Everyone remembers where they were when they witnessed the buzziest beauty moment of 2024. I was zoning out at of a college lecture on public policy (sorry) when my group chat was bombarded with TikToks showing off Pat McGrath’s incredible glazed doll skin at the Maison Margiela Spring/Summer 24 Haute Couture runway show. It was eerily beautiful—surreally avant-garde, totally dramatic, and of course, ultra-viral. Each model had their own look, from cerulean lids to pencil-thin brows, but they all had a glass-like finish on their face that had the internet scrambling to figure out just how Pat pulled it off.

Attempts to replicate the look quickly followed. It was akin to a beauty scavenger hunt: Content creators and makeup artists alike dreamed up every possible combination of peel-off masks and viscous glosses in search of the secret formula. Eventually, McGrath did reveal the secret to the look as a mixture of peel-off masks from the drugstore, once again inspiring makeup artists everywhere.

Fast forward one year later, and Pat McGrath has finally bottled her magic potion in the form the Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask, officially launching on January 30. Read on to hear more about the new mask from Pat herself, and my honest review.

The Product

Retailing at $38 exclusively on the Pat McGrath website, the Glass 001 Artistry Mask is a cheat code for the hypnotically glazed skin that we saw on the runway. “The inspiration was born from one of the most unforgettable moments in my career: the Maison Margiela Artisanal Show in 2024,” McGrath tells Byrdie. “That radiant, glass-like skin was a vision of modernity and sophistication that resonated with so many! But I didn’t want it to remain just a runway fantasy. Beauty should be for everyone, and this mask brings the brilliance of that moment to life, making it achievable at home in minutes. It’s about transforming what once took layers and hours backstage into something effortless, so beauty lovers everywhere can experience their own luminous metamorphosis.”

Though the mask is meant to be used as a special effect over makeup, the peel-off formula is still formulated with glycerin, rose flower water, and allantoin to refresh and rejuvenate the skin.

The Technique

As for applying the mask, it’s somewhat similar to applying your run-of-the-mill peel-off mask—though the end result is substantially more glamorous. The mask can be applied on bare skin or over makeup for a surreal plastic shine. Use a tapered brush like the Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Blurring Brush to apply thin layers across the face, allowing each layer to fully dry before moving onto the next.

“I love layering the mask to customize the glow,” explains the legendary makeup artist. “One thin layer with a brush creates a dewy, spa-like finish, while two or three layers build to a lacquered, high-gloss effect. For special occasions, I focus the application on the high points of the face—the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and forehead—for a sculpted, glassy radiance.”

Her top tip? “Don’t forget the neck! It’s a secret spot for adding a luminous touch. I also love pairing it with luminous highlighter or layering it with a sheer foundation to amplify the radiance. And remember, this mask isn’t just for the glow—it’s infused with incredible skin-loving ingredients that hydrate, smooth, and refresh with every use.”

My Review

It’s moments like these that I am reminded that makeup is far more than a routine—it’s pure artistry. One inconspicuous Wednesday afternoon, I popped into the Pat McGrath office for a demo of the mask from a Pat McGrath makeup artist. I can only describe those few hours as a high-shine fever dream as an incredibly talented makeup and hair team transformed me into their ethereally lacquered vision.

A makeup artist applied three layers to my skin for a lacquered glaze—all in all, I would say that the mask application process itself took around 30 minutes. For a seamless finish, the makeup artist used a damp brush to diffuse the mask’s edges. After the layers, my skin looked like AI’s interpretation of liquid light: smooth, reflective, and surreally luminous. The hardest part? Trying not to gasp when I saw my reflection in the mirror.

Applying the mask was a lengthy process, but it was entirely worth it. The most challenging part of the process is keeping your face still during and after the application. That means no yapping, no laughing, and no smiling, even when Dame Pat McGrath herself walks into the room and applauds the final result.

Being transformed into one of Pat McGrath’s dolls reminded me of the innate poetry and the intricate artistry behind our makeup routines—that’s why I fell in love with makeup in the first place. As for removal, the mask comes off just like a peel-off skincare mask: I opened up my mouth and the edges of the mask quickly came off.

You can shop the Skin Fetish: Glass 001 Artistry Mask on patmcgrath.com starting January 30.