This is how Forza Collective’s makeup artists recreated Rembrandt skin for the runway

Skin has once again claimed centre stage in beauty conversations, thanks in part to Pat McGrath’s freshly unveiled Glass 001 Artistry Mask – an ode to her viral Maison Margiela moment last year. But while McGrath pushes the futuristic envelope, Forza Collective’s lead makeup artist, Mads Stig, found himself looking back in time. “I was captivated by the 17th-century paintings,” Stig recalls of a recent visit to the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum. “The way the artists depicted skin… almost translucent with a soft touch of dew. It served as the primary inspiration for this look.”

Determined to replicate that lit-from-within glow for Forza Collective’s runway – Rembrandt skin, if you will – Stig relied on artful layering of skincare and a smudge of pigment where it mattered. To begin, he reached for Shiseido’s RevitalEssence Skin Glow and Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, which, when combined, lay the foundation for the luminosity he was after. “Layering these products was crucial in achieving that soft radiance,” he explains.

Of course, perfecting a masterpiece requires the right finishing touches. To keep shine at bay and ensure skin remained supple, Stig turned to Shiseido’s Oil-Control Blotting Paper and Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream. The Uplifting and Firming Express Eye Mask provided a bright-eyed finish, while Shiseido Skin Radiant Self-Refreshing Foundation offered buildable coverage that looked flawless under the glare of runway lights.

Curiously, mascara was left off the painter’s palette this time; instead, an eyelash curler was used to create a subtle flutter that let the skin remain the true focal point. Finally, while the original concept was purely luminous skin, Mads decided to amp up the look with a bolder lip once he saw the models in motion. “We used Shiseido’s Techno Satin Gel Lipstick in shade 403 to add a bold, striking element,” he says.

Of course, it wasn’t just about glowing complexions. To reinforce the look, lead hair stylist Marianne Jensen stepped in with a sleek, sculptural 'do. “For me, Forza Collective is the closest we get to couture in Copenhagen,” Jensen says. “We wanted to create a look that gave the girl strength and power.” After spritzing Kerasilk Repairing Spray to protect and nourish hair (a must when you’re putting it through countless styling sessions, according to Jensen), she blow-dried everything straight back using a volumising spray to boost the crown. The pièce de résistance came in the form of Kerasilk Finishing Cream, a hidden hero that gave maximum shine.