Who doesn’t want bright, glowing skin? The dewy look is all the rage, and it’s one of the best ways to brighten up your face for the spring. After a long winter of dry air, freezing temperatures, snow, and dark makeup, a little extra hydration and some brighter colors can be just the boost you need for the season.
If you’re thinking about trying the dewy look, check out our seven-step routine below to help you attain it.
1. Moisturize
The secret to dewy skin starts with, well, your skincare routine. Make sure you use a moisturizer all over your face right after you cleanse so that you can rehydrate your skin. For best results, try to use a moisturizer without alcohol in it. Alcohol tends to dry out skin, which definitely doesn’t help when you want dewy results. Some common alcohol ingredients to avoid are SD alcohol, alcohol denat, and isopropyl alcohol. On the other hand, certain alcohols like cetyl alcohol come from fats, which can be moisturizing and anti-bacterial.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream or CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion are both great moisturizing options for all skin types.
Related: 7 Skincare Habits All College Girls Need to Have
2. Use a matte primer
Even though it seems contradictory, a matte primer will help control the oils that can make your face look greasy. Give the primer a minute to set, and then you can move onto foundation. For a matte primer with a hydrating boost, try Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Prime or Elf Studio Hydrating Face Primer.
3. Put on an illuminating foundation
Using a damp Beauty Blender or makeup sponge, apply a dewy or illuminating foundation all over your face. Usually, these foundations are light coverage, so if you need heavier coverage, you can try a concealer or layer the dewy foundation on top of a full coverage matte foundation. For a lightweight, illuminating foundation, try Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation or L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation.
Caroline Kinsella, a student at Boston University, says that she thinks a dewy look is less about the maintenance. “It’s about fewer layers and light foundation, that’s the best way to get the look if you have greasy skin,” says Kinsella.
4. Swipe on some blush
For a dewy look, your blush should be the same shade that your cheeks naturally become after exercising. Cream blushes are great for glowing looks, but can sometimes be tricky to work with. You can use a powder too, just make sure to start light and build up the color gradually on the apples of your cheeks. Remember to blend well! Try Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek or Ulta’s Lip + Cheek Color Stick for a dual-purpose, easy-to-use blush.
5. Get your glow on with a highlighter
Using a tapered or fan brush, swipe some highlighter on your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, eyebrow bone, and inner eye corners. The shimmer from the highlighter will pick up the light from the high points on your face and make it glow. We love Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter or Maybelline Face Studio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter.
6. Put on some lip balm and any other makeup you’re in the mood for
Lip balm is perfect for moisturizing your lips and finishing off a dewy beauty look. Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment or Vaseline Rosy Lip Therapy are great balms for getting moisturized lips. But if you’re feeling a lip color or eyeshadows, remember that the best colors for keeping the brightness in your face are usually on the lighter side.
7. Use a finishing spray to set
Finish off your entire look with a dewy setting spray. The spray will keep your makeup intact and your face moisturized throughout your entire day. We love Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist from Tarte or NYX Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray.
And if your skin starts building up some oils at the end of the day, you can always use some blotting papers instead of completely mattifying your makeup with powder.
So no matter your skin type, you don’t have to fear dewy makeup! In fact, sometimes those pesky natural oils can even be used to your advantage.