What You’ll Learn
- Always layer makeup liquids and creams before powders, liquids placed over powder can cause patchiness or lift the base.
- Primer and setting-spray choice can change wear time dramatically: Pick by how long you need your look to last.
- You can’t truly convert a matte formula into dewy, so add targeted luminizers on cheekbones and lips to inject glow while keeping matte coverage intact.
- Photo-ready trick: blot dewy areas immediately before shooting to avoid hotspot shine, and use setting spray rather than extra powder with matte looks to prevent flashback.
Head on over to TikTok, and you’ll quickly find out that some beauty gurus are dewy makeup devotees, while others rarely stray far from their matte makeup. Either finish can be stunning, which can make choosing between matte vs. dewy makeup feel like a challenge. If you’re unsure where you land on the whole dewy finish vs. matte finish debate—or even why it matters—we’re here to clear things up.
Ahead, we’ll break down the main differences between matte and dewy makeup to help you determine which is better for you. Then, we’ll share a few tips on nailing your makeup look, whether you’re after a smooth, airbrushed finish or prefer something with a little bit more glow. Find it all—plus a peek at our favorite products in both categories—below.
What Is Dewy Makeup?
The term “dewy” is typically used to describe makeup products that give the skin a dewy finish (meaning a glowy, naturally hydrated look). You’ll most often hear the word used to describe base makeup products, such as foundations, concealers, blushes, and highlighters—it’s less commonly used for eye or lip makeup products. Because hydration (or the appearance of it) is a key aspect of dewy makeup finishes, these products typically come in liquid or cream formulas, which tend to be more hydrating than powder makeup. They often contain nourishing ingredients, like glycerin, and can also be formulated with light-reflecting pigments to create a lit-from-within look.
Dewy makeup benefits
Dewy makeup enhances your complexion with a luminous, radiant glow that instantly makes skin look healthy and refreshed. Its hydrated finish helps create the appearance of plumper, smoother skin, adding a youthful vibrancy to your overall look. By reflecting light naturally, dewy makeup brings dimension and softness to the face, creating a natural-looking “lit-from-within” effect that feels effortless.
Dewy makeup considerations
While dewy makeup delivers a fresh, radiant finish, it can require a bit more upkeep throughout the day since its glowier texture tends to fade faster than longer-wear formulas. Because of its light-reflective finish, it may also highlight skin texture, like large pores or blemishes. And for those with naturally oily skin, the added shine might feel a little too luminous— a touch of powder in key areas can help keep the balance just right.
What Is Matte Makeup?
Unlike dewy makeup, which is typically used to describe base makeup, matte makeup can refer to any makeup product that lacks luminosity, including matte-finish foundations, concealers, eyeshadows, and even lipsticks. Matte face makeup tends to be a bit fuller-coverage than dewy face makeup and may come in liquid, cream, or powder form. Often, the formulas have oil-absorbing properties and a dryer texture, making them great for oily skin. Beyond controlling shine, matte face makeup can make skin appear healthy and velvety, while creating an even base for the rest of your makeup look.
Matte makeup benefits
Matte makeup offers a smooth, velvety finish that helps create an even, polished complexion. It’s especially loved for its ability to control shine and absorb excess oil, making it a great option for long days or humid conditions. The texture tends to blur the appearance of pores and imperfections, giving skin a refined, photo-ready look. Plus, matte formulas are known for their long wear, helping makeup stay in place and look fresh from morning to night.
Matte makeup considerations
Matte makeup delivers a beautifully smooth finish, but it’s best paired with well-prepped, hydrated skin to maintain its flawless look. Because of its shine-free texture, it can sometimes make dry areas or fine lines more noticeable, especially if the skin isn’t moisturized beforehand. Applying a nourishing base or a touch of luminizer underneath can help keep the finish comfortable and balanced.
Key Differences Between Matte and Dewy Makeup
Dewy makeup is luminous and radiant, while matte finish makeup tends to be smooth, velvety, and free of shine. But that’s not the only way these types of makeup differ.
Finish
Dewy finish makeup typically gives the skin a healthy, hydrated appearance, and may have a bit of shine. Matte makeup, on the other hand, lacks shine. It’s usually designed to help make the skin look more uniform and can help minimize an oily appearance. With that being said, anyone can use either type of formula—it all comes down to a proper skincare routine and great makeup prep.
Coverage
Dewy makeup is often lighter and sheerer than matte makeup, which typically offers a more full-coverage finish. However, dewy products can usually be built up for more intense color payoff without a heavy feel.
Formula
Matte makeup can come in a range of formats, from lightweight liquids to creams, gels, and powders. Dewy makeup, by contrast, is almost always liquid or cream in texture.
Effect
Using dewy makeup can help give the skin a more luminous, glowy finish, while matte makeup is ideal for fighting shine and creating more glam looks. You can also combine finishes—for instance, pair a dewy foundation with a matte bronzer—to create a balanced, skin-like finish.
How To Choose a Makeup Finish
If you’re torn between dewy vs. matte makeup and need help deciding which is right for you, consider your skin type, the occasion, and your desired look.
Skin type
If you have oily skin, matte makeup can help create balance by minimizing excess shine, especially in oily areas like the chin, forehead, and cheeks. Those with dry or mature skin, meanwhile, can benefit from dewy makeup, as it helps make the skin look more glowy, plump, and hydrated.
Occasion
You can wear dewy or matte makeup anytime—it all comes down to your mood and the look you want to achieve. Dewy finishes are perfect for laid-back daytime moments, giving skin a fresh, radiant glow that feels effortless and natural. Matte makeup, on the other hand, shines in situations where long-lasting wear is key, like events or busy days when you want your look to stay put. Both have their place in a well-rounded routine, so you can switch it up to suit the occasion.
Desired look
Some types of makeup work better for certain looks than others. We love using dewy products for beachy, no-makeup makeup, and matte makeup for long-lasting glam looks.
How To Achieve a Matte Makeup Finish
If you decide that matte makeup is more your speed, keep reading. Below, we’ll show you how to create a matte makeup look that lasts.
Step 1: Apply a mattifying primer
Start by applying a mattifying makeup primer to create a smooth, even base for your makeup and fight shine. We love The Marshmellow Smoothing Primer for this: It helps blur the skin and provides a soft-focus finish while extending makeup wear for up to 16 hours. Apply it to clean, dry skin with your fingers, and wait a few minutes before proceeding to step two.
Step 2: Smooth on foundation
Next, apply your foundation. For a more natural finish, we recommend looking for a matte foundation with buildable coverage, such as Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation. It offers up to 16 hours of wear and helps control shine without looking ashy or cakey. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way: We suggest starting with a pea-sized amount and building up your coverage as needed.
Step 3: Opt for a matte blush and bronzer
Next, sweep on blush and bronzer to add color and definition to your face. For a cohesive look, we recommend choosing products with a matte finish, like the Buttermelt Blush and Buttermelt Bronzer. The former comes in 12 smooth, velvety shades (including several with shimmer if you’d like a little luminosity), while the latter comes in 10 hues to complement a range of skin tones. Plus, both are infused with mango, shea, and almond butter for a smooth, buttery feel.
Step 4: Complete your look
Complete your look by applying eyeshadow, eyeliner, or lipstick as desired. For an all-over matte look, try swapping out your usual lipstick for a matte formula, like the Smushy Matte Lip Balm. The weightless formula is infused with sugar ceramides and mochi rice powder to lock in moisture, and it comes in 12 flattering, soft matte shades (including one untinted option). Wear it alone or swipe it on over the Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain for a defined lip look.
Step 5: Mist with setting spray
Once you’re satisfied with your makeup, don’t forget to set it in place. You can fight unwanted shine and extend your makeup wear for up to 16 hours with the matte Marshmellow Setting Spray. If you’re headed out for a long day, stash some blotting sheets in your bag, too—they’re super helpful for tamping down on unwanted shine while you’re on the go.
How To Achieve a Dewy Makeup Finish
When you’re doing dewy makeup, you want to keep things feeling light and fresh. Learn how and discover our favorite products for the job below.
Step 1: Apply a hydrating primer
The key to dewy makeup: hydrated, healthy-looking skin. Start your routine with a lightweight makeup primer, like The Face Glue Gripping Primer. The breathable formula helps grip makeup in place for up to 24 hours without a sticky or tacky feel. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, making it the ideal first step in any makeup routine.
Step 2: Apply a lightweight skin tint
Dewy skin pairs beautifully with natural makeup looks. When opting for a dewy look, we like to forgo the foundation and instead apply a sheer skin tint, like the Buttermelt Glaze Soft Glow Skin Tint SPF 30. This skincare-makeup hybrid boasts a glowy (not greasy) finish and helps shield the skin from damaging UV rays that can lead to sunburns and skin damage. To apply it, shake the bottle well, then dispense a generous amount of product onto your fingertips and blend it onto your face. Go in with more product anywhere you’d like additional coverage for a fresh, natural-looking glow.
Step 3: Add color with a dewy blush
Dewy skin pairs perfectly with pink, flushed cheeks—the just-pinched look ties fresh-faced makeup together beautifully. To get a natural-looking, dewy flush, dot the Fat Cheeks Juicy Liquid Blush onto your cheeks, then blend out the pigment with your fingers or a damp makeup sponge. This easy-to-apply blush comes in eight juicy, fruit-inspired shades that provide 24 hours of hydration and 12 hours of vibrant wear. If you need help choosing a shade, check out our article How To Choose a Blush Color For Your Skin Tone.
Step 4: Swipe a lip gloss
Next, swipe on a tinted lip gloss or oil for a hint of color and shine that ties your whole look together. If you need a recommendation, we love the Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain—it applies like a gloss and gradually fades over time to a soft, natural-looking lip stain. If you’d prefer something that stays glossy, the Fat Oil Lip Drip is an excellent pick (plus, it leaves your lips feeling hydrated for up to 12 hours, thanks to its lush, squalane-infused formula).
Step 5: Set your look
Last but not least, lock it all in with setting spray. For a radiant finish that lasts, we recommend using The Face Glue Setting Spray, which helps lock in your look for up to 24 hours without any sticky or tacky residue.
Can You Wear Matte and Dewy Makeup Together?
You can absolutely mix matte and dewy makeup—and doing so often creates a beautifully balanced, natural-looking finish. The key is to pay attention to the types of products you’re combining, since different textures layer differently on the skin. Always start with liquids and creams before applying powders, as adding liquid formulas over powder can cause patchiness, uneven blending, or even lift the base underneath.
An easy way to mix finishes is to pair a matte foundation with a dewy blush and lip gloss for a fresh, beachy look. If you’re a dewy skin devotee, try pairing a luminous base with a soft matte lip for an effortlessly glam look.
Next: Liquid, Cream, or Powder Blush: Which Should You Choose?.
Whether you wear it dewy or matte, we’d love to see what looks you create with our makeup. Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil scented with Suga Baddie
Lip Lingerie Lip Liner Stain
Ballpoint felt tip lip liner for precise, no-bleed nude perfection in twelve shades
SMUSHY MATTE LIP BALM
A soft-matte buildable lip color infused with mochi rice powder and sugar ceramides in 12 shades.
THE FACE GLUE GRIPPING PRIMER
Up to 24h hydrating and gripping makeup prepping glue
Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain
Lip gloss + long-lasting lip stain in 20 shades.
Fat Cheeks Juicy Liquid Blush
Get juicy, hydrated cheeks with a 24H hydrating liquid blush for a healthy, dewy glow.
BUTTERMELT GLAZE SOFT GLOW SKIN TINT SPF 30
A skin tint with a soft glow glazed finish in ten flexible shades
THE FACE GLUE SETTING SPRAY
Up to 24h makeup lock and shield, waterproof setting spray
MARSHMELLOW SETTING SPRAY
Marshmellow matte setting spray that lasts up to 16 hours makeup wear
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Buttermelt Bronzer
High pigment, true-to-skin buttery powder bronzer. Fade & transfer resistant with up to 12HR wear.
Buttermelt Blush
High pigment buttery soft powder blush. Fade & transfer resistant with up to 12HR wear.
Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation
Blurring tint foundation in 24 medium coverage, matte shades
