Okay so.

I've been obsessed with Hailey Bieber's skin since like, forever. That glowy, dewy, glazed donut thing she's got going on? It's not just good lighting. I promise.

The whole glazed donut skin trend literally took over my FYP last year and I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out what she actually does. Spoiler alert - it's way more achievable than you'd think.

Here's the thing.

You don't need a celebrity budget or some fancy dermatologist on speed dial. I've cracked the code and honestly? Most of it comes down to technique and a few key products.

What Even Is Glazed Donut Skin?

Think fresh, hydrated, luminous skin that looks like you're perpetually glowing from within. Not oily. Not glittery. Just that perfect dewy finish that catches the light in all the right ways.

Hailey literally coined this term and now we're all trying to replicate it. The vibe is healthy, moisturized, and effortlessly radiant.

It's basically the opposite of matte makeup, tbh.

The Prep Work (This Is Where The Magic Happens)

Real talk - the glow starts way before you touch any makeup. Your skincare routine is doing like 80% of the heavy lifting here.

I learned this the hard way after trying to fake it with highlighter for months. Didn't work.

First up: gentle retinol at night if your skin can handle it. This keeps your texture smooth and helps with that lit-from-within thing. Start slow though - nobody wants irritation.

Morning routine is all about hydration. I'm talking multiple layers.

Hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin? Yes. A good moisturizer? Obviously. But here's what nobody tells you - you need to let each layer sink in before adding the next. I used to rush this and wonder why my makeup looked weird.

Patience is key.

Also? Sunscreen. Every single day. I know, I know - but hear me out. The right sunscreen won't pill under makeup and it keeps your skin healthy long-term. Hailey swears by SPF and honestly, she's right.

This tutorial literally changed how I think about skin prep. Watch it.

The Makeup Application (Technique Matters More Than Products)

Okay so here's where it gets fun.

Primer - but make it dewy. I mix a tiny drop of facial oil into mine sometimes. Sounds crazy but it works. You want that base to be hydrating, not mattifying.

Foundation is tricky because less is genuinely more here. I use a damp beauty sponge and literally bounce it on so lightly. Like barely touching my face. The goal is your skin but better, not full coverage.

Sometimes I skip foundation entirely and just use a tinted moisturizer or skin tint. Depends on the day.

Concealer only where you actually need it. Under eye application technique is crucial - you want it to look seamless, not cakey.

Here's the secret weapon though.

Cream products. Cream blush. Cream highlighter. Cream bronzer if you're using it. They melt into your skin and give you that natural glow that powder just can't replicate.

I apply everything with my fingers or a damp sponge. Brushes can work but they sometimes absorb too much product.

The way she layers everything? *Chef's kiss*. This is exactly the vibe we're going for.

The Glow Situation

Now for the fun part - the actual glaze.

Liquid highlighter is your best friend. I mix a drop into my foundation sometimes, or I'll apply it to the high points of my face after everything else.

Cheekbones, bridge of nose, cupid's bow, inner corners of eyes. Basically anywhere the light would naturally hit.

But wait.

Don't go overboard. The trick is building it up slowly. You can always add more but you can't take it away without starting over.

I also love using a hydrating setting spray before and after makeup. It melts everything together and gives you that fresh, dewy finish. Some people think setting spray is just for making makeup last longer but honestly? It's a glow game changer.

Pro tip I learned from watching way too many viral beauty tutorials - press your setting spray into your skin with clean hands after spraying. Don't just let it air dry. This makes such a difference.

Drugstore vs High-End (Plot Twist: You Don't Need To Splurge)

Look, I love a good luxury product as much as anyone. But some of the best stuff for this look is literally at Target.

I've tried expensive highlighters and cheap ones and honestly? The drugstore glow products hold their own. Sometimes they're even better because they're not as intense.

My current favs include the e.l.f. Halo Glow liquid filter (like $14?), the Catrice dewy setting spray, and literally any hyaluronic acid serum under $20. They all work.

The Korean beauty brands at Target also have incredible stuff for achieving that glass skin effect. Very similar vibe to glazed donut skin, just slightly different technique.

This breakdown of the entire process is so good. She really gets it.

Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)

Using too much powder. Seriously, powder is the enemy of glazed donut skin. If you absolutely need it for oil control, use the tiniest amount only on your T-zone.

Applying highlighter with a heavy hand. I used to think more = more glow but actually? It just looks obvious and sometimes even greasy. Subtle is the way.

Skipping skincare. I tried to fake this look with just makeup when my skin was dehydrated and it looked terrible. Your skin needs to actually be healthy and moisturized.

Using the wrong base products. Matte foundations and primers will fight against you here. Everything needs to be geared toward dewiness.

Not letting products set between layers. This was huge for me. Give your skincare a minute to absorb. Let your foundation settle before adding more stuff on top.

The Lifestyle Stuff Nobody Talks About

Okay real talk.

Your skin is gonna look better when you're actually taking care of yourself. I hate that this is true but like, it is.

Water. So much water. I keep a huge bottle with me all day and it genuinely makes a difference in how plump my skin looks.

Sleep is non-negotiable. Those 3am nights? They show up on your face the next day no matter how much highlighter you use.

I also started doing at-home facial treatments once a week - just simple stuff like sheet masks or a gentle enzyme peel. Keeps my texture smooth.

Making It Last All Day

The thing about dewy makeup is it can slip around if you're not careful.

I don't set my entire face anymore but I do use a tiny bit of powder under my eyes and on my nose if I'm gonna be out for hours. Just those areas that tend to get oily.

Blotting papers are your friend. Not powder - papers. They absorb excess oil without killing your glow.

And honestly? Sometimes you need to touch up. I keep a small highlighter stick in my bag and just dab it on my cheekbones if I'm looking flat later in the day.

The whole point is looking fresh and glowy, not perfectly matte and untouchable.

Is It Actually Worth The Hype?

Yes.

Like genuinely yes. This makeup style makes me feel so much more confident than heavy, full-coverage looks ever did.

It's also way more forgiving? Imperfections don't stand out as much when your skin looks naturally glowy and healthy. The light-reflecting thing works in your favor.

Plus it photographs incredibly well. Every selfie looks better with this technique.

I will say - it's not for everyone. If you have super oily skin, you might need to adjust the technique. Maybe go lighter on the cream products or use a bit more powder. But it's still doable.

My Current Routine (What's Actually Working)

Morning: Gentle cleanser, hyaluronic acid serum, moisturizer, SPF

Makeup: Dewy primer, light coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer, cream blush, liquid highlighter, brow gel, mascara (usually something from my budget mascara stash), hydrating setting spray

Evening: Double cleanse, treatment serum, night cream, sometimes a face oil

Weekly: Gentle exfoliation, hydrating mask

That's it. Nothing crazy expensive or complicated.

The key is consistency and actually letting your skin be healthy underneath all the makeup.

Final Thoughts

Hailey Bieber really did something when she popularized this look. It's shifted how so many of us think about makeup and skin.

The glazed donut skin trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and honestly? I'm not mad about it.

It's made me focus more on skincare, use less heavy makeup, and actually embrace my skin texture instead of trying to blur it into oblivion.

Start with good skincare. Use cream products. Go easy on the powder. Build up your glow slowly.

That's literally the whole formula.

Have you tried this look yet? What products are you using? I'm always looking for new recommendations because this is basically my signature vibe now.