5 Foundation Hacks For Dewy, Glowing Skin

Glowy, dewy skin is our number one goal ATM, and with the right makeup, it’s easier to achieve than you may think. It all begins with flawless foundation application, which means using the right tools and using the right products to get your glow on. These five foundation hacks will deliver a major glow up every single time…

1. Prep Your Skin

Ask any makeup artist and they’ll tell you that a glowing complexion starts with skincare. While cleansing, toning, and moisturizing are all key, exfoliation is the holy grail as it helps nix dead and dry skin cells to smooth skin texture and brighten the skin while keeping pores clear of debris so that over time the pores appear ‘tighter.’ Celeb MUA Jasen Kaplan confirms, “I always exfoliate the skin well before doing makeup, to make sure it lasts.”

Our go-to pre-makeup exfoliator is the WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39, which combines the power of papaya and pineapple enzymes and cellulose to gently buff away dead skin, leaving your skin with a radiant glow. Plus, the formula is gentle enough for daily use, making it the perfect pre-makeup skincare ritual.

2. DIY Your Own Dewy Foundation

If your current foundation doesn’t deliver that dewy glow you’re looking for, add a drop of a hydrating skincare formula. The extra surge of moisture will give a dewy finish while also keeping your skin hydrated. Or, for a more luminous, healthy skin-finish, mix your foundation with one to two drops of a facial oil and apply with your fingers, finishing with a damp makeup sponge. We’ve been combining our Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation, $42, with the WISHFUL Get Even Rose Oil, $63, and it leaves our skin looking hella-radiant – perfect for zoom calls!

Top tip: Alexx Mayo, Lizzo’s go-to makeup artist, is as obsessed with face oil as we are! He told us, “For an extra glow, I use a face oil on the high planes of the face for a finishing touch.”

3. Add a Highlighter

If the idea of diluting the coverage of your foundation or adding unnecessary moisture sounds like a recipe for disaster, this hack is here to save the day. Instead of mixing a skincare formula into your foundation, mix two drops of a liquid highlighter with your foundation and apply it to the skin with your fingers or a damp beauty blender. It’ll instantly give your skin a luminous finish, without looking greasy. The L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops, $19, are ideal for this hack as the formula blends seamlessly and has a stunning luminous finish.

Top tip: To lock in the look, use a glow-getting setting spray like Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Setting + Refresh Spray, $36, which sets makeup in place for 12 hours while providing a glassy glow. To refresh throughout the day, we also love our Huda Beauty Glow Coco Hydrating Mist, $21, which adds a luminous finish to any formula.

4. Apply Foundation to Damp Skin

According to celebrity makeup artist Sir John, to achieve a radiant complexion, you need to apply foundation to freshly moisturized skin that’s still damp with hydration. Beyoncé’s glam guru says it’s his secret for making foundation look like a second skin as it helps with the blending process and ensures the foundation doesn’t ‘sit on top of the skin.’ Sir John swears by the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care Moisturizer, $18. We tried the hack with our WISHFUL Honey Balm Jelly Moisturizer, $43, and our foundation looked flawless thanks to the pore-blurring, glow-boosting ingredients.

5. Always Use A Damp Beauty Blender

Whether you prefer full or light coverage, a damp beauty blender is integral for an airbrushed finish. For a fresh, dewy skin finish, just soak your sponge in water and squeeze out any excess, then lightly squeeze in a towel. For full coverage, apply your foundation first with a brush or your fingers and then finish by lightly bouncing the damp blender across your skin. For lighter coverage, use your damp sponge to apply, blend and blur your foundation.

Tip: If you have freckles on your nose and cheeks, you can bounce a clean part of your makeup sponge over the tops of your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose, which will pick up excess product and allow your freckles to peek through.

For more glow-getting recommendations, check out these ten skincare products for glowy AF skin.