I have received this question too many times to count; I probably get asked twice a week on Quora. So today I thought I would tackle: how to achieve dewy skin.
Bye bye heavy countouring; dewy skin is IN! Which is fantastic news because keeping your face perfectly matte this time of year is pretty much impossible (though getting easier as the weeks march on). However, there is a huge difference between looking ‘dewy’ and looking like you just ran a 5K.
Dewy skin can give you a fresh, youthful appearance, but overdoing it can make you look like an oily mess! Here are some tips and tricks to rocking perfect, dewy skin:
For Seriously Dewy Skin: Skincare First
Step 1: Cleanse + Exfoliate
Before you even think about applying any makeup, you need to work on your base! If you have dry, flaky skin, no amount of makeup will make you look dewy. So start off with a gentle cleanser, nothing that will strip the skin of it’s natural oil or make your skin feel tight, as well as a very gentle facial exfoliator to flake off the dry skin. I suggest Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser (it is amazingly gentle and smells like roses!) and ViaBuff’s extra gentle (purple) exfoliator.
Step 2: Moisturize + Protect
Then go in with a daily moisturizer (SPF first, preferably! here’s my fav) and let that set for about 10 minutes. I really don’t have a favorite moisturizer, but I have heard good things about Kiehl’s ultra facial moisturizer (pictured) and it’s affordable to boot ($21).
Step 3: Get the Glow
For a super glow, once your moisturizer is absorbed, go back in with a light face oil (like SHINE). Press the oil into your skin gently and.. you’re ready for the next step! The face oil will act as a primer for your foundation, giving you a perfect dewy glow.
Pro Tip: And by the way, if you want some really seriously glow skin, the Chinese traditionalist and Amber Rose agree on what you should do before you ever step into the bathroom.
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Makeup Second: A Strong Foundation
Now it’s time for the foundation. Use a product formulated for ‘dry’ skin or one that is made specifically to give you a healthy glow (such as Nars ‘Sheer Glow’ or Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk). If you are feeling particularly ambitious, or want an extra boost of shine, you can mix a liquid highlight in with your foundation (try Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector). I recommend applying your concoction with a damp sponge (like the Beauty Blender) to sheer the foundation out a bit. Again–get it wet, first. It’s not intuitive, but it is necessary to get a good dewy blend.
For a full guide on how to choose and apply foundation for aging skin, check out our guide here.
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Stick To Cream Products
After applying your foundation with a brush or damp beauty blender, continue your normal routine but stick to liquid or cream products, instead of using powder blushes, bronzers, and highlights. Cream products look much more natural and won’t give you the dreaded ‘cake face’ once your makeup starts to melt in the heat (which is pretty much unavoidable during this time of year because if the sun doesn’t get you, the humidity will).
If you’re going for cream bronzer/blush, I suggest the liquid version of NARS laguna and orgasm. They’re really the best bronzer / blush duo out there; you can buy them as singles in cream form. Eye makeup will matter much less about whether it’s cream/liquid/powder; it’s all about the skin, baby!
If you have oily skin you can LIGHTLY set that cream product with a translucent powder (like the RCMA No Color Powder–the best on the market) and carry blotting papers–like these $5 blotters from ELF–with you for touchups throughout the day.
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