and then dab a cream or balm based highlighter to the bridge and tip of your nose, cheekbones, temples and brow bones (note: powders won’t give you the same gleam as cream-based products).
For more Christmas inspiration, discover our Christmas Catalogue.
*Based on a corneometer study of 21 participants using Moisture Plus Rare Rose Lotion and Moisture Plus Rare Rose Gel Cream, after 24h