Yoga Skin Is The New Glowy Makeup Trend Taking Over Instagram

It’s safe to say glowing, natural makeup is in. From sheer foundations to cream highlighter and even glossy lids, weightless and dewy formulas are now obvious crowd pleasers.

A new Instagram trend shows lit-from-within looks are still popular as ever, but ‘yoga skin’ takes the glow even further for your most radiant complexion yet.

What is yoga skin?

The yoga skin technique was created by UK makeup artist Sara Hill and is designed to replicate what your skin might look like after a yoga class. Though sceptics will say a red, splotchy and sweaty appearance is more accurate; in an ideal world a radiant, fresh look is created after some gentle exercise.

Sara posted a step-by-step tutorial video of the look on Instagram with the hashtag #yogaskin, and plenty of other makeup artists and beauty fans are joining in by recreating the makeup themselves.

“I created [the yoga skin technique] to make the skin look lit from within,” Sara says in the caption. “Healthy, glowing, hydrated, radiant, sheer and natural. Skin that looks like skin at its very best.”

In another Instagram post, Sara notes that the technique is different from the 'glass skin' trend (a K-beauty technique for flawless, transparent skin) as the look isn't polished perfection. "It’s skin that looks real, raw, healthy, hydrated and glowing. It’s about beautiful skin, great skincare and embracing the no makeup makeup vibe."

How to get yoga skin

To begin Sara cleanses and preps the skin, letting skincare absorb fully before applying a small amount of silicone-free primer.

What sets yoga skin apart from other trends is the cocktailing technique used to produce an illuminated yet natural appearance.

Sara combines 3-4 pumps of a sheer to medium water-based liquid foundation, with one drop of facial oil and a drop of strobe cream or liquid highlighter (gold tones work best, she adds). To make the look even more luminous, a tiny amount of glow drops is added to the concoction.

Instead of using a brush to apply, she massages the blend with hands for the best result. "It gets the circulation flowing, relaxes you, de-puffs, and makes the base sit better too,” she writes. She also advises building layers of the mixture until the desired coverage is created, allowing time between each layer.

The dewy look is finished with cream blush and bronzer, combined with minimal eye and lip makeup – and she insists no baking is allowed, only a light dusting of powder if needed.