Welcome, makeup lovers of all ages! As the summer heat intensifies, we all want to achieve that coveted dewy, fresh-faced look. Whether you’re a seasoned makeup pro or just starting to experiment with different techniques, this blog is for you. I am passionate about sharing my tried and tested methods for creating a flawless, dewy summer makeup look right in the comfort of your own home. So grab your brushes and let’s dive into these techniques that are perfect for every generation.
Section 1: Techniques by Generation
Gen Z
- Skin Prep: Begin with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt and impurities, then apply a lightweight moisturizer. This step is essential as it hydrates your skin, making it smooth and ready for makeup.
- Products: Choose lightweight foundations or tinted moisturizers. These options provide a sheer coverage that feels airy on the skin, perfect for hot summer days when you want to keep your look fresh and light.
- Glossy Finish: To achieve that dewy glow, use highlighters or glow mists. Apply them on the high points of your face—like your cheekbones, nose, and brow bones. This technique gives your skin a radiant and youthful appearance.
- Tools: Use makeup sponges or brushes for application. A damp sponge is particularly effective as it helps to blend products seamlessly, reducing the appearance of streaks and ensuring an even finish.
Millennials
- Foundations: Look for BB creams or sheer foundations that allow your natural skin to shine through. These products provide light coverage while offering hydration, making them ideal for a fresh, everyday look.
- Layering: Start with a hydrating primer to prep your skin. After that, layer on cream blush and highlighter. This layering technique enhances your features and creates a beautiful, glowing effect without looking cakey.
- Setting: Finish your look with a dewy setting spray. This helps to lock in moisture and keep your makeup intact throughout the day, ensuring you maintain that fresh, radiant appearance even in the summer heat.
Gen X
- Hydration: For this generation, hydration is key. Use a hydrating primer that not only preps your skin but also adds moisture. This is especially important to avoid dryness and ensure that your makeup applies smoothly.
- Product Choice: Select foundations that are specifically formulated for mature skin. These foundations should provide good coverage while also being hydrating, helping to improve the overall look of your skin.
- Cream Products: Cream blush and highlighter are great options for achieving a natural look. They blend easily and can add warmth and a soft glow, which is more flattering for mature skin compared to powders.
Baby Boomers
- Creamy Textures: Focus on creamy foundations and blushes, which glide on smoothly and are easy to work with. Cream products can help give a youthful, radiant finish that looks natural and fresh.
- Moisture: Prioritize moisturizing products that help keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. This is important for maintaining elasticity and achieving a soft, healthy glow.
- Subtle Highlights: When applying highlighter, use a light hand to accentuate your features without overwhelming your look. Focus on areas like the tops of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose to create a gentle, luminous effect.
Section 2: Essential Products for a Dewy Finish
Recommended Foundations
- Tinted Moisturizers: Lightweight and hydrating, tinted moisturizers are perfect for a natural, dewy look. They provide light coverage while keeping your skin moisturized.
- Example: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
- BB Creams: These offer a bit more coverage than tinted moisturizers and often include SPF for sun protection. They are ideal for everyday wear.
- Example: Garnier SkinActive BB Cream
- Sheer Liquid Foundations: Look for foundations that are specifically labeled as “luminous” or “radiant.” They provide a light, buildable coverage that gives a fresh finish.
- Example: L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup
Highlighters
- Liquid Highlighters: These blend easily into the skin and can be mixed with foundation or applied on top for an extra glow.
- Example: Benefit Cosmetics High Beam
- Cream Highlighters: Cream formulas offer a natural, dewy finish and are easy to apply with fingers or a sponge.
- Example: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
- Stick Highlighters: Convenient for on-the-go application, stick highlighters can be applied directly to the skin and blended out easily.
- Example: Maybelline Master Strobing Stick
Setting Sprays
- Hydrating Setting Sprays: These sprays not only set your makeup but also provide extra hydration, helping to maintain a dewy look throughout the day.
- Example: MAC Prep + Prime Fix+
- Dewy Finish Sprays: Specifically designed to give your makeup a radiant finish, these sprays add an extra layer of glow.
- Example: Urban Decay All Nighter Ultra Glow Setting Spray
Benefits of Using Multi-Purpose Products
- Convenience: Multi-purpose products save time and reduce the number of items you need in your makeup bag. For example, a tinted moisturizer that includes SPF and hydration is perfect for busy mornings.
- Cost-Effective: Investing in products that serve multiple functions can save you money in the long run. Instead of buying separate items for hydration, coverage, and sun protection, a good BB cream or tinted moisturizer can do it all.
- Simplified Application: Using fewer products can lead to a quicker and easier makeup routine. Multi-use products often blend well and create a more cohesive look.
- Natural Finish: Many multi-purpose products are designed to be lightweight and easy to blend, helping to achieve a more natural, dewy appearance.
Section 3: Step-by-Step Application Techniques
Skin Prep Routine for Each Generation
- Gen Z
- Cleanse: Start with a gentle foaming or gel cleanser to remove excess oil and impurities.
- Moisturize: Apply a lightweight, water-based moisturizer for hydration without heaviness.
- SPF: Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV damage, essential for youthful skin.
- Millennials
- Cleanse: Use a mild cleanser that suits your skin type to clear away makeup and dirt.
- Hydrate: Incorporate a hydrating serum or gel moisturizer for an extra moisture boost.
- Primer: Apply a smoothing primer to create an even base and help makeup last longer.
- Gen X
- Cleanse: Choose a nourishing cream or oil cleanser that hydrates while removing makeup.
- Moisturize: Use a richer moisturizer to combat dryness and improve skin texture.
- Hydrating Primer: Apply a hydrating primer that provides a smooth canvas and enhances glow.
- Baby Boomers
- Cleanse: Choose for a gentle, creamy cleanser to hydrate while cleansing without stripping moisture.
- Hydrate: Use a hydrating serum followed by a rich moisturizer to maintain skin elasticity.
- Smoothing Primer: Apply a smoothing primer that helps fill in fine lines and creates a soft surface for makeup.
Application Tips for Achieving a Flawless Dewy Look
- Foundation Application:
- Use a damp makeup sponge or brush for application. This technique helps achieve a light, even layer and a dewy finish.
- Start from the center of your face and blend outward for a natural look.
- Blush and Highlighter:
- Choose cream or liquid blush for a soft, blended look. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples.
- For highlighter, use a liquid or cream formula. Apply it to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose. Blend well for a natural glow.
- Setting Spray:
- Finish your makeup with a hydrating setting spray. Hold it about six inches away from your face and spray in an “X” or “T” motion to cover all areas.
- This helps lock in moisture and adds an extra layer of dewiness.
- Touch-Up:
- Keep a mini glow mist or hydrating spray in your bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day. A light mist can refresh your look and maintain that radiant finish.
- Final Check:
- Before heading out, check your makeup in natural light. This ensures everything is blended well and looks fresh.