Dewy makeup has become one of the most sought-after beauty trends in recent years, thanks to its ability to create a fresh, radiant, and natural-looking complexion. It’s the opposite of matte makeup, which tends to absorb light and create a more velvety finish. Dewy makeup, on the other hand, reflects light, giving the skin a luminous, hydrated, and healthy appearance. Whether you want to achieve that glowing look for a special occasion or wear it every day, dewy makeup can work for every skin type and age.
Achieving the perfect dewy makeup look is all about balancing hydration, light-reflection, and the right products. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a stunning dewy look—from prepping your skin to applying makeup and sealing everything in.
What Is Dewy Makeup?
Dewy makeup is all about achieving a fresh, glowing finish on the skin. It focuses on enhancing the natural texture of your skin to create the appearance of a healthy, luminous complexion. Unlike matte makeup, which can sometimes feel dry or flat, dewy makeup is hydrating and light-reflecting, giving the skin a natural, lit-from-within glow.
Dewy makeup works well for almost every skin type, but it’s especially beneficial for those with dry or dull skin, as it adds radiance and moisture. If you have oily skin, don’t worry—there are ways to achieve a dewy look without making your skin look greasy or shiny.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Do Dewy Makeup
1. Start with Proper Skincare
The key to a flawless dewy makeup look begins with a good skincare routine. Hydrated skin is the foundation for a glowing finish, so it’s important to use products that help lock in moisture and prepare your skin for makeup.
Cleansing
Start with a hydrating, gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin of its natural moisture. Avoid harsh or exfoliating cleansers that might leave your skin feeling tight and dry.
- Recommended products:
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: A gentle, non-foaming cleanser that replenishes moisture.
- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: A mild cleanser that removes impurities without drying out the skin.
Toning
Toning is essential to balance the skin’s pH level and add an extra layer of hydration. Choose a toner with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or aloe vera.
- Recommended products:
- Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner: Infused with plant extracts, it offers deep hydration and soothes the skin.
Serums
For dewy makeup, look for a hydrating serum packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin C to brighten and plump the skin.
- Recommended products:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Provides deep hydration, making the skin look plump and fresh.
- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum: Packed with vitamin C to brighten the skin and enhance its natural radiance.
Moisturizing
To ensure your skin stays hydrated throughout the day, use a moisturizer that locks in moisture without feeling heavy or greasy.
- Recommended products:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: A lightweight gel moisturizer that deeply hydrates and smooths the skin.
- Tatcha The Water Cream: Offers long-lasting hydration and a radiant finish.
Sunscreen
Always apply sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Sunscreens often contain light-reflecting ingredients that can enhance the dewy effect.
- Recommended products:
- Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: A lightweight, invisible sunscreen that hydrates the skin and provides a smooth base.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60: Hydrates and protects the skin, leaving it with a natural glow.
2. Apply a Dewy Primer
A dewy primer acts as the perfect base for your makeup. It preps your skin by providing additional hydration and helps your makeup stay in place throughout the day. Look for primers with a luminous finish or a light-reflecting effect that will enhance the glow.
- Recommended products:
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer: Hydrates and blurs imperfections, providing a smooth, glowing base.
- Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Primer: A popular primer that adds radiance and gives the skin a glowing finish.
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water: This hydrating mist provides an instant boost of moisture while preparing your skin for makeup.
Pro Tip: If you have oily skin, apply a mattifying primer in your T-zone to control shine, while using a dewy primer on the outer parts of your face to maintain a glowing finish without looking greasy.
3. Choose a Dewy Foundation
The foundation you choose will play a crucial role in achieving that dewy finish. Look for foundations that are labeled as “hydrating,” “radiant,” or “glowing.” These formulas are packed with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or squalane that provide long-lasting hydration while offering a natural, luminous finish.
- Recommended products:
- NARS Sheer Glow Foundation: A medium-coverage foundation that gives the skin a radiant, glowing finish.
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: Lightweight and buildable, it creates a soft, radiant glow without looking heavy.
- Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation: Affordable and hydrating, it provides a natural dewy finish with light-to-medium coverage.
Pro Tip: If you want a more radiant effect, mix a liquid highlighter with your foundation before applying it. This will give you an even more luminous finish.
4. Dewy Concealer for a Bright Eye Area
To keep the dewy vibe going, use a concealer that hydrates and brightens. Choose one with a creamy texture that blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind a radiant finish without feeling heavy or cakey. Avoid matte formulas, as they can counteract the glow you’re aiming for.
- Recommended products:
- Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand: This hydrating concealer adds luminosity while brightening the under-eye area.
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Known for its smooth texture, this concealer provides natural-looking coverage with a dewy finish.
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer: A budget-friendly option that brightens dark circles and smooths the skin.
5. Cream or Liquid Highlighter for a Natural Glow
A powder highlighter can be too harsh for a dewy makeup look, so opt for a liquid or cream highlighter instead. These formulas melt into the skin and create a soft, radiant glow that looks natural and fresh. Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, like the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, and your brow bone.
- Recommended products:
- Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter: A liquid highlighter that provides a stunning, natural glow.
- Glossier Haloscope: This cream highlighter gives a dewy, natural finish and is perfect for a more subtle glow.
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter: A cult favorite that creates a luminous, ethereal glow.
6. Use Cream Blush for a Healthy Flush
For a soft, dewy finish, skip the powder blush and go for a cream or liquid blush. These products blend beautifully into the skin and give a natural, fresh flush of color. Cream blushes also add moisture to the skin, which enhances the overall dewy effect.
- Recommended products:
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush: Known for its long-lasting formula and natural flush of color, this liquid blush gives a fresh, dewy finish.
- NARS Liquid Blush: Lightweight and buildable, this cream blush creates a soft, radiant flush of color.
- Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush: This blush melts into the skin and provides a radiant, natural finish.
7. Set with a Dewy Setting Spray
To ensure your dewy makeup stays in place all day, finish off your look with a dewy setting spray. A setting spray will lock in your makeup and give your skin an extra boost of hydration, helping maintain that fresh glow.
- Recommended products:
- Morphe Continuous Setting Mist: A hydrating spray that sets your makeup while giving your skin a radiant finish.
- Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray: If you’re looking for a dewy finish with long-lasting hold, this spray will ensure your makeup stays fresh all day.
- MAC Prep + Prime Fix+: A cult-favorite setting spray that hydrates and refreshes the skin while adding a soft glow.
8. Final Touches and Tips for a Dewy Look
- Avoid Over-Powdering: Too much powder can dull your dewy makeup. Apply powder only to areas that tend to get oily (like the T-zone) and leave the rest of the face untouched to maintain that glow.
- Hydrate Throughout the Day: Keep a facial mist or hydrating spray on hand to refresh your skin and keep it looking fresh and dewy throughout the day.
- Use a Beauty Sponge: To seamlessly blend your makeup and prevent it from looking too cakey, use a damp beauty sponge to apply foundation and concealer.
- Layering Products: For a more intense glow, layer a few products. Start with a glowing primer, followed by a luminous foundation, a creamy blush, and finish with a liquid highlighter. The key is to build radiance without overloading on product.
Conclusion
Creating a dewy makeup look is all about achieving the right balance of hydration, luminosity, and natural-looking radiance. With the right skincare prep, hydrating makeup products, and a few easy techniques, anyone can pull off this glowing, youthful look. Remember, dewy makeup is all about enhancing your natural beauty, so embrace your skin’s texture and let its radiance shine through! Whether you’re preparing for a day at work or a special event, a dewy makeup look is the perfect way to elevate your everyday beauty routine and feel confident in your skin.