The dewy makeup look has become synonymous with healthy, glowing, youthful skin, and it’s no surprise why—it creates a radiant finish that mimics the natural luminosity of fresh, hydrated skin. Unlike matte makeup, which can sometimes leave the skin looking flat or dry, dewy makeup enhances your natural skin texture, making it look fresh, moisturized, and effortlessly radiant. Whether you’re prepping for a day at the office or a special night out, the dewy makeup look is incredibly versatile and can be tailored to suit any occasion. But achieving that perfect glow requires more than just slathering on highlighter. It’s about using the right products in the right way and understanding how to work with your skin’s natural texture.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to achieve the ultimate dewy makeup look, from skincare prep to the final touches. We’ll also share pro tips on how to make your glow last all day long, no matter your skin type or the weather conditions.
1. Start with a Hydrating Skincare Routine
The key to achieving a glowing, dewy makeup look begins long before you even think about foundation or highlighter. It all starts with proper skincare. If your skin is dry or lacks hydration, the dewy effect won’t be as radiant, and your makeup may even settle into fine lines or dry patches.
Hydrating Cleansers
Start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. Avoid harsh, foaming cleansers that can leave your skin feeling tight and dry.
Recommended Products:
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: A gentle, non-foaming formula that helps maintain the skin’s moisture balance.
- Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Contains soy proteins and rosewater to cleanse and hydrate the skin.
Toners & Serums
Next, hydrate your skin with a nourishing toner. Look for toners that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or vitamin C. These ingredients help to lock in moisture and plump the skin, which is essential for achieving a smooth, dewy base.
Follow up with a serum that offers an extra layer of hydration. Serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or peptides will further support the skin’s moisture retention and create a glowing, healthy canvas.
Recommended Products:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: Provides deep hydration and helps skin retain moisture.
- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum: A vitamin C serum that helps to brighten and hydrate, giving skin an instant glow.
Moisturizers
For the ultimate dewy base, use a rich, hydrating moisturizer. A good moisturizer not only hydrates the skin but also helps to smooth out the texture, creating a perfect surface for makeup to adhere to.
Recommended Products:
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: Lightweight but hydrating, this gel-based moisturizer gives skin a bouncy, radiant glow.
- Tatcha The Water Cream: This oil-free moisturizer is perfect for maintaining hydration and providing a natural, smooth finish.
SPF Protection
Don’t forget sunscreen. Not only does SPF protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but many SPF formulas also contain light-reflecting particles that can contribute to your skin’s luminosity.
Recommended Products:
- Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40: A lightweight, invisible sunscreen that provides sun protection and a smooth, dewy finish.
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen SPF 60: A hydrating sunscreen that leaves the skin glowing without feeling greasy.
2. Use a Dewy Primer
Once your skincare is fully absorbed, the next step is to apply a primer. A good dewy primer will give your skin a smooth, hydrated base and help the makeup adhere better. Look for primers with a radiant or luminous finish. These often contain light-reflecting pigments and moisturizing ingredients that enhance your skin’s natural glow.
Recommended Products:
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer: This primer hydrates the skin while also blurring imperfections, leaving you with a smooth, radiant canvas.
- Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer: Infused with a soft focus filter, this primer gives an instant glow while also providing hydration.
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water: This refreshing, hydrating primer adds a subtle glow and preps the skin for makeup.
3. Choose a Dewy Foundation
The foundation you choose will make all the difference when it comes to achieving a dewy makeup look. A dewy foundation should provide medium to full coverage, while also allowing your natural skin texture to shine through. Look for foundations that offer a luminous finish and are packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane. These foundations will help maintain the dewy effect without making your skin look greasy.
Recommended Products:
- NARS Sheer Glow Foundation: A long-lasting, buildable foundation that provides a radiant, glowing finish.
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: A lightweight foundation that offers a natural, luminous finish.
- Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation: A drugstore option that gives the skin a natural glow while offering medium coverage.
Pro Tip: If you want a more natural finish, try mixing a liquid highlighter into your foundation for an all-over glow. Simply add a drop or two to your foundation and apply as usual.
4. Dewy Concealer for Bright Eyes
To maintain that luminous look, choose a dewy concealer that will brighten and conceal under-eye circles, blemishes, or redness without making your skin look cakey. Look for formulas that hydrate and brighten the skin while offering buildable coverage.
Recommended Products:
- Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand: A light-reflecting, hydrating concealer that brightens dark circles and illuminates the skin.
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: A creamy, hydrating concealer that gives a natural, radiant finish.
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer: This concealer is hydrating, covers dark circles, and offers a glowing finish.
5. Create a Subtle Glow with Highlighter
A key component of the dewy makeup look is the highlighter. Instead of applying a heavy powder highlighter, opt for a liquid or cream formula that will give you a natural, lit-from-within glow.Apply highlighter to the high points of your face: 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: This liquid highlighter gives a stunning, natural glow and can be mixed into foundation for an all-over luminosity.
- Glossier Haloscope Highlighter: A cream highlighter that gives a dewy, natural glow without looking too shiny.
- Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter: A cult favorite that creates a radiant finish with a soft, ethereal glow.
6. Add a Dewy Blush
A dewy blush is essential to creating a fresh, radiant complexion. Liquid or cream blushes are great options because they blend seamlessly into the skin and provide a natural flush of color. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone for a healthy, natural-looking glow.
Recommended Products:
- Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush: A liquid blush that blends effortlessly into the skin, leaving behind a radiant flush of color.
- NARS Liquid Blush: A lightweight, buildable blush that gives the skin a natural, dewy finish.
- Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush: A cream blush that offers a soft, radiant finish and is easy to apply with your fingers.
7. Set with a Dewy Setting Spray
To lock in your makeup and maintain that dewy finish all day long, finish your look with a dewy setting spray. Setting sprays are crucial for ensuring your makeup stays in place without compromising your radiant glow. Look for sprays that contain hydrating ingredients and light-reflecting particles to enhance your dewy look.
Recommended Products:
- Morphe Continuous Setting Mist: A hydrating setting spray that locks in your makeup and enhances your glow.
- Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Matte Setting Spray: For those who want a dewy finish with long-lasting hold.
- MAC Prep + Prime Fix+: A multi-purpose setting spray that hydrates, refreshes, and sets your makeup while adding a subtle glow.
8. Final Touches
After you’ve applied your makeup, you can enhance your dewy look with a few final touches. Use a beauty sponge or a clean makeup brush to gently press your makeup into the skin. This technique helps to blend everything seamlessly, leaving your skin with a smooth, glowing finish. If you feel your makeup has settled too much, use a facial mist to hydrate your skin and revive the glow throughout the day.
Pro Tips for Maintaining a Dewy Makeup Look:
- Avoid Over-powdering: If you apply too much powder, it can dull your dewy finish. Only use a light dusting of translucent powder in areas where you get oily (like the T-zone), and avoid powdering your entire face.
- Hydrate Throughout the Day: Dehydration can cause your skin to lose its natural glow. Keep a hydrating mist or facial spray on hand to refresh your skin and maintain your radiance throughout the day.
- Choose Lightweight Formulas: Heavy foundations and thick powders can make your skin look cakey and dull. Opt for lightweight, breathable products that will let your natural glow shine through.
Conclusion
Achieving the perfect dewy makeup look is all about finding the right balance between hydration, luminosity, and subtle glow. With the right skincare prep, dewy makeup products, and application techniques, you can create a radiant, glowing complexion that looks fresh, youthful, and healthy. By layering hydrating products, using light-reflecting formulas, and setting your makeup properly, you can achieve a dewy look that lasts all day long. So, whether you’re going for a natural glow or something a bit more intense, the key is to make your skin the star of the show with products that enhance its natural beauty.