Butter Skin vs Glass Skin: What’s the Difference, and Which is Right for You?

We’re going to settle this once and for all! Butter Skin and Glass Skin might look like twins in selfies, but in real life? There are subtle differences that make one a clear winner for me.

If Butter Skin is your soft-focus selfie lens in real life, Glass Skin is the dewy, drenched glow that makes it look like you live in a skincare ad. Same products? Mostly. Same base prep? Yep. But the technique? That’s where the magic happens.

We used only the products below to test and compare the two finishes, so you can recreate either look exactly — without panic-scrolling product lists.

First things first: Skin prep (not sold by us!)

Before we even look at makeup, your skin needs to be:

Milky-toned, aka balanced and soothed (use a milky toner)
Plump and juicy (hydrating serum)
Sealed in and calm (moisturiser)

💡Top tip: Let your skincare sink in before makeup — it makes a world of difference to how product sits.

Butter Skin: soft-focus glow that lasts all day

Step 1: Prime it right

Products:

Catrice Glam In Gold Hydrating Primer
Essence Silky Blur Poreless Primer

Apply hydrating primer if you want extra grip — not essential if your skincare’s doing its job, but it adds staying power. Then press the poreless primer into your T-zone. It softens texture without totally mattifying.

💡Top tip: Tap it in gently, especially around the nose — no rubbing means no pilling.

Step 2: Hydrating base

Product:

Catrice True Skin Hydrating Foundation (018 Cool Rose)

Blend with a damp beauty sponge. You’ll keep the finish light, radiant, and skin-like — basically “your skin but rested.”

💡Top tip: Bouncing motions beats swiping. It’s the key to maintaining that buttery smoothness.

Step 3: Creamy warmth

Product:

Catrice Melted Sun Cream Bronzer (030 Pretty Tanned)

This one MELTS into the skin. Think: creamy, warm, seamless — like bronzer in soft-focus.

💡Top tip: Apply with a sponge or buffing brush and blend up toward temples.

Step 4: Tint that flush

Product:

Essence What A Tint! Lip & Cheek Tint (03 Peachy Vibes)

Apply a tiny amount and blend fast — this tint gives a lit-from-within flush that keeps the glow going.

💡Top tip: Smile and dab it right on the apples for that lifted look.

Step 5: Strategic conceal

Product:

Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer (005 Warm Macadamia)

Target your undereyes, corners of the nose, chin and forehead. You're still chasing radiance, but want coverage where needed.

💡Top tip: Let concealer sit for 30 secs before blending to boost payoff.

Step 6: Set (lightly)

Product:

Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder

Brush only! No puff. Use a light hand to set areas that need it — don’t smother that glow.

💡Top tip: Think under-eyes, nose and forehead. Skip cheeks if they’re glowing.

Step 7: Lock in that bronze

Product:

Catrice Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow Palette

Use powder bronzer over the cream bronzer to keep it in place. Focus on the edges of your face to create a soft, sunkissed dimension.

💡Top tip: Use a fluffy brush and build gradually.

Step 8: Dust of light

Product:

Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter (040 Absolute Blushin’ Bright)

Just a whisper across high points — think cheekbones and brow bones only.

💡Top tip: Apply with fingertip or fan brush for soft, diffused sheen.

Step 9: Set and refresh

Product:

Catrice Prime And Fine Multi-Talent Fixing Spray

Hold it at arm’s length and mist generously. It’ll bring life back to the skin and help everything melt together.

Glass Skin: dewy, glossy, glow-from-every-angle

Step 1: Prime and glow

Products:

Catrice Glam In Gold Hydrating Primer
Essence Drop Of Sunshine Highlighting Drops

Layer your glow drops after primer and all over your face. Yes — everywhere. We’re not spotlighting here, we’re glazing.

💡Top tip: Let it sink in before foundation — this prevents pilling.

Step 2: Lightweight foundation

Product:

Catrice True Skin Hydrating Foundation (018 Cool Rose)

Apply lightly — your glow is the star. You’re not covering, you’re blending it all together.

💡Top tip: Use a sponge or fingers. Brushes can mute that shine.

Step 3: Liquid bronze

Product:

Catrice Melted Sun Liquid Bronzer (015 Sunkissed)

Melts right in. You want warmth, not coverage — dab it high on the cheekbones, temples, and hairline.

💡Top tip: Don’t go too low — keep everything lifted.

Step 4: Shimmery blush

Product:

Catrice Blushin' Charm Multi Stick (050 Radiant Honey)

This has built-in glow — perfect for glass skin. Add to cheeks and across the nose for a glossy, youthful flush.

💡Top tip: Blend one side at a time — cream blush sets fast.

Step 5: Targeted concealer

Product:

Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer (005 Warm Macadamia)

Only apply where you want coverage or brightness (under eyes, around mouth, blemishes, etc.).

💡 Top Tip: Use your finger for max control and minimal product.

Step 6: Set strategically

Product:

Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder

Set only the areas that must stay matte — usually under eyes, around the nose, or creases.

💡Top tip: Use a puff and press gently — no sweeping.

Step 7: Lock in the bronze

Product:

Catrice Holiday Skin Bronze & Glow Palette

Very light application to extend wear time without killing glow.

💡Top tip: Tap with a fluffy brush and avoid over-blending.

Step 8: Shine time

Product:

Catrice More Than Glow Highlighter (040 Absolute Blushin’ Bright)

Add to cheekbones, brow bones, tip of nose and even centre of forehead. Pair with blush for radiance x10.

💡Top tip: Want extra glass? Layer lightly twice with fingertips.

Step 9: Set and soak

Product:

Catrice Prime And Fine Multi-Talent Fixing Spray

This is the final step. Mist all over to lock in the layers — and bring out the wet-look shine.

💡Top tip: Press with a damp sponge after spraying to marry all the textures together.

Bonus Tip

If you ever feel like you’ve lost the glow mid-routine (especially after powder), here’s the fix:

Dab a stick or liquid highlighter on the back of your hand.
Use a damp sponge to pick it up.
Gently bounce on the high points.

It brings your base back to life. Every. Single. Time.

Final Thoughts

Glass skin is stunning for photos and moments where you want to glow like the main character. But for your day-to-day? Butter Skin wins for staying power, softness and that real-life filter feel.

Try both. Mix elements. You don’t have to pick a side — but now you’ll know how to serve either look like a pro. You can find any products we stock for butter skin here, and for glass skin here - or you can find the individual products below!

@welovelashes The glow? Customisable. Butter skin or glass skin - we’ve got both 💅 💖 #MakeupTok #WeLoveLashes #glassskin #butterskin #DewyMakeup ♬ som original - kabanamaster.ai