Everything You Need To Know To Get Dewy, Glowing Skin

Master glowing skin make-up looks with the dewy-centric tips experts reveal to achieve that captivating glow.

The dewy make-up look has been the mainstream aesthetic for quite some time now. It has replaced the heavily made-up contouring of Instagram past. Now it’s all about glass-like, dolphin skin – that has from a dewy to almost wet look glow. 

One factor attributed to this change of beauty behaviour is living amid a pandemic. Many of us are still wearing less make-up than we used to. 71% of women surveyed by NPD Beauty said they “wear make-up less often due to COVID-19 lifestyle changes.”

Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager, couldn’t agree more: “Based on our experience, people are spending more time on skincare and less time on make-up. It’s as a result of having more time at home and also dealing with problematic pandemic-related skincare concerns like maskne.” 

Adding, “Mask wearing has affected skin in terms of dehydration level but also congestion. When it comes to make-up, we see more people wanting a dewy make-up look. More emphasis on the eyes and less on bold lips.”  

What is dewy skin?

Dewy skin refers to skin that looks healthy, radiant, and is supple and smooth to touch. 

“Dewy, glowing skin, if it is a healthy glow rather than excess oil, comes from a high-water content in the epidermis [outer layer of the skin]. Of course, you can cheat the look with make-up, but to achieve ‘lit from within skin’ we would also recommend a consistent skincare regimen, with hydration and exfoliation,” McHale advises.

2 expert-approved ways to achieve your best dewy, glowing skin

1. Commit to a dewy skincare routine

Before we get started, it is important to point out that there is no such thing as a single correct skincare routine. When choosing the right facial cleanser, moisturiser, or foundation – one must know their skin type. 

Step 1: Exfoliate

If dewy, glowing skin is the goal, you’ll need to slough away dryness and dullness. McHale suggests exfoliating first to make sure dead skin cells are out of the way, so skin is more receptive to hydrating products. 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation can leave your skin looking brighter and improve the effectiveness of topical skincare products by enhancing absorption.  

McHale recommends using the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser. This scrub cleanses and exfoliates, gently removing everything that makes the skin look dull, leaving smooth, soft, and luminous skin. 

The orange extract tones up and the moringa seed extract purifies and refines the skin. 

Step 2: Hydrate

After the cleansing and exfoliating process, hydration is next. 

According to McHale, “the more water you have in your skin, the more light-reflective it is. Hydration is the absolute key.”

She recommends the products in the Hydra-Essentiel range because they are packed with the most hydrating ingredients, including the Leaf of Life, a succulent plant known in cosmetics to boost the skin’s natural hydration mechanisms.

For this step, Hydra-Essentiel Bi-phase Serum works best. This formula is perfect for women looking for intensive moisture. Followed by the Double Serum for a brighter, smoother complexion. 

Step 3: Moisturise

While hydrating skin requires adding water to it, moisturizing means adding ingredients that lock the water inside. Post serum, use the Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream moisturiser for an added radiance boost. 

2. How to get dewy, glowing skin with make-up

When people see glowing skin, they think of healthy skin. The key to mastering this effortlessly dewy look is to wear as little make-up as possible. Here are dewy skin make-up tips experts swear by. 

Step 1: Start with a glowy base

Using a primer helps to prep the skin before make-up application. A product like SOS does this job perfectly as it evens the skin tone and blurs fine lines and imperfections, and the active plant ingredient, sea lily, naturally illuminates and hydrates the skin. 

Step 2: Apply an ample amount of foundation

McHale recommends “using a serum-textured foundation compared to heavy formulas. This gives immediate freshness and a beautiful glow without masking the skin’s natural beauty. 

Skin Illusion Foundation is a good choice. It is formulated with red Jania extract and light optimising complex which instantly revives radiance.”

Step 3: Conceal dark circles

Since we are going for the look that says you have had eight hours of sleep, meditated and had a green smoothie all before 8 am, we may need to fully conceal those dark circles with something like the Everlasting Concealer. 

This light-weight but high coverage concealer is enriched with organic oat sugar with skin-tightening benefits, horse chestnut, which activates microcirculation and organic quinoa extract to maintain hydration on the skin. 

Step 4: Add some pigment

Cream blushes and liquid highlighters are your new best friends. The Glow 2 Go double-ended cream stick is both blush and highlighter and blendable with fingertips giving an ultra-luminous effect.

Step 5: Coat your lashes

Just a couple of coats would do the trick. McHale raves about the Mascara Supra Volume because it is part lash care, part make-up. For a more lifted, youthful effect, draw a thin line above your lashes using a felt-tip eyeliner.

Step 6: Finish with a matte lip

Pros recommend finishing the dewy make-up look with subdued lips. A matte lip would be perfect. Opt for natural shades like coral or nude as this keeps the glowy skin the focus of the face. 

Step 7: Set with a face mist

Most make-up setting sprays contain alcohol that can be both drying and irritating. A better alternative to lock your dewy make-up look in place is the Hydra-Essential Hydrating Multi-Protection Mist. 

Pro Tip: You can also place the highlighter on the peak of your forehead, eyelids, the tip of your nose and your cupid’s bow. 

Need more help in creating a dewy canvas? We recommend getting your beauty diagnosis for a personalised skincare routine tailored to your habits, expectations, and preferences through Clarins’ beauty prescription.