The dewy makeup look is all about radiance, freshness, and a healthy, natural glow. It’s a timeless beauty trend that has captured the hearts of makeup enthusiasts around the world. If you’ve ever wondered how to achieve that luminous complexion, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps, tips, and essential products to create a stunning dewy makeup look that lasts all day. Say goodbye to a flat, matte finish and hello to a radiant, dew-kissed complexion!
Start with a Healthy Canvas
The key to a successful dewy makeup look begins with skincare. A well-hydrated and prepped canvas will make a significant difference in the final result. Here are some skincare tips to get you started:
- Cleansing and Exfoliating: Begin with a clean canvas by cleansing your face thoroughly. Exfoliate gently to remove dead skin cells, promoting a smoother texture for your makeup. We recommend using the Origins Checks and Balances Polishing Face Scrub.
- Hydration: Apply a hydrating moisturizer to replenish your skin’s moisture levels. Opt for a product that suits your skin type, whether it’s a lightweight gel or a rich cream.
- Primer: A dewy makeup look benefits from a dewy primer. Choose a primer that adds luminosity to your skin, blurs imperfections, and helps makeup adhere better. We recommend the Saie Glowy Super Gel in shade starglow.
Choose the Right Foundation
When aiming for a dewy look, the foundation you choose plays a pivotal role. Opt for foundations and BB creams that offer a radiant finish. Here’s what to look for:
- Dewy Foundations: Seek out foundations labeled as “dewy,” “luminous,” or “radiant finish.” These formulas often contain light-reflecting pigments for a natural glow. Our favorite is the Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter (the perfect dupe for Charlotte Tilbury)
- Tinted Moisturizers: Tinted moisturizers are a great alternative for a light, dewy coverage. They provide hydration and a hint of color for a fresh look. The Alastin Skincare Hydratint Pro Mineral Sunscreen is the perfect product to use for glow, light coverage, and sun protection. Tinted moisturizers often have SPF, which helps protect your skin throughout the day too. Check out our blog post on the importance of SPF to learn more
- Mixing Mediums: You can customize your foundation by mixing it with a drop of facial oil or a liquid illuminator for added luminosity. A good mixer would be the Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops.
Illuminate with Highlighter
Highlighter is your best friend when it comes to achieving a dewy finish. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Placement: Apply highlighter to the high points of your face, such as the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, cupid’s bow, and brow bone.
- Formulas: Choose a liquid or cream highlighter for a natural, lit-from-within glow. Cream formulas can be blended seamlessly into the skin. The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, Glossier Haloscope, or Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter are all great options.
- Layering: Don’t be afraid to layer a powder highlighter over a cream or liquid one for an intense, long-lasting glow.
Don’t Skip Blush
Blush adds a flush of color and youthfulness to your dewy look. Opt for cream or liquid blushes as they blend seamlessly into the skin and enhance the overall dewiness.
- Application: Smile and apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending it slightly upwards towards your temples. We love the Rare Beauty Blush and the Glossier Cloud Paint.
- Shades: Choose blush shades that mimic the natural flush of your cheeks, like soft pinks, peaches, or rosy tones.
Keep Your Skin Hydrated Throughout the Day
To maintain that fresh, dewy look throughout the day, it’s essential to keep your skin hydrated. Here’s how:
- Facial Mist: Carry a hydrating facial mist in your bag and spritz it over your face whenever you need a boost of moisture and radiance. A great option is the Evian Face Water Spray.
- Blotting Papers: Use blotting papers to remove excess oil without disturbing your makeup. Look for ones that won’t mattify your skin too much.
Set Strategically
Setting your makeup is crucial to make it last, but you want to avoid a matte finish. Here’s how to set your dewy makeup without compromising its glow:
- Setting Spray: Choose a setting spray that’s specifically designed for a dewy finish. It helps lock in your makeup while adding a subtle sheen. The Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist and MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ are great choices.
- Translucent Powder: If you need to set specific areas, like the T-zone, use a minimal amount of translucent powder. Focus on areas prone to excess shine, leaving the rest of your face radiant. For a smooth perfect finish, we recommend the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder.
Maintain Your Dewy Look All Day
To ensure your dewy makeup look stays fresh from morning to night, consider these practical tips:
- Touch-Ups: Carry a small makeup bag with essentials like your lip product, blush, and a travel-sized setting spray for quick touch-ups.
- Blending Sponge: Keep a blending sponge handy to pat away any excess oils or refresh your makeup throughout the day. You can’t go wrong with a wet Real Techniques beauty blender.
- Hydrating Lip Products: Choose lip products that add moisture and a subtle sheen to your lips, such as tinted lip balms or glosses. Any Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is an essential.
Achieving a stunning dewy makeup look is all about enhancing your natural radiance. By starting with a well-prepped canvas, choosing the right products, and strategically applying makeup, you can achieve a fresh, glowing complexion that turns heads wherever you go. Remember to adapt these tips and product recommendations to your specific skin type and preferences, and most importantly, have fun experimenting with different dewy makeup looks!
