Dewy Vs Matte Makeup Finish: Which Works The Best?

If you're new to makeup and still figuring out the viral makeup trends, then one of the most confusing decisions you'll face is choosing the right makeup finish. Most of us follow trends blindly or viral beauty products we see online only to end up with a face that looks too oily or too dry. The main reason why this happens is we overlook one crucial factor, which is their skin type.

Your makeup's final finish can impact how your skin is going to look and how well your makeup performs. If you have a dry skin, makeup with a hydrated finish will look the best, but this is not the same for oily skin. That's why understanding your skin's needs before selecting a makeup finish is important. 

The most popular makeup finishes which are trending today are dewy and matte. In this blog, we will understand what "dewy" and "matte" actually mean. Which products are best to achieve these looks and last but not least, which finish deserves a place in your beauty routine? 

What Is a Dewy Makeup Finish?

The term "dewy" refers to naturally hydrated, radiant-looking skin. With a dewy makeup finish, the goal is to create the appearance of healthy, hydrated skin that naturally reflects light. This makeup style has become increasingly popular because of the Korean glass skin makeup look and more of a "clean girl" makeup trend.

A hydrated skin look is the key focus for a dewy makeup finish. The dewy makeup products are usually lightweight and are used to create base and less used in eye or lip makeup. If you have dry or combination skin or you don't like wearing much makeup, then this makeup look will enhance your dry and dehydrated skin. 

Key Characteristics of Dewy Makeup

• Radiant and glowing complexion
• Hydrated, healthy-looking skin
• Natural and youthful appearance
• Fresh and effortless makeup look

How to Achieve a Dewy Makeup Look with Few Products

When creating a dewy makeup look, use products with lightweight formulas, and proper skincare is important to build the hydration from the start and luminosity from the base.

1. Start with Hydrated Skin

Hydration is the foundation of any dewy look. Clean your face properly and apply a nourishing moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides to plump and prep the skin.

2. Use a Hydrating Primer

An illuminating primer is perfect to create a radiant base and to improve makeup longevity. It also adds an instant glow before foundation application.

3. Choose a Dewy Foundation

A dewy makeup finish is achieved by using a lightweight foundation like skin tints, BB creams, or serum foundations that provides a radiant or natural finish rather than a matte effect.

4. A Cream Blusher & Highlighter

The best part about cream formulas is that they stay for long hours in heat and humidity, so you don't have to worry about reapplying or regular touch-ups. A cream blusher and highlighter will blend easily into the skin and give out a natural glow to the face. 

5. Use Minimal Powder

While setting the makeup, too much loose powder can reduce the glow you're trying to achieve with a dewy makeup look. Set only areas like the T-zone, under the eyes, or the forehead to control the oil and shine. 

6. Finish with a Dewy Setting Spray

A dewy makeup look can be completed with very few products, and a hydrating setting spray helps lock in all makeup while enhancing radiance. It melts products together and gives the skin a healthy, refreshed finish.

These are the best Dewy Makeup Products from Colors Queen

• Illuminating primer
• Red Cushion Foundation
• Conceal & Reveal Liquid Concealer
• Cream blush
• Strobe Cream
• Hydrating setting spray

What is a Matte Makeup Finish?

A matte makeup finish refers to a smooth, shine-free appearance to create a polished complexion with little to no visible luminosity. The focus in the matte makeup finish is to create an even-looking base for a more refined and polished makeup look, which is perfect for weddings, events, occasions, or professional shoots. 

Matte makeup products are widely available under the term "matte" like matte foundations, matte blush, or matte lipsticks, all designed to deliver a finish that minimizes shine and creates a more perfected makeup look. Matte makeup products provide more coverage and control oil than dewy makeup products, which is the biggest reason why matte makeup is used in many beauty routines for its long-lasting nature. 

Key Characteristics of a Matte Makeup

• Absorb excess oil and controls shine
• Creates a smooth, shine-free complexion
• Minimizes the appearance of pores and uneven texture
• Excellent longevity and wear time
• Provides a polished, professional-looking finish.
• Works well in warm and humid conditions.

How to Achieve a Matte Makeup Look

A matte finish and matte makeup products are used to control shine and maintain a polished, shine-free complexion all day. 

1. Prep Skin Properly

Skincare is an important step even if you have an oily skin. Use a gentle cleanser and an oil-free moisturizer for hydrated skin.

2. Use a Mattifying Primer

A mattifying primer helps minimize the appearance of open pores and fine lines and also controls the production of excess oil that can ruin your makeup.

3. Choose a Matte Foundation

Matte foundations such as Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation are perfect for days when full-face makeup is required. They offer buildable coverage, so you can plan your coverage as per your makeup style. 

4. Set with Powder

A loose powder is important to set your makeup in between layers. This helps keep the foundation in place and face free from oil. Do not put excess powder all over the place, keep your focus on the T-zone, chin and forehead. Keep it on for a few minutes and brush off the excess. 

5. Opt for Powder Products

Powder formulas are the best for oily skin. Use pressed-powder blushes, bronzers and highlighters to enhance the matte effect and for a smooth finish.

6. Use a Long-Lasting Setting Spray

This is a step that you should never miss at the end of your makeup. Use Gold Glow Oil-Free Makeup Fixing Spray which is made to make your makeup stay on for long and also controls shine throughout the day. 

Best Matte Makeup Products from Colors Queen

• Grip Primer
• Ultra Definition Liquid Foundation
• HD Liquid Concealer
• Highlighting Complexion Loose Powder 
• Sweet Cheek Matte Blush
• Long-wear setting spray

Dewy Finish Vs. Matte Finish: Key Differences

 

Which Makeup Finish is Best for You?

There is no team matte or team dewy here for this question. The right choice of makeup finish depends on your skin type, makeup preferences and the overall look you want to create based on your style and mood. 

If your skin is most of the time dry, dull or dehydrated, a dewy makeup finish can help bring back a healthy, radiant skin look. On the other hand, if you have oily or acne-prone skin or your vibe of the day is a more polished, shine-free complexion, a matte finish may be a better fit.

And yes, you don't have to stick to just one makeup finish. Many makeup artists combine both techniques to create a balanced complexion. For example, you can use matte products for your T-zone, cheeks or forehead where you are more prone to get oil. By following this approach, you can naturally keep your makeup staying for longer hours and still look the best throughout the day. 

FAQs

Q.1 How to make each finish last in Indian weather?

Ans. The best way to make your makeup finish last long in Indian weather is to use loose powder to set in between layers and a makeup fixing spray at the end of your makeup to lock everything in place. 

Q.2 Which finish is better for Indian skin in summer?

Ans. There is no one right answer to this, makeup finish depends on your skin type and the type of makeup you are comfortable in. A dewy makeup finish looks best on normal, dry and combination skin type and Matte makeup finish looks best on oily and combination skin types. 

Q.3 Can oily Indian skin wear dewy makeup?

Ans. Yes, people with oily skin can wear dewy makeup. The only technique is to use right makeup setting by balancing more oily areas with powder or setting spray to control the production of oil. 

Q.4 Is dewy or matte better for older skin?

Ans. For older or mature skin, a dewy finish is always preferred over a matte finish, as dewy adds a radiant, hydrated glow to the skin, while matte enhances the fine lines and makeup appears to look flat. 

Q.5 Does dewy skin make you look younger?

Ans. Yes, dewy makeup finish adds a radiant, youthful, plump glow to your face, which makes you look a little younger. 

Q.6 What are some dewy skin mistakes?

Ans. Here are some dewy makeup mistakes:

• Not doing proper skincare before makeup 
• Not using a primer 
• Layering too many heavy formulas 
• Over powdering or over setting your makeup 
• Using powdered products 
• Using a matte setting spray