Makeup trends come and makeup trends go, but one look that's not going anywhere anytime soon is dewy skin. If like me, you follow tons of celebrity makeup artists, influencers, and beauty editors then your Instagram feed is probably a treasure trove of popping highlights and radiant complexions. And while there's no denying it's a beautiful look, it's also super functional, since the added oils and humectants bring out the best in dry and mature skin types.
This glowy look is a gateway to youthful, healthy-looking skin, but achieving it for yourself might feel like an unsolvable mystery. Aside from a kickass skincare routine, you'll want to grab a dewy foundation to give your skin that perfect, glassy finish. To get the best options for us, I asked five of my favorite makeup artists and beauty editors to share the ones that make their beauty-loving heart skip a beat.
Read on for all their favorite dewy foundations, along with a few more that have earned top reviews.
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Aqua Foundation
"This is without a doubt my go-to foundation when I want my skin to look dewy and glowy but not oily or greasy. The coverage is super-buildable, and I love how weightless the consistency is so you really don't feel like you're wearing anything. I can definitely feel some dewy foundations sitting on top of my face—it's not a sensation I love—and this is not one of them!" — Erin Jahns, Who What Wear beauty director
Wear it with:
"I always pair it with the brand's yellow-toned Maifanshi Makeup Color Base. It completely counteracts the redness I sometimes experience due to acne or sensitivity." — Jahns
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Concealer
"I LOVE this concealer-foundation hybrid so much, but it is definitely dewy and luminous, so I save it for when my skin is on the drier side like in the fall or winter. You can really build this formula up or thin it out however suits your fancy, but regardless of how much you use, your skin will look really plump and radiant." — Jahns
Wear it with:
"I'm a primer person, so I usually use the Sensual Skin Primer underneath, and for extra glow, I'll add a touch of the brand's Glass Glow Face Liquid Highlighter ($35) to any areas I want to highlight like my Cupid's bow and cheekbones." — Jahns
Fenty Pro Filt'R Hydrating Longwear Foundation
"I love the Fenty because it has grapeseed oil and is super nourishing for dry skin. Bonus points that I can find my absolute right shade in this range. It goes on so smoothly and lasts all day." — Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, host of Naked Beauty Podcast
Wear it with:
This primer from the Fenty line has many of the same nourishing ingredients as the foundation, making it the perfect compliment to wear underneath. It's scented, so those with ultra-sensitive skin should patch test to make sure it doesn't cause irritation.
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
"The Pat McGrath Sublime Skin Fetish Foundation is my go-to for a really polished perfect look. It has a dewy finish that looks like skin. It’s not so high coverage that you can’t see your own skin shine through, which I love." — Ozaydinli
Wear it with:
"I finally found a clean beauty primer that I love from Lawless, so I’ve been using it as my base!" — Ozaydinli
Armani Beauty Neo Nude Foundation
"I love this skincare infused lightweight creamy foundation, it feels like you’re wearing nothing. It enhances your own skin, creating the perfect no-makeup look. I recommend using the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer underneath the foundation, for extra luminosity and glow to the skin." — Mai Quynh, celebrity makeup artist
Wear it with:
"I recommend using the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer underneath the foundation, for extra luminosity and glow to the skin." — Quynh
Exa High Fidelity Foundation
"This satin finish, buildable foundation leaves your skin with a soft, natural dewiness. It contains skincare [ingredients], such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera juice. With 43 shades to choose from, glowing skin can be achieved by anyone." — Quynh
Wear it with:
"I recommend using Exa Jump Start Smoothing Primer with this foundation, for longer wear and a cool blurring effect." — Quynh
Kosas Tinted Face Oil Foundation
"This face oil foundation is what dewy skin dreams are made of. It is super breathable, allows for my freckles to show but still provides medium coverage, and hydrates my skin. Win, win, win."—Chloe Hall, beauty editor
Wear It With…
"My favorite product to layer is probably the Glossier Haloscope. It’s super buildable so I can add a subtle bit of highlight or shine like the Chrysler building, all depending on my mood." — Hall
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup
"This Chanel foundation is so versatile because it has amazing coverage and can be blended down to be sheer while still providing a beautiful flawless finish. It's super hydrating and looks incredible on camera. It has not let me down!"— Sarah Nelson, celebrity makeup artist
Wear It With…
"I love to use the La Mer Renewal Oil as a primer for dewy skin. I'll also add a couple of drops to my favorite dewy foundations." — Nelson
"This balm is the best to finish off your dewy look. Layer this product on the top of your cheekbones, forehead, nose, Cupid's bow, décolletage, eyelids, and anywhere you want to glow up even more!" — Nelson
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
"This one has clean ingredients, which I love and I think is very important for the health of your skin. It's a lightweight foundation that plumps your skin and keeps it hydrated and dewy. For the ultimate dewy glow, it's all about combining multiple products to give you the best payoff." — Nelson
Wear It With…
"I love to prep the skin with oil. I'll use the Omorovicza Miracle Facial Oil and then I add an extra layer of dew on the highpoints of the face with the Saie Glowy Super Gel ($25) that I love!" — Nelson
Nelson also loves this finishing spray for sealing in all the glowy goodness she creates for her clients.
More Top-Rated Dewy Foundations
This breathable skin tint if perfect for those who like to keep everyone guessing whether or not they're even wearing makeup. It's packed with skin-loving ingredients like glycerin and diamond powder to retain moisture and blur imperfections.
Reviewers with dry skin have flocked to the Ulta comments section to rave about this affordable option, swearing that it's basically the key to glowy skin during the winter. They seriously can't get enough.
Charlotte Tilbury has a foundation to fit every need, so it's no surprise that this one ticks a box for the glow getters among us. It's lightweight but doesn't scrimp on the radiance it imparts. Some reviewers with oily skin have commented that this formula doesn't have the best staying power, but those who live in dry climates, are prepping for fall and winter, or have more dry skin should be good to go.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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