Are you dreaming about dewy makeup?

In case you’re not familiar, dewy makeup refers to that fresh-faced, ultra-hydrated look where skin seems to glow from the inside out. Think of it like the opposite of matte makeup—instead of a smooth, no-shine, velvety look, dewy makeup gives light-reflecting radiance. You know, like your face is glistening with dew!

Basically, the dewy makeup look will leave you with luminous, plump-looking skin that catches the light in all the right places. And the best part is that it’s achievable for every skin type.

What is Dewy Makeup?

Dewy makeup makes it appear as though your skin is fresh off a 12-hour hydration binge. It delivers luminous, light-reflecting radiance that gives skin a naturally plump, well-rested, and healthy appearance. (Importantly, this look is not shiny or greasy—more on this later.)

The dewy makeup trend has had a huge impact on the beauty scene. In the past, the gold standard of “done” makeup was a flat, powdered matte finish. While matte still has its place, dewy makeup has exploded in popularity, reminding us that healthy, hydrated-looking skin is always in style.

Dewy vs. Oily

Now, we can’t stress enough that dewy and oily are not the same thing. In other words, you can’t achieve a dewy makeup look by slathering your face with oils and hoping for the best. The secret to dewy makeup is controlling where the glow appears.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Dewy – Strategically placed glow on the high points of your face (think cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow).
• Oily – Shine everywhere, especially in your T-zone. Oil looks unintentional and causes your makeup to start sliding off by noon.

This begs the question: How do you achieve a dewy makeup look?

Prep Your Skin for Dewy Makeup

Beautiful dewy makeup starts before you even open a single makeup product. First, you must prep and hydrate your skin.

Exfoliate

Dead skin cells that linger on the face create texture that disrupts your glow. Think about it like this: A bumpy skin surface can’t reflect light as evenly.

To get rid of those stagnant cells, you have to exfoliate. This is where we recommend using the POREfessional Degunker 1-2 times a week to instantly clear pores and cleanse blackheads. Apply it as a mask on the skin, letting it soak in for 15-30 minutes so that the alkaline PH formula can loosen dead skin cells. Then, rinse it off and use the built-in stainless steel extractor to clear away any extra gunk.

With regular use, your skin will become smooth, clear, and ready to glow.

Hydrate

Dewy makeup needs hydrated skin the way a plant needs water. That’s because if your skin is dehydrated, no amount of dewy products will give you a luminous glow.

After cleansing your skin, apply a lightweight moisturizer, like The POREfessional Smooth Sip lightweight smoothing moisturizer for pores. This ultra-hydrating formula offers 12-hour* hydration & skin-balancing benefits. Plus, it’s suitable for all skin types.

*instrumental test on 30 participants

Make sure to let it absorb into your skin before doing your makeup to truly reap the benefits.

How to Create a Dewy Makeup Look

Now that your skin is prepped and hydrated, it’s time to learn how to achieve a dewy makeup look.

Step 1: Skip the Heavy Foundation

Heavy, full-coverage foundation sits on top of your skin and absorbs light, rather than reflecting it. Opt for a tinted moisturizer, serum foundation, or light coverage formula instead. These products allow you to balance your complexion without creating too much of a mattifying effect.

If you want to take it a step further, try applying your base with your fingers rather than a brush. Your fingers will warm up the formula as you apply it, which helps it melt into the skin instead of sitting on top of it. Dab and press when you use this method (rather than buff and blend).

Our favorite tip for a dewy base? Applying Dew-la-la liquid glow before your go-to foundation (we love The POREfessional Foundation) to create an even glow.

Step 2: Add Color & Glow

Cream and liquid highlighter formulas are the best for a dewy makeup look. Avoid anything powdery or glittery that might actually dull your shine and look more sparkly than dewy.

Apply your highlighter to the high points of your face. These are the spots that naturally catch light–you’re just helping them along. Blend until there are no harsh edges.

For an extra juicy, dewy look, add the [NEW Juice Stick] to your palette. It delivers a lightly colored flush that's sheer, buildable, and seriously hydrating. In fact, it’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like . Swipe it on then blend with your fingers for a juicy glow.

Step 3: Set Strategically (Not Everywhere)

The keyword here is strategic. Apply a light dusting of translucent powder only where you tend to get oily (for instance, the T-zone), avoiding other areas like your cheekbones.

This controls unwanted shine while keeping your glowy makeup exactly where you put it.

Step 4: Invite Your Brows to the Party

Your skin may be the star of your dewy makeup look, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about your brows! Luckily, our [NEW Dream Sheen Brow Glaze] gives you a glossy, fresh-faced brow that complements the dewy aesthetic.

 Step 5: Finish With a Juicy Lip

Complete your dewy makeup look with an equally dewy lip product, like Splashtint moisturizing dewy lip tint. This lightweight formula glides on smooth and delivers 8 hours* of moisture.

*instrumental test on 28 participants

Get Your Glow On with Benefit

If you’ve been dreaming about dewy makeup, it’s time to wake up and make it a reality. Start by prepping your skin with regular, gentle exfoliation and plenty of hydrating moisture. Once you’ve got that natural glow, achieving a dewy makeup look becomes a breeze—especially when you have the right Benefit products in your kit. 

Shop our collections today to put together your dewy makeup dream team.

Sources:

Todd, S. (2022, July 20). Why getting dewy skin became a global obsession. Quartz.https://qz.com/quartzy/1673214/why-dewy-skin-became-an-international-obsession.