How to Make Matte Foundation Dewy *Without Buying a Whole New Base*

We all want the dewy look, but not all of us have the proper products for dewy skin at our disposal 24/7. That $60 radiant skin tint everyone swears by? Not in your drawer. But you know what is? Your trusty matte foundation.

Matte foundations are great for long wear and high coverage. But they can also be too drying, especially in winter or on dry skin, too flat, far from that fresh skin-like finish, and too obvious and makeup-y!

So matte foundation and glow don’t exactly go hand in hand. But don’t toss it into the bin just yet. Whether you want to fake a summer glow in February or tone down the powdery finish of your matte base, I’ve got you!

Below are different ways to make your matte foundation look dewy and radiant. These aren’t ranked, so you can mix, match, or layer depending on what you’ve got and what you want.

How to Make Matte Foundation Dewy

1. Mix It with a Face Oil

This is the best and easiest way to make your matte foundation dewy. And it’s Wayne Goss-approved! Face oils naturally add slip and glow. When you mix a few drops into your foundation, it thins the formula slightly, makes the foundation blend easily, and gives you a fresh, radiant finish instead of a flat, matte one. This trick is especially helpful in winter or if you have dry or dehydrated skin, since matte foundations can cling to dry patches or feel too tight.

How To:

• Pump out a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand.
• Add 1-2 drops of face oil.
• Mix the two using your fingers or a small brush until you get an even consistency.
• Apply the foundation as usual.

Heads Up

Not all face oils will work well together with a foundation. Heavy oils like coconut or castor oil might break down your foundation. They can mess with foundation formulas and may even cause breakouts.

Try

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a formula I can swear by for this method. It’s not as heavy as traditional face oils but just emollient enough to turn your matte foundation into a dewy, illuminating one. Or you can try Nuxe Face oil like the one above, which is a multi-use formula that goes onto hair and body too!

2. Add Liquid Illuminator to the Mix

Another no-brainer way to make a matte foundation dewy is by mixing it with a liquid illuminator, also known as glow drops or liquid highlighter. This method is customizable, so you can amp up the glow as much as you like or keep it subtle.

How To:

• Start with a tiny amount because some illuminators are deceptively rich and can look too glowy.
• Mix a drop of your favorite liquid illuminator/highlighter with your foundation.
• Blend them on the back of your hand or a mixing palette until you get a nice consistency.
• Apply using a damp sponge for the most natural finish.

Heads Up

Avoid thick-textured illuminators, as they’re difficult to mix with the foundation. Also, avoid chunky glitter. We want sheen, not sparkle. If you have wrinkles, large pores, or texture irregularities, be very selective about how shimmery the illuminator is, as shimmer can draw attention to those.

Try

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion is a budget-friendly, in-between product that will work for most skin types and textures. It’s not thick like a cream, but light enough to mix with a foundation.

3. Layer with a Dewy Primer

If you’re not into mixing stuff, start your base with a dewy, illuminating primer. It adds subtle radiance, helps your foundation apply smoothly, and works well for combination skin that doesn’t want too much oil. You can get an amazing glowy look with a matte foundation when you use an illuminating primer underneath.

How To:

• Apply a generous layer of dewy primer after you’ve done your skincare.
• Let it sit for a minute.
• Follow with your matte foundation.

Heads Up

If you’re using a full-coverage matte foundation, it’s not always easy to turn it into a visibly dewy one with just a primer. So, consider sandwiching it between glow-boosting products. For example, start with a brightening serum, and then apply an illuminating moisturizer, and then a dewy primer before moving on to the foundation. This works especially well if your only option is a stubborn full-coverage foundation.

Try

For this method, I can say that Nars Radiance Primer is one of the best illuminating primers I have ever used. The shimmer is so consistent that it doesn’t look streaky on the skin. If you prefer a simpler formula and don’t care for the priming aspect that much, the CC Water Gel will work just as well.

4. Finish with a Dewy Setting Spray

A dewy setting spray is a quick, customizable, and commitment-free way to melt your matte base into the skin and add life back into your makeup. The good thing about dewy setting sprays is that you have full control over the final look. You can either create an overall dewy base makeup by spraying it all over or just apply it on strategic areas.

How To:

• Finish your makeup as usual.
• Shake your mist well.
• Spritz from a distance and let it dry naturally.
• Alternatively, spray a dewy mist on a damp sponge and press it into the skin for precise application, such as on the high points of the cheeks.

Heads Up

Don’t try to go dewier by piling on more spray. It can mess up your makeup and separate the foundation.

Try

If you’re on the lookout for a glow-boosting mist, Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Mist is a dewy skin staple. You can even use it on your bare skin to bring some healthy glow to your complexion.

5. Mix In Liquid Bronzer

This is something I’ve recently discovered when I was trying to make my foundation shade darker. Liquid bronzer isn’t just for bronzing or contouring. It can also make a matte foundation look dewy and fresh. This is for those looking for a more natural-looking finish, especially in summer when ‘dewy’ can look ‘oily’. This adds warmth and a subtle glow, especially when your base looks flat and pale, and you want to skip powder bronzer later.

How To:

• Mix a small amount or a few drops of your liquid bronzer with your foundation.
• Blend the two on the back of your hand until the shade looks even and consistent.
• Apply it as usual.

Heads Up

Liquid bronzers can take a minute to show their real pigment. What you see on the back of your hand might turn out to be a bit darker after you’ve applied it on the skin. Remember to use a small amount!

Try

Clinique Sun-Kissed Face Gelee Complexion Multitasker is the absolute do-it-all when it comes to warming up the skin, darkening your foundation shade, and making it dewier. Use a pea-sized amount to mix with your foundation.

If All Else Fails…

If you’re not able to work with any of the methods I’ve mentioned, there are still some small tweaks to consider that don’t involve buying anything.

• If you’re too annoyed by your matte foundation, consider spot-concealing. Don’t apply it all over, just apply it on the center of the face in a thin layer.
• Try applying your foundation with a damp beauty sponge because it sheers out your matte base and adds bounce.
• Powders, combined with a matte base, can look too flat. Turn that into a dewy base by using a cream blush/bronzer or highlighter, just anything that distracts from the matte foundation.
• Double down on your skincare. Layer a hydrating toner, follow with an exfoliating one, and layer a radiant-finish, makeup-friendly serum on top before moving on to foundation.

So these are the best ways to make your matte foundation dewy. You don’t need to buy a new foundation just to look like you just stepped out of a spa. With a little mixing, layering, and a well-aimed mist, you can make even the most matte formula look radiant and dewy. But if this all sounds too much of a hassle, or you’re just not into DIY, take a look at our round-up of the best dewy foundations that get the job done straight from the bottle.

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