Hailey Bieber’s makeup trick for a seamless, glowing complexion this summer
A complexion that looks like a second skin, with no mask effect or visible layers: that’s exactly what this makeup trick taking 2026 by storm promises to deliver. The milky toner, long confined to the skincare steps of Korean-inspired routines, is now making its way into the makeup bag to transform the way we apply foundation.
The milky toner: the new makeup trick for a second-skin finish
Behind this beauty phenomenon lies a surprisingly simple principle. The milky toner is a lightweight, hydrating skincare product that Western routines have been borrowing from Korean beauty for several years. But it’s its unexpected use in makeup that’s earning it a massive surge of renewed interest.
The core idea behind this makeup trick is to harness the fluidity of the milky toner to melt complexion products into the skin. The result: a less heavy, more diffused makeup look that doesn’t sit on top of the skin in distinct layers. Hailey Bieber played a major role in popularising this technique, notably by mixing her foundation with Rhode’s Glazing Milk.
Two concrete ways to work it into your routine
This makeup trick breaks down into two distinct techniques, each suited to different habits. In both cases, skin should be cleansed and well moisturised before you begin.
- The underpainting technique: apply bronzer, blush and concealer in cream or liquid textures directly after your skincare routine, before any foundation.
- Blending with toner: pick up a small amount of milky toner with a brush, then use it to work and blend the products already deposited on the face.
- The foundation-and-toner mix: dispense a dose of foundation onto the back of your hand, add a few drops of milky toner, mix together, then apply to the face.
- The result: with both techniques, the texture becomes more fluid, coverage lightens and the finish stays luminous, with no cakey effect.
The first method, known as underpainting, involves reversing the usual order of makeup application. By laying down bronzer, blush and concealer before foundation, then blending everything out with the toner, you achieve a more seamless, naturally diffused result. The toner helps cream textures work into the skin gradually and effortlessly.
The second method, popularised by Hailey Bieber, acts directly on the foundation’s texture. By incorporating a few drops of milky toner into it, you lighten the formula and reduce its coverage while preserving a luminous finish. This is the precise version the star showcased with her foundation-and-Rhode Glazing Milk blend.
Why this makeup trick is especially well-suited to summer
When temperatures rise, beauty routines naturally tend to get lighter. Layering serum, moisturiser and multiple skincare steps before even starting makeup quickly becomes uncomfortable. The feeling of skin that’s sticky or suffocating under products pushes us to simplify.
That’s where this makeup trick really comes into its own. After a serum, the milky toner can be enough to provide the hydrating comfort needed before moving on to makeup. Fewer skincare layers, then, but without sacrificing moisture. It’s precisely the lightness of its texture that allows the milky toner to fill this role without weighing skin down.
Mixed into foundation or used to blend cream textures, it also delivers a fresher, more luminous complexion that’s perfectly in tune with the summery glow we’re all after. This makeup trick follows a genuine seasonal logic: less product on the skin, but a result that still looks polished and natural.
What this technique actually changes for you
In practice, adopting this makeup trick means rethinking both the order and the quantity of products you apply. Rather than building up layers that can show through and give an artificial finish, you work with less product, better integrated into the skin. The milky toner acts as a binding agent here, not an extra skincare step.
What’s more, both techniques require no special investment: they rely on products already present in many beauty routines. All you need is a brush, a milky toner and a foundation or cream textures to try the method. The goal is a seamless, luminous and natural-looking complexion, one that feels even more desirable when the summer heat is on.
