We Tried Pat McGrath's Viral Porcelain Doll Mask and Now You Can, Too
The new product is the makeup legend’s “love letter to the Maison Margiela runway.”
Remember when the internet lost its mind over Pat McGrath’s porcelain-like makeup at the Maison Margiela show during the last Paris Fashion Week? Many of us went into a frenzy trying to figure out how she created that glassy skin, transforming models into life-like dolls. After some time, she spilled the secret ingredient — gel, peel-off face masks. Now, over a year later, she’s dropping a brand-new product that’ll give you that same next-level effect.
Meet the Pat McGrath Labs “Skin Fetish” Glass 001 Artistry Mask, a skincare and makeup hybrid that allows you to recreate one of the most talked-about runway beauty looks in recent memory.
Below, read about our firsthand experience trying the mask with the brand, a step-by-step guide on how to use it for yourself and our honest take on whether it’s worth adding to your makeup stash.
Everything You Need To Know
Best for: Halloween, a runway show, fashion week
Price: $38 USD on the brand’s website, available on January 30
Rating: 10 of 10 for aesthetics, 8 of 10 for wearability
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Why The Hype?
Pat McGrath Labs is known for its hyper-real makeup and this mask is the perfect addition to its lineup. It allows for the skin to look unnaturally shiny, bringing a futuristic feel to the art of makeup. The “Skin Fetish” Glass 001 Artistry Mask is completely customizable, whether you want a slight glow or something more intense. It also works as skincare, hydrating the face and smoothing pores with aloe leaf extract, rose flower water, allantoin and glycerin. To sum it up, it can be used as a treatment or a cosmetic add-on.
How To Use
To use the “Skin Fetish” Glass 001 Artistry Mask, start by finishing your makeup — this product goes on top of a full face (or bare skin, if you prefer). First, fill a cup with water to wet your brush. You’ll also want to transfer the mask into a separate tin or small plate so it’s easier to access since you’ll be layering it on swiftly. Take a small, square brush and dip it into the water, then shake off any excess liquid before dipping in. Gently apply the mask in small strokes all over your face, allowing each layer to dry completely before adding another.
The more layers you apply, the more that “glass skin” effect will show up. Once you’ve achieved your desired look, avoid speaking or making any facial expressions — the mask will crack and lose its smooth finish. To remove it, the brand suggests opening your mouth wide and gently pulling at the edges to peel it off in one clean swipe.
An Honest Review
The moment I tried this mask, I became hooked. I could not stop looking in the mirror because of how unreal and ethereal I looked. I opted to do my makeup, so it emphasized the highlighter, blush and bronzer that I was wearing underneath. You feel as if you’re almost an alien-angel hybrid, reflecting all the light around you (especially if you step outside, into the sunshine). The only downfall is the fact that you cannot move your face and this is something I find extremely difficult to do. If you can stay still and stop emoting, you’ll be able to rock this look for a long time. If not, then it’s only going to stay on for a few minutes.
After I was ready to take off the mask, I opened my mouth and tore it off. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my skin underneath felt super soft and moisturized. What’s incredible about this product is that although it seems like it’s going to be messy, it’s not. The product comes off in one piece, allowing some, if not most, of your makeup to stay on underneath. Your full face even feels a little more life-like after removal, feeling like more of a skin tint than a foundation.
The Final Verdict
All in all, the “Skin Fetish” Glass 001 Artistry Mask is a truly unique offering in the makeup world. The product delivers on all fronts, inviting users to experiment with their look while possibly reaping some skincare benefits along the way. It requires patience, especially during application, because it takes quite a bit of time to apply the mask and wait for it to dry, over and over again. Again, the only downside I found during this trial was how movement and the mask do not mix. For someone who is very expressive, it isn’t easy to stay still.
At the same time, you’ll also need to embrace the fact that it won’t last forever. But, that’s sort of the fun in this kind of innovation, isn’t it? For me, the final verdict is clear: for beauty lovers, this is a must-have in your makeup arsenal.
While you’re here, check out our review of NuFACE’s new facial sculpting tool.
