Your 9-Step Guide to Mastering Dewy Makeup (Without Looking Sweaty)

Dewy, luminous, fresh-looking skin—it's the bedrock of many trending beauty looks (glazed-doughnut skin, dolphin skin, glass skin—the limit does not exist), but a radiant, well-hydrated beat will truly never fall out of favor.

But there's a fine line between crafting an expertly dewy face beat and just looking wet. An errant swipe of highlighter, and you can easily fall into sweaty-face territory, especially during warmer months when makeup loves to slide off your face by midday. (No? Just me?)

Dewy-makeup lovers, I got you! I consulted top makeup artists on how to master a natural flush and make sure it looks fresh all day. Find their full nine-step tutorial below, along with expert- and editor-loved products to nail that glowy—never-sweaty!—finish.

1. Prep

Make no mistake: Proper skin prep is crucial for a dewy makeup look. After all, dewy makeup is all about healthy, naturally flushed-looking skin, and your skincare can do much of the heavy lifting. Take it from celebrity makeup artist Nikki DeRoest, founder of Ciele Cosmetics. "A dewy look is best when it is lit from within, which comes from great skin prep," she tells WWW.

The right skincare prep will ultimately depend on your individual skin type, but generally, you'll want to look for ultra-hydrating products with a dewy finish. "Using a moisturizer loaded with hyaluronic acid, a hydrating serum, and a hydrating sunscreen are easy ways to create a base for a dewy complexion," notes makeup artist and Executive Director of Product Development at Polite Society Ana Tamayo.

If you have oily skin, you might want to use a lighter gel-cream moisturizer for that dewy (not sweaty) sheen. Conversely, "If your skin is extremely dry, don't be afraid to add a few drops of a face oil in with your moisturizer as well," DeRoest adds.

2. Prime

To prime or not to prime, that is the question—and again, it's up to your skin type. If you have oily skin, primer is wonderful for keeping shine at bay and ensuring your complexion products stay put. Those with drier complexions might shy away, but makeup artist Tisha Thompson, founder of LYS Beauty, says it's great for those with dry or mature skin, too.

"Finding a great primer is a cheat code to concealing fine lines and wrinkles and preventing the products from settling into the skin," she says. "When I [prime], it's the LYS Beauty Secure Skin Gripping Primer or Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator because although I like a radiant look, I need it to last all day, and the gripping effect helps with that."

3. Create Your Base

No matter your base (foundation, BB cream, skin tint, etc.), cream and liquid formulas are king. However, that doesn't mean you must opt for a dewy finish—contrary to popular belief, matte formulas can work if you do the proper skin prep.

"I typically get all the dewiness, bounce, and hydration from skincare first and then use a natural or matte-finish serum or foundation," DeRoest says. "That combination of skincare with a non-greasy foundation is what gives the ultimate dew." If you're looking for even more of a glow, you can always add a few drops of face oil to your base product before applying. (I love Westman Atelier's Liquid Super Loaded Highlighter Drops for this purpose.)

In terms of application, both Tamayo and Thompson prefer to use a damp beauty sponge over brushes. There's always a time and place for a finger-painting moment, but "I actually prefer using a damp beauty sponge to blend out radiance-boosting products because it offers the most natural, glowy finish," Thompson says.

4. Spot Conceal

According to celebrity makeup artist Beau Nelson, director of Lashify Pro, spot concealing is key—meaning, use a full-coverage concealer sparingly on areas of discoloration or spots you'd like to disguise so that you can keep a dewy, skin-like finish. "Let your concealer dry down a bit before blending to balance coverage and radiance," Thompson adds. When you give the formula time to oxidize, you can actually use less product to achieve your desired level of coverage.

For the under-eyes, here's a TikTok tip I learned from celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes: Apply a dollop of concealer to the heel of your palm, then use a fluffy brush to buff the product into your hand before swiping the brush underneath and around your eyes. You'll get a "less is more" effect with your concealer that looks incredibly natural.

5. Add Some Bronze

Next up is bronzer and/or contour. In addition to a dewy finish, "they need to have the perfect shade depth," says Thompson. Watch out for bronzing products that contain glittery elements, though; for a dewy flush that looks lit from within, non-shimmery formulas are a bit more convincing. With your product of choice, apply just underneath your cheekbones to add some depth, along your hairline, and across your jaw for a snatched appearance.

6. Apply Your Blush

Cream blush reigns supreme when it comes to dewy makeup, but powders can play an important role! "I often use powder blushes as a setting powder to amplify the pigment or create custom colors," Thompson shares. Choose your duo (if you please), and apply slowly to build intensity. "I apply them using a stippling brush to pack on the color gradually," Thompson adds.

There are, no joke, dozens of ways you can apply blush (find some helpful tutorials here), but generally, for a fresh, youthful appearance, you'll want to place color on the apples of your cheeks and blend outward with a soft touch on your nose.

7. Set the Look

"Once I've applied blush and bronzer with brushes, I apply a coat of setting spray, then use a complexion sponge to blend any harsh lines," says Thompson. This is also your time to powder areas where you accrue the most shine, but the pros recommend using it sparingly. "You can still powder, but just in the areas where you want to reduce shine," DeRoest notes. "Typically the cheeks, on the sides of the nose, the middle of the forehead, and the center of the chin." For overall facial balance, a few spritzes of setting spray can help lock in the makeup without sacrificing the dew.

8. Catch the Light

Now that you've minimized extra shine, it's time to strategically place more dew. Feel free to use a cream or powder highlighter depending on how much extra shine you prefer, but make sure your formula doesn't read too shimmery. According to Thompson, glittery specks can accentuate texture. "I prefer using glossy highlighters, like Chanel Baume Essentiel, as opposed to shimmery ones," adds Nelson. "These types of highlighters add a layer of reflective moisture to the face that makes it look like you just came from the spa." Sounds dreamy!

As for the application, "I love applying highlighter with my fingertips or a brush to build layers, finishing with a complexion sponge for a seamless finish," Thompson explains. Tamayo recommends applying the product on the top of your cheekbones, your Cupid's bow, and on the bridge of your nose. "This technique will balance out and accentuate the dewy base and avoid making you look greasy or sweaty," she says.

9. Add a Juicy Lip

Dewy skin is the focus here (feel free to add a slick of mascara if that calls to you!), but a juicy pop of color on the lips can certainly add to the equation. "Choose hydrating lip products, like tinted lip balms or creamy lipsticks. Matte lipsticks can detract from the overall dewy look," DeRoest says.

Better yet, if you have a sheer lip color you love, go ahead and use it as a blush for a monochromatic look. "It will give you a reflective glow and a slight tint of color," says Nelson.

Extra Pro Tips

The makeup artists I spoke to rattled off so many helpful tips and tricks that I'd be remiss not to include! Find some last-minute hacks ahead.

• For those with mature skin, "opt for lightweight, hydrating makeup formulas to avoid settling into fine lines, [and] minimize the use of powder to maintain a youthful, dewy appearance." — DeRoest
• "You don't want to look overly dewy by wearing every glossy product on the market all over your face. It's about balance and varying textures." — Tamayo
• "If skin is the focus, then keep eyes and lips neutral, and let your skin do the talking. A simple taupe shadow or a pinky brown on the eyes, a 'your-lips-but-better' sheer lipstick, and a great blush is all you need." — Nelson
• "Prep your lips with the same intentionality as your complexion, so regularly exfoliating and utilizing moisture-rich formulas for supple-looking skin." — Thompson
• "Pat a small amount of facial oil on the high points of your face before applying makeup for added radiance." — DeRoest
• "Remember: Less is more to avoid feeling heavy or wet. Try applying thin layers of products and build as needed!" — Tamayo

This article was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.