The 6 Glossy Make-Up Looks You Can Achieve In 5 Minutes

From mirror-shine make-up to high-gloss status skin, anything goes (as long as it glows)

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by Cassie Steer |
Updated on

Photographs: Baard Lunde; Make-Up: Andrew Gallimore Using Dior Beauty; Beauty Direction & Words: Cassie Steer

Double Glazing

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While there is always a place for solo beauty statements, there is also a dazzling case for doubling up for next-level swagger. ‘It’s about really embracing a texture and rejecting antiquated rules about having to choose between a bold eye or lip,’ says make-up artist Andrew Gallimore. ‘Give your vinyl red lip extra staying power by using a long-wear lipstick or stain under your gloss.’

Patent Pending

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Glossy needn’t mean girly. Gallimore took inspiration from the Dior S/S ’24 show, where pigment was concentrated on the inner part of the lips for a ‘witchy’, wine-stained mouth. ‘When you layer a clear gloss over the top it evolves into this beautiful graduated colour that gives extra dimension to lacquered lips,’ says Gallimore.

Glossy Posse

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For mega-watt shine without the shimmer, swap make-up for skincare. ‘Using oils and balms as highlighters is nothing new, but our current obsession with glow has meant that people have been revisiting the light-reflecting technique to add a natural-looking sheen,’ says Gallimore, who recommends applying to high points of the face.

Black Mirror

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‘Don’t expect a glossy eye to stay put – it’s going to melt and evolve with wear, but that’s part of its allure,’ says Gallimore, who layered clear gloss over sooty black eyeshadow. ‘The distressed finish and saccharine lips lend a softness to the look but, if you prefer more solid colour with clout, add a dab of gloss only to the very centre of the lid.’

Beam Me Up

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Maximise radiance by opting for a luminising complexion enhancer, such as Dior’s Forever Star Glow Filter, £45, before adding some strategic strobing. ‘It’s precision placement with an unapologetic finish,’ says Gallimore, who used highlighter to create a soft arc to cradle the tops of the cheekbones where light would naturally hit.

Latex Lashes

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Why should lids have all the fun? Give lashes added luminosity with a pop of clear gloss. ‘It’s just another way of exaggerating your eyes as the gloss really helps to reflect the light and gives eyelashes a laminated quality,’ says Gallimore, who began by layering three to four coats of waterproof mascara.

Shop: The Good To Glow Edit.

Expect next-level radiance with these shine boosters

Few glosses can leave a comfortable yet uber-reflective and multi-dimensional shine the way this viral buy does.

Welcome Dior's first-ever liquid highlighter, available in six universally flattering shades with ultra-fine luminous pearly pigment to help impart a lit-from-within-glow.

Need the faintest touch of red to revive your lips? Look to this glassy, non-sticky handbag essential, which is enriched with vitamin E and jojoba oil.

Meet the new kid on the block. Described as a complexion enhancer, this skincare-cum-make-up buy can be used alone or mixed into your foundation for a boost of radiance.

This balmy highlighter can be used on lips, cheeks and eyelids to nourish and leave a healthy flush of colour on the skin.

Who said sparkles are for Christmas only? This glittery top coat will elevate any mani look.

A multi-purpose gem, Morphe's gloss can be used anywhere for a high-shine finish.

Beauty Pie The Perfect Waterproof Mascara in Superglossy Black
Price: £20 (members £12)

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For defined, voluminous, lengthy lashes that pack a long-lasting curl sans crusty flaking, try this. The glossy formula keeps lashes looking natural and healthy.

An OG. With 97% natural-origin ingredients including castor oil and shea butter, this pH reactive balm develops on the lips to leave behind a custom colour.

Available in 17 different shades, this pigmented and long-lasting palette features five wearable tonal shades that will help to achieve an array of looks.

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