Metallic makeup looks that make you glow

Somewhere between soft glam and a disco ball lies the sweet spot of 2025’s most radiant beauty trend, metallic make-up. Not the full-throttle chrome of editorial catwalks, nor the subtle satins of no-makeup makeup, but something in between: think gold-flecked lids that catch the light just so, bronze highlighters that melt into skin, and lips so glossy they might just reflect your ring light back at you. This isn’t glow for glow’s sake, it’s strategy. Layered on the right skin, with the right prep and placement, shimmer becomes sophistication.

In the wake of minimalism’s grip on beauty, where matte finishes and monochrome ruled, metallics have strutted their way back into the conversation, bolder and more wearable than ever. According to Charlotte Tilbury, whose Hollywood Glow Glide Face Architect Highlighter launched to a 10,000-person wait list, “Women want to glow like never before, it’s about confidence, radiance, and lighting up your face with joy.”

Make-up artist Pat McGrath, the high priestess of pigment, also reaffirmed this shift toward multidimensional shine. “Lustrous metallics are no longer reserved for runways,” she said in an interview with Allure. “They belong in your clutch, whether you’re heading to brunch or the ballroom.”

And that’s the point, the new metallic isn’t loud. It’s luminous. It works with your skin’s natural tone, not against it. “It’s about choosing metals that flatter your undertone,” said Gucci Westman, founder of Westman Atelier. “Golds and bronzes look gorgeous on warmer complexions, while cooler skin tones glow in rose gold and champagne.”

If your go-to eye look has been a safe matte taupe, it’s time to lean into gleam. Gold lids are having their moment, not in a Cleopatra way, but more “breezy glam with edge.”

Dior’s Creative and Image Director for Makeup, Peter Philips, said in Harper’s Bazaar, “Gold is a universal tone. We used a lot of metallics in the Dior Cruise show, and it instantly added vibrancy to the models’ eyes, especially when paired with natural skin and minimal mascara.”

The key, Philips said, is layering textures. “Start with a cream metallic base, then tap a soft powder shimmer on top for depth. Blend well to avoid harsh lines, you want to glow, not glitter.”

For added dimension, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line offers the Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter in ‘Vintage Velour’, a rose-gold liquid that can double up as eyeshadow or cheek gleam.

“It’s meant to be seen from space,” Rihanna said with a wink in Glamour. “But you can dial it down too, I’m all about options.”

Warm, sun-kissed skin isn’t just for summer anymore. The metallic take on bronzing involves soft golds, caramels, and rich cinnamons layered over luminous skin.

“Think bronzer with benefits,” said make-up artist Hung Vanngo, whose signature glow graces the faces of Selena Gomez and Gisele Bündchen. “You want a finish that catches light, not just adds colour. It’s about sculpting with sheen.”

Chanel’s Les Beiges Healthy Glow Luminous Bronzing Cream, a cult-favourite that saw a spike in global sales post-2023, delivers just that. In Vogue, Chanel’s make-up artist Lucia Pica said, “It melts into skin and leaves a luminous veil, never patchy, always polished.”

Meanwhile, Lisa Eldridge, in an interview with Elle UK, advised layering: “Use a matte bronzer to shape, then add a sheer metallic powder on the high points of the face for radiance. That’s how you get a ‘lit from within’ glow that still defines the face.”

For desert-dwelling UAE readers, where the heat demands longer wear, a setting spray with subtle dew, like Hourglass Soft Focus Setting Spray, helps seal the glow without melting it.

Glossy lips have entered a renaissance, and metallic gloss is no longer a throwback to the early 2000s. Instead, formulas have become finer, more wearable, and deeply hydrating, often doubling as lip care.

“I’m obsessed with layering a satin lipstick and topping it with a metallic gloss — it makes lips look fuller, fresher,” said Mario Dedivanovic, founder of Makeup by Mario, in a feature with Byrdie. His MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum in ‘Bronze Glow’ sold out across North America in 2024 and has become a global must-have.

And while celebrity beauty lines have flooded the market, few have done metallic lips better than Hailey Bieber. “My Rhode Peptide Lip Tints aren’t metallic in the classic sense,” she said in Grazia. “But they reflect light subtly, it’s about enhancing the natural volume of lips, not overpowering.”

Here’s the kicker: all that glow means nothing if the base isn’t right. Metallic make-up clings to texture, so if your skincare isn’t in sync, your shimmer could slip into ‘shine’ territory real quick.

“Glow starts with skin,” said Tatcha founder Vicky Tsai in InStyle. “If your skin is dehydrated or inflamed, no highlighter will fix that.” Her cult-favourite Dewy Skin Cream remains a backstage staple for pre-make-up prep, especially in dry or air-conditioned climates.

Celebrity facialist Joanna Czech emphasised barrier support in a feature with Into The Gloss: “You cannot fake glow. You need ceramides, lipids, and hydration. Shiny make-up should go over glowing skin, not replace it.”

Hydration layering, a K-beauty principle, remains one of the most endorsed trends. “Start with a mist, then a serum with hyaluronic acid, a light moisturiser, and sunscreen,” said Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily. “Each step seals the glow in.”

In the UAE, with its high humidity and intense sun, striking the right balance is key. Opt for cream-to-powder formulas that resist sweating, and keep blotting papers handy to absorb excess shine without disturbing glow zones like cheekbones and brow bones.

Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, a bestseller across the GCC, continues to gain fans for its lightweight but long-lasting hold.

“We created it for hot climates and red carpets,” she said. “It’s your glow insurance.”

Make-up artist Nikki Wolff, global creative director at KVD Beauty, also shared a UAE-friendly tip in Cosmopolitan UK: “Apply metallic shadow just at the centre of the lid or inner corner, it reflects light without smudging in the heat.”

And don’t forget SPF. “Metallic particles can amplify UV reflection,” said Dr. Barbara Sturm in Vanity Fair. “So always apply a strong SPF underneath, especially in high-UV countries.”