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How To Do a Glowy Makeup Look in 7 Easy Steps

04 May 2024

Beauty trends come and go, but one thing we’d argue will always be in style is dewy, glowy makeup. While following the right skincare routine is the key to achieving natural-looking radiance, luminous makeup can help, too. Fortunately, creating a glowy makeup look is pretty simple, so long as you have the right products at your disposal. That’s where we come in.

Here, we’ll introduce you to our favorite glowy makeup products and teach you how to use them for a radiant, sunkissed look that lasts. Plus, we’ll clue you in on some simple tips for keeping your look fresh rather than greasy. Read on for our seven-step glowy makeup tutorial and prepare to get your glow on.

Step 1: Cleanse and Moisturize

Skin prep is important for any makeup look, but especially so with glowy makeup, which is all about hydrated, healthy-looking skin. Begin your routine by washing your face to remove any dirt or excess oil. Then, apply your skincare products (like toners, serums, or essences), layering them on from thinnest to thickest. Complete your skincare routine with plenty of moisturizer to lock in hydration. Allow your moisturizer time to absorb before getting started on your makeup routine.

Step 2: Start Your Glowy Makeup Look With Makeup Primer

For a glowy makeup look that lasts, you’ll want to use a face primer—they provide grip to help your makeup stay in place. Right now, we’re loving Blurscreen SPF 30 Primer. The 3-in-1 formula blurs imperfections, helps grip makeup in place for up to 18 hours of wear, and offers SPF 30 protection against the sun’s rays (without the white cast that some sunscreens can leave behind).

Step 3: Apply Your Foundation

Using a radiant-finish foundation may seem like the best way to achieve a glowy makeup look, but we’d argue that a buildable matte-finish foundation is actually the way to go. There are a few reasons for this, but ultimately, it comes down to balance. If you’re glowy all over, you could end up looking greasy rather than radiant. By opting for a more matte foundation, you can add radiance just where you want it for a glowy, natural makeup look that isn’t overpowering.

As for which foundation to use, we’re partial to Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation. The buildable foundation helps control unwanted shine without an ashy or flaky finish, and the glycerin-infused formula feels lightweight and hydrating on the skin. You can apply it with a makeup sponge or brush, but we suggest using your fingers—it’ll result in a sheerer, more skin-like finish.

Step 4: Conceal Under-Eye Circles

Next, brighten up your under-eye area (and camouflage any lingering discolorations) by dabbing on a lightweight concealer just where it’s needed. For a natural-looking finish, we suggest reaching for Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer. The buildable concealer comes in 18 complexion shades for brightening and concealing, plus six color-correcting shades for neutralizing dark spots, redness, and other discolorations. If you need a refresher on how color correction works, check out our article The Ultimate Color Corrector Guide: How To Use Color Correction Makeup.

Step 5: Warm Up Your Skin With Blush and Bronzer

When glowy, sunkissed skin is what you’re after, blush is a can’t-miss step. Customize your ideal flush with our Wonder Stick Blush, a dual-ended cream blush stick that colors, shapes, and blends in two easy steps. You can contour with the coordinating shades for a sculpted look or simply pat the lighter shade onto the apples of your cheeks for a soft, natural-looking flush.

Pairing your blush with bronzer will add to the sunkissed effect. Try using our Buttermelt Bronzer, and apply it with the coordinating Buttermelt Brush. Simply sweep the bronzer onto the bridge of your nose, tops of your cheeks, and anywhere else the sun naturally hits for a healthy-looking bronzed glow.

Step 6: Add Highlighter For a Luminous Look

Unsurprisingly, highlighter is a must in your glowy makeup routine. Achieve a lit-from-within look with our Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Sticks. The ultra-smooth cream highlighter comes in six pearly shades that offer a buildable, luminous finish. Swipe your shade of choice onto the high points of your face (namely, your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, brow bones, and cupid’s bow), then use your fingers to blend the shimmery formula out for an instant, all-over glow.

Pro Tip: Choosing the right highlighter shade for your skin tone is key for achieving a naturally luminous look. Cool-toned shades like the silvery Vanilla Ice Cream complement fair and cool-toned complexions well, while warmer shades like Lemon Meringue are ideal for illuminating warmer or deeper skin tones.

Step 7: Add Your Finishing Touches and Set It

If you ask us, glossy lips are the perfect complement to glowy skin. Coat your lips in glossy shine and hydration with your favorite Fat Oil Lip Drip shade, or give your glowy look a little sparkle with one of the pearl-pigment infused Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss shades (we love Bring the Bling for a subtly sparkly nude lip moment). And if there’s anything else you want to add to your glowy makeup look—like eyeshadow or liner—now’s your chance.

Once you’re done, set your finished look in place with our Dewy Setting Spray, which helps makeup stay put for up to 16 hours and leaves behind a gorgeously glowy finish.

How Do You Make Glowy Makeup Last All Day?

When you spend time crafting the perfect makeup look, naturally, you want it to stay in place all day. Here are some tips for ensuring your glowy makeup stays put:

Prime your skin: Makeup primer creates a grippy base for your makeup products to hold onto, which helps ensure your products won’t slide or melt off during the day.
Set with setting spray: Setting your look with setting spray is one of the best ways to ensure you get the most wear out of your makeup. We recommend misting your setting spray on in an “X” motion to be sure you cover your entire face.
Consider using powder: If you’re prone to oiliness, consider patting a setting powder onto your T-zone with a makeup sponge before misting on your setting spray. This will help mattify overly shiny areas while allowing the rest of your look to maintain its glow.
Use blotting papers: Stash some blotting papers in your bag. You can use them to help mattify oily areas without having to reapply your makeup. Just be sure to pat (rather than rub) the blotting paper onto your skin to avoid disrupting your makeup.

Next Up: Matte vs. Dewy Makeup Finishes: What’s Better?

We’d love to see the glowy makeup looks you create with your NYX Professional Makeup products! Share a pic of your masterpiece on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.