Dewy Makeup Finish: How to Get the Dewy Makeup Look in 6 Steps

Even though makeup trends continue to evolve, the ‘dewy’ look has an enduring appeal. Dewy makeup is timeless because it carefully balances natural beauty with radiant splendour, giving the wearer head-turning luminosity without compromising on longevity.

Mattifying products have a time and place, but dewy makeup reflects light to give all skin types a lit-from-within, healthy glow. In this step-by-step makeup guide, we’ll unveil the essential tools, techniques, and products you can use to create your desired dewy makeup finish to give you that enviable glow – day in, day out.

What is a dewy makeup look and who can wear it?

When we use ‘dewy’ in the context of makeup, the term isn’t to be conflated with ‘oily’ or ‘wet’. Instead, dewy makeup is about enhancing your natural beauty and giving your complexion a fresh, healthy glow – without looking oily. 

There’s a common misconception that dewy makeup looks are for dry skin types only – but we’re going to debunk that myth right now. In fact, many dewy makeup products are lightweight and oil-free, so they’re perfectly compatible with oily or combination skin.

The quintessential dewy makeup look will leave your skin feeling nourished, while emitting a noticeable radiance. Akin to the “no makeup” makeup look, dewy makeup prioritises hydration with the help of skin-nourishing cream and liquid makeup formulations – along with light-reflecting blushes, highlighters, and lipsticks.

How to do dewy makeup: step-by-step guide

There are a few key products you can use to help achieve your natural dewy makeup look: primer, liquid foundation, liquid concealer, blush, highlighter, and a setting spray.

To master a dewy complexion, follow this step-by-step guide:

Prep your skin with a nourishing primer.
Apply a liquid foundation with a dewy finish.
Follow with a lightweight, liquid concealer on areas where you desire more coverage.
Blend blush onto your cheeks for a natural, glowing flush.
Sweep highlighter onto areas of your face that naturally attract light.
Lock in your makeup with a setting spray for a hydrated finish.

Now, read on as we break down your dewy makeup tutorial.

1. Start with a light, glowy base

Once you have applied your skincare and SPF, you can apply a primer to give your makeup hold and improve the staying power of your products. Apply a small amount of Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer under makeup to help refine texture, boost radiance and create a supple base for dewy foundation. This primer is designed for all skin types – even oily.

Liquid foundation is the pillar of any dewy makeup look – helping to blur imperfections while amplifying luminosity to allow your natural features to shine through. For instantly glowing skin, you can apply the Luminous Silk Foundation and build your coverage as desired.

If you’re seeking a more sheer, natural look, apply your dewy foundation with your fingers. For flawless radiance, consider using a damp beauty blender, which will give you more control and coverage without masking your true skin.

2. Conceal and highlight strategically

While the goal of dewy makeup is to appear lustrous and fresh-faced, sometimes we still want to cover our more stubborn insecurities like dark circles, age spots, or blemishes.

The answer to this quandary? A lightweight, non-mattifying concealer like Luminous Silk Lightweight Liquid Concealer.

This high-coverage concealer can be used to blur and brighten areas of the face to give you a confidence boost without diminishing your radiance. When applying concealer, target areas of concern with the precise tip of the applicator, while illuminating larger areas with its flat side. Lightly blend with your fingertip for a natural-looking finish – less is more!

3. Layer a dewy blush for soft warmth

A dewy makeup look would be incomplete without a dusting of colour on the cheeks to add warmth to your complexion – so reach for a dewy blush like the Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush to achieve a second skin-like glow. Apply across the apples of your cheeks to mimic your natural flush or to the high points of your face to lightly sculpt your cheekbones.

If you’re a traditionalist who prefers working with powders, the Luminous Silk Glow Blush delivers a soft-focus glow that will complement your dewy makeup finish.

4. Add dimension with liquid highlight

If a foundation is the base for your dewy makeup, highlighter is the peak of your luminosity. Highlighter can create a stunning point of difference in your final look, emphasising parts of the face that naturally reflect light.

The Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter seamlessly melts into the skin to deliver an eye-catching glow and enhance the dimension of your face.

Use the doe-foot applicator to apply one to two dots across the tops of your cheekbones. You can also take a dusting of highlighter on your finger and dab it to your cupid’s bow, across the bride of your nose, and at the inner corners of your eyes for extra shine.

5. Set selectively

Now that you have crafted your radiant, dewy finish, you can set your artistry. Depending on your skin type, you may reach for just a setting spray to give your skin a fresh appearance while locking your makeup in place, or you may want to control oily areas with a powder first.

If you do have oilier skin, we suggest a light dusting of the Luminous Silk Glow Fusion Face Powder around the t-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) only. This will help you minimise unwanted shine while maintaining your glowy finish.

6. Finish with a glossy lip and shimmery eye

If you want to add a final flourish to your dewy makeup, try incorporating a glossy lip and shimmery eye shadow to your end look.

Our Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow delivers long-lasting pigment and a smooth finish, so you can opt for a shimmer shade to complement your glowy aesthetic.

A lip gloss is going to give you that fresh-faced look along with ample shine. If you want to keep your lip colour neutral, we suggest the Prisma Glass Lip Gloss in ‘Clear Shine’, which is also formulated with 14% squalane for maximum hydration.

Best Armani beauty products for a dewy makeup finish

Unlocking the perfect dewy makeup look hinges on your choice of products. Armani beauty’s iconic Luminous Silk range is designed to achieve radiant results while maintaining maximum comfort.

You can elevate your dewy makeup game with these hero products:

Luminous Silk Foundation – the pinnacle of dewy foundations, Armani beauty’s Luminous Silk Foundation has been formulated to support all skin types and tones. With an extended range of 40 shades and bespoke Micro-fil™ technology, this oil-free foundation feels weightless on the skin while offering unparalleled radiance.
Luminous Silk Concealer – this concealer’s lightweight and lustrous finish pairs perfectly with the Luminous Silk Foundation. It’s infused with glycerin to provide long-lasting hydration as well as caffeine and vitamin E to help reduce dark undereye circles for a more unified skin tone.
Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter – formulated with a blend of micro-pearl technology, this watery – yet creamy – highlighter creates a multi-dimensional glow to complement your dewy makeup aesthetic.
Luminous Silk Cheek Tint Liquid Blush – a water-in-oil emulsion that gives the cheeks a ‘freshly pinched’ wash of colour, this liquid blush fuses seamlessly with the skin for a radiant payoff.

3 tips for long-lasting dewy makeup

Although dewy makeup has the finish of fresh, hydrated skin, you still want your products to stay in place for the day ahead. So, we’ve put together our expert tips to get the best performance out of your dewy makeup products:

Take a less-is-more approach to application – thin layers will last longer without shifting on the skin.
A hydrating primer is optional for an extra dewy step – and helps smooth over rough texture and dry patches for longer lasting dewy foundation.
If applying powder to control oil-prone areas, use a light touch and be strategic with your placement to maintain a fresh appearance.
Setting spray will help lock in your makeup products while preserving your dewy glow. You can also use it to refresh your makeup throughout the day.

Dewy makeup vs glowy makeup: Is there a difference?

We often talk about dewy vs glowy makeup in the same context, and while they do complement each other, there are some slight differences between these two aesthetics:

Dewy makeup is about crafting a fresh-faced, pared back look that mimics the look of freshly moisturised skin.
Glowy makeup focuses on amplifying luminosity with a range of light-reflecting products – but you might use more coverage than a straight dewy look. Glowy makeup products tend to enhance a dewy style, because the boost of radiance adds further dimension to the skin.

If you’re ready to dive into your dewy makeup routine, explore our guide on how to choose a foundation colour for your skin tone.