You can’t seem to turn your head these days without seeing another influencer on social media spotting the dewy, glass skin look. Driven by Korea’s wildly popular dramas and music culture, it has taken the world by storm but are you struggling to recreate that perfect Instagrammable pic? Here are a few tips that’ll help you on your way!
Don’t we all want dewy and luminous skin? It is one of the biggest beauty trends right now. We’ve seen it on red carpets and runways - it appears we’ve finally escaped that crazy clown-contour phase and thank goodness for that because glowing like a goddess can never go out of style.
But the thing is, most of us don’t wake up with perfectly dewy skin like in the movies, and that’s completely okay. You really only need a basic skincare routine, a few products and tools and the right technique to master that glowy and not greasy look.
So, what exactly is a dewy makeup look? Basically, it’s the perfect marriage between hydrating skincare and moisture-packed makeup. Dewy makeup can probably be achieved with products you already have in your makeup bag and not to mention, some skincare products as well. Want to know how you can get a lit-from-within glow? Read on to draw from us some beauty tips for your skin!
01 Use Glow-Enhancing Lotion or Primer with Pink Undertones
Prepping your skin is key to healthy, glowing skin. If your face isn’t fresh, there’s no way your makeup is going to end up looking pretty. Use a hydrating lotion that absorbs into your skin or a primer with pink undertones – and make this a habit!
You need to prime and hydrate your skin even in the summer and add it to your basic skincare routine because this will reduce the appearance of blemishes and hydrate any parched, dry areas on your skin. Once your lotion or primer soaks in, prime your face for an even, flawless-looking complexion.
If you don’t have a lotion or primer, you could substitute it with a lightweight moisturiser! The keyword is “dewy” so we need to make the beauty in your skin shine with radiance from the extra moisture. This tiny step will also help your makeup last longer.
If you are looking for a glow-enhancing lotion, try the Tone Up Cream from The Pure Lotus that is formulated with pink calamine, Vitamin B12 and pearl extract that helps to brighten your skin tone.
02 Add Serums To Your Foundation
Mixing two drops of your favourite serum into your foundation makes all the difference when it comes to your complexion – think brighter, more hydrated skin that feels supple all day. I know this tip might seem a little weird but if you really think about it, there is a method to the madness.
Adding skincare, typically serums, to your base makeup would make your foundation slightly watery which would hydrate your skin when it is applied. By doing so, your foundation won’t be as thick and make your face look cakey but instead give you that natural, porcelain-like skin as well.
If you have oily skin, try to use water-based serums like the Illuminate Nutri-serum Concentrate instead of oil-based serums. If you are also living in a hot and humid climate, like Singapore, this rule applies too! Trust me, you wouldn’t want to risk getting pimples, blackheads and whatnots on your skin.
One quick way to achieve that natural glow is to use therapeutic foundations like the Platinum Mineral Foundation Active Glow that contains hydrating and brightening actives such as Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin and Squalene. This may be more convenient than having to mix your own serums in.
On top of mixing your serums, another way to ensure hydration is to complete your basic skincare routine and allow the skincare products to really seep into your skin before you start applying on your makeup.
03 Wet Your Make-Up Brush or Sponge
One trick I like to do is 'dampen' whatever I'm using to apply my liquid foundation. So I would wash my foundation brush to clean away the old foundation from the day before, then apply my liquid foundation while the brush is damp.
This is one make-up hack that I found on Pinterest when I was in high school and still practice to this day! Not only does it feel better to blend your foundation into your skin, it is also a lot easier to blend the subsequent makeup products as well.
Make sure your brush or sponge or beauty blender is a little damp, not dripping wet, this will help you to apply your foundation well and achieve a dewy makeup look. It prevents your foundation from being streaky too.
04 Seal Make-Up With A Glowy Setting Spray
Now that you’ve created your ultimate dewy makeup look, don’t let it fade on you fast! When you’re applying creamy products, setting your makeup as a last step is just as crucial as priming your skin first.
Certain setting sprays have shimmers in them which helps to set your makeup while giving your skin that extra shine. However, for those who have acne-prone or sensitive skin, it’s best to steer clear of them as it could irritate your skin and cause breakouts.
Certain setting sprays also come with a touch of hydration which is again, key to a glowy and dewy makeup look. When applying, hold your spray 8-10 inches from your face and mist all over. They help to give your skin a boost of glow so make sure to bring a travel-sized along with you to touch up on the go.
05 Apply Sunscreen or Sunblock
We can’t stress enough on the importance of incorporating SPF in your basic skincare routine. You need to protect the beauty of your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun all year round and sunscreens or sunblocks do just that. They protect against sun damage and can help you achieve that natural radiant glow.
Choose one that has a moisturising effect like the award-winning Jeju Botanical Sun Cream that will not only protect your skin from harmful UV rays, but also help keep your skin hydrated and glowing through the day.
Some sunscreens like the Sun Project Shimmer Sun Essence even have a cosmetic brightening effect that can further enhance your makeup for the perfect dewy glow!
These sunscreens are suitable for oily skin so you don’t have to worry about your skin looking or feeling greasy halfway through the day.
Taking this mindful step, you can reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature ageing, hyperpigmentation and sunburns. When it comes to the perfect glow, it’s important to remember that the trick is for it to look natural and preventing sun damage will make it easier for you to achieve that natural glow with less makeup.
So, the best way to achieve glowy makeup is - and the irony isn’t lost on me - to use your skin’s natural radiance instead of layering it with tons of makeup products. Having a naturally glowy (skin) canvas to work on makes it easier to achieve that dewy, glowy makeup and it all starts with protecting your skin from sun damage that can leave your skin dry and dull.
About the writer
Hanna is a writer, dog-lover, and beauty connoisseur. Outside of writing, she spends most of her time snuggling her cocker spaniel pup, trying all kinds of fitness classes, and attempting to learn to cook.
