How to Achieve That Perfect Ethereal Glow (Without Looking Oily)
As an Alternative Makeup Artist, I often hear clients say they want that radiant, glowing skin —not a heavy, greasy shine, but something soft, celestial, and Goddess-like. Fairytale inspired.
The ethereal look is less about piling on highlighter and more about creating a radiant, hydrated base using ethical, cruelty-free products. Here is my four-step guide to nailing the glow for your wedding day or any special event.
Image by Serene Visuals
1. Master the Prep: Primer is Your Best Friend
You can’t build a Goddess glow on a dull base. The secret to the ethereal look starts before foundation, with hydration and illumination.
Skin prep is the key to unlocking this. I always use a gentle acidic toner suited for your skin type and massage a moisturiser in. My Celestial Glamour Package even includes a mini facial massage in your prep, so you can feel relaxed and up the glow at the same time!
I always use a high-quality, lightweight illuminating primer. Look for ethical brands that use light-reflecting particles, not chunky glitter. Applying a pea-sized amount over the high points of your face (cheekbones, brow bone, centre of the nose) before foundation adds depth.
2. The Foundation Fix: Sheer vs. Shine
A thick, matte foundation will immediately kill your glow. For an ethereal look, we want to see the skin underneath.
Use a light to medium-coverage, satin-finish foundation or skin tint If you need more coverage in specific areas, use a precise concealer first, then apply your foundation thinly over the rest of the face. The glow comes from the base, not from heavy product application! Setting with a minimal, finely-milled powder only where you need it (T-Zone) keeps the rest of the face radiant.
3. Placing the Light: Strategic Highlighting
The best part! Forget the aggressive stripe of highlighter across the cheekbone. The ethereal technique involves placing light strategically where it would naturally hit—a technique I teach in my Alt X Boho Masterclass.
Use a cream or liquid highlighter (vegan, of course!) in a soft champagne or pearl tone for pale skin, or golden or rose gold for darker skin. Gently swipe it on the tops of cheekbones and the apples of the cheeks, the cupid’s bow, and just above the arch of the brow. For an extra celestial touch, tap a tiny amount into the inner corners of the eyes. This creates depth and dimension without looking overly metallic.
4. The Final Polish: Blush and Setting Spray
The perfect ethereal look requires blusher for a natural flush. Don’t be scared of it - you won’t look like a clown! It’ll make you more youthful. Choose a cream or liquid blush in a soft, rosy pink or peach and tap it onto the apples of your cheeks, blending gently up toward the temples. This creates a healthy, youthful glow that looks like it's coming from within.
Finally, lock it all in with a dewy setting spray. This is crucial for melting the makeup layers together, taking away any powdery finish, and sealing that glow for 12+ hours of wedding magic!
Ready to master your own alternative bridal look? Learn these techniques and more in my comprehensive Alt X Boho Masterclass—the perfect investment in your signature alternative wedding look.