Your Step-by-Step Guide to Dewy Makeup

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While matte foundation was all the rage in 2016, these days, base makeup is all about glowy, dewy skin — especially in spring and summer. Examples of the trend range from Hailey Bieber's "glazed doughnut" skin to the "dewy dumpling" makeup you see all over Instagram, and it's not slowing down any time soon.

"When it gets to the warmer months, dewy skin increases in popularity because people tend to want to just go with the flow," professional makeup artist and content creator Jonet Williamson tells POPSUGAR. "People often decide to just lean into the moisture that comes with hot, humid, summer days instead of combating the look with powder. It's a much easier technique."

There are numerous ways to achieve the trend, but regardless of your technique, there are a few products that can help. "Dewy and satin finish foundations are imperative when it comes to getting the dewy-makeup look," Williamson says. "Additionally, cream highlighter and blush versus powder formulas also work best for this type of makeup."

If you want to achieve your own dewy-skin makeup look, Williamson broke down all of the steps that you can follow ahead.

Tools You Need For the Dewy Makeup Look

Creating the dewy makeup look is fairly simple with the right tools, many of which you may already have at home. "Dewy makeup is best achieved by using a damp beauty sponge for complexion products and using your fingers to apply cream highlighter to the high points of the face," Williamson says. If beauty sponges aren't your thing or you simply just prefer using a makeup brush, try a densely-packed complexion brush like the Omnia Pro Bom-185 ($21).

How to Achieve Dewy Makeup, Step by Step

Step 1: Prep the Skin. Perhaps the single most important step to achieving dewy skin starts before you apply any makeup. "Skin prep is super important for a dewy makeup look, and sometimes going more minimal on coverage is best," Williamson says. She suggests using hydrating moisturizers (or oils if you have a drier skin type) before applying foundation. "You can also mix your foundation with your moisturizer for a sheer, dewy base."

Step 2: Be Strategic With Primer Dewy skin is all about creating the glow exactly where you want it, so if you want to use an illuminating primer, be mindful to apply it on the areas you want it to catch light. If you have oily skin, this may seem counterintuitive, but you have options. "Strategic priming and powdering is key when it comes to dewy skin," Williamson says. "I like to use the Milk Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer ($26) in my T-zone as a last step in my skin-care routine." Another way to only glow where you want to is to use a lightweight powder, like the Uoma Beauty Tripping Smooth Powder ($30) in only the areas that you get the most oily.

Step 3: Play With Finishes Having dewy skin doesn't mean that all of your makeup products have to have the word "dewy" or "glow" on them. In fact, it can be the opposite: sometimes mixing and matching different finishes can help optimize your glow. "Pair a semi-matte concealer with a skin tint and soft-focus powder," Williamson says. "One of my favorite combos is the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer ($30), the Shiseido Synchro Skin Self Refreshing Tint ($43), and the Kosas Cloud Set Powder ($34)."

Step 4: Use a Cream Highlighter
Instead of using a traditional powder highlighter, which can sometimes create a flat matte effect, opt for a liquid or cream version instead. "My favorite thing to do right now to add a bit of glow in certain places is to take the Ami Cole Light Catching Highlighter ($22) and apply it using my fingers," Williamson says.

Step 5: Hydrate Your Lips No dewy makeup look is complete without soft, supple lips. "Try using a plumping balm, lip oil, or gloss, with a sheer wash of color to get that hydrated effect," Williamson says.

The Best Dewy Skin Makeup Looks