Summer is the perfect time to embrace a glowing, fresh-faced look that highlights your natural beauty. With warm weather, sun-kissed skin, and a relaxed vibe, a dewy makeup look enhances that effortless glow we all crave during the sunnier months. Achieving a fresh and radiant appearance doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few key products and techniques can help you create a beautiful summer look that’s both youthful and natural.
In this guide, we’ll break down essential makeup tips and product recommendations for achieving a glowing, dewy summer look that will keep you looking fresh throughout the hot months.
1. Start with Hydrated Skin: The Foundation of a Dewy Look
Achieving a glowing, dewy look begins with proper skincare. If your skin is well-hydrated, your makeup will apply more smoothly and last longer, giving you that healthy glow. Here’s how to prep your skin:
1.1 Hydrate and Prime
Before applying any makeup, ensure your skin is thoroughly hydrated. Use a lightweight moisturizer that suits your skin type to create a smooth base. Look for moisturizers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or aloe vera. For an extra glow, opt for a hydrating primer that includes illuminating properties.
Recommendation: Try a luminous primer that hydrates and adds a subtle glow. Products with light-reflecting particles (like the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer) or illuminating serums can give your skin a radiant base to work with.
1.2 Apply SPF
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential for both your skin’s health and your makeup’s longevity. A broad-spectrum SPF will prevent sun damage while giving your skin a natural glow. Some sunscreens even include a dewy finish, which can further enhance your summer glow.
Recommendation: Use a lightweight SPF with a dewy finish such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 or Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 for a radiant finish.
2. Go for a Light, Radiant Foundation
For the fresh and dewy summer look, skip the heavy foundations and instead go for something lightweight that lets your natural skin texture shine through. A tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or a light-coverage foundation will help even out your complexion without feeling heavy.
2.1 Use a Glowing Foundation or Tinted Moisturizer
Choose a foundation or tinted moisturizer with a luminous finish that enhances your skin’s natural radiance. Opt for formulas with hydrating properties, so they won’t dry out your skin in the heat. Look for light-reflecting ingredients like pearl extract or illuminating pigments to give your skin a soft, dewy finish.
Recommendation: For a glowing, lightweight option, try NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer or Glossier Skin Tint. These products offer buildable coverage with a dewy finish.
2.2 Consider a Cream Foundation
Cream foundations or sticks can provide a dewy finish while feeling weightless on the skin. They’re perfect for summer, as they blend effortlessly into the skin, giving you a natural, glowy look without feeling cakey.
Recommendation: Try the RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up or the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick for a creamy, natural finish.
3. Achieve Natural-Looking Radiance with Highlighter
A key component of any dewy summer look is highlighter. Highlighters give your skin that sun-kissed glow, accentuating your cheekbones and other high points of your face. When choosing a highlighter, opt for one with a cream or liquid formula for a more natural, skin-like finish.
3.1 Choose Cream or Liquid Highlighter
Cream and liquid highlighters provide a soft, buildable glow that’s perfect for summer. They blend easily into your skin and create a radiant, dewy finish. You can apply them to the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, on your cupid’s bow, and on the inner corners of your eyes for an extra glow.
Recommendation: Glossier Haloscope, Benefit Cosmetics High Beam, or Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter are fantastic options for a glowing, natural finish.
3.2 Use an Illuminating Setting Spray
For added dewiness and glow, finish off your makeup with a hydrating, illuminating setting spray. These sprays not only lock your makeup in place but also boost your glow and give your skin a dewy finish that will last all day.
Recommendation: Try the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray or Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist to seal in your look with a refreshing glow.
4. Embrace Subtle, Fresh Eye Makeup
Summer is all about keeping things light and natural, and this extends to your eye makeup. Opt for soft, neutral tones that enhance your natural eye color and give you a fresh, bright-eyed appearance.
4.1 Go for Luminous Eyeshadow
Skip the heavy, matte eyeshadows in favor of light-reflecting, shimmery formulas. Luminous eyeshadows can be used all over the lid or as a pop of shimmer in the inner corners for a bright-eyed look. Cream or liquid eyeshadows are great for a dewy finish that stays in place throughout the day.
Recommendation: Try the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow or the Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows for a buildable, luminous finish.
4.2 Use a Lengthening Mascara
A lengthening mascara will open up your eyes and give them a natural, fluttery finish. Opt for a waterproof or water-resistant formula to ensure it holds up against the summer heat and humidity without smudging.
Recommendation: Go for a lengthening mascara like Maybelline Lash Sensational or Glossier Lash Slick for a fresh, natural look.
5. Soft Blush for a Natural Flush
For a dewy, youthful look, a soft blush is essential. Cream blushes are perfect for summer as they blend seamlessly into the skin and give a fresh, natural flush of color. A hint of peach, coral, or soft pink works beautifully for that just-sun-kissed effect.
5.1 Apply Cream Blush
Cream blushes give a dewy finish and feel lightweight on the skin, making them ideal for warmer months. They can be applied with fingers or a brush for a natural, buildable color.
Recommendation: Check out Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm, or Ilia Multi-Stick for a soft, radiant flush.
5.2 Consider a Dewy Blush Stick
A blush stick gives you more control and is great for on-the-go applications. It’s easy to apply directly to the cheeks and blend out with your fingers for a fresh, glowing finish.
Recommendation: Try the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush or the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick for a soft, dewy flush.
6. Finish with Dewy Lips
The final touch to your dewy summer look is a fresh, hydrated lip. Skip matte formulas and choose lip glosses, tinted balms, or liquid lipsticks with a glossy finish to enhance your overall glow.
6.1 Glossy Lips
Lip gloss is an essential part of a dewy makeup look, providing that added shine and hydration. Go for a clear gloss or a tinted version for a subtle pop of color.
Recommendation: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, Dior Addict Lip Maximizer, or Glossier Lip Gloss are perfect for a glossy, non-sticky finish.
6.2 Hydrating Lip Balms
For a more natural look, choose a tinted lip balm that hydrates while adding a soft flush of color to your lips. These products keep your lips smooth and moisturized while offering a subtle shine.
Recommendation: Try the Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm or NARS Afterglow Lip Balm for a hydrated, glowing finish.
7. Conclusion: The Secret to a Fresh, Dewy Summer Look
Creating a fresh, dewy look for summer is all about embracing light, luminous makeup that enhances your natural beauty. Focus on hydrated, glowing skin, lightweight foundation, soft, radiant eyes, and natural flushes of color. By choosing the right products—cream blushes, liquid highlighters, and hydrating setting sprays—you can create a makeup look that’s not only beautiful but also perfect for those warm, sunny days.
Remember to keep your routine simple, fresh, and breathable. Summer is all about looking effortlessly glowing, and with these tips and products, you can achieve the perfect dewy look that will have you radiating all season long.
