I have combination skin with an oily t-zone, so I tend to shy away from dewy makeup. Does that apply to you, too? I am always worried that the oil mixed with the makeup will make me look greasy and disgusting. However, I have come to appreciate a fresh, healthy, and even dewy complexion. I am sharing my top tips for dewy makeup for combination skin. All of these products promote skin that has a healthy glow that looks fresh, even when our oils peek through. These products will help prevent your skin from looking greasy at the end of the day. I do not go for full-on shiny makeup when I say dewy. The term that I like better is “fresh,” when your skin has a subtle glow or shine to it, where the makeup looks like skin and you appear radiant and healthy.
Dewy Makeup for Combination Skin
Primers
I am starting my recommendations on dewy makeup for combination skin with primers. The wet n wild photofocus Primer Serum is hydrating for the skin, leaving your face glowing and supple, and otherwise perfect for makeup application. It is formulated to be used with the photofocus Dewy Foundation, but you can use it with any foundation.
The elf Cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer smooths out the skin and leaves a healthy glow behind that does show through your foundation. It does nothing for pores like the original Poreless Putty Primer will.
Foundations
Second, I have three foundations, each with a different finish, but they all promote fresh skin.
- wet n wild photofocus Dewy Foundation: I consider this formula to be the perfected version of its matte sister. It has a lightweight formula that can be built from medium to nearly full coverage, but it never looks heavy, and you do not need to work in sections like you do with the matte one. The amount of dew is gentle, and will mostly go away if you powder your entire face like me. It looks beautiful on the skin, and really skin-like. By the end of the day it holds up fabulously, and it does not make me look greasy! As the dew and your natural oils come back, it makes your skin look fresh and healthy.
- Loreal Infalliable Fresh Wear Foundation: This foundation provides that fresh look that I keep mentioning. The formula is very thin, more like a tinted moisturizer, but do not be fooled. It has buildable medium to full coverage and it looks like skin. It leaves my face looking radiant and supple, and it wears well throughout the day.
- elf Cosmetics Flawless Finish Foundation: This is an OG foundation in my collection, and I have emptied several bottles over the years. It claims to have a satin finish, meaning it falls in the middle of matte and dewy, which is 100% true. It also gives a fresh face without being full out dewy shine. By the end of the day it meshes well with your natural oils, leaving you looking radiant.
Related Post: elf+ Glow Collection Review for Dewy Skin
Concealer
Third is concealer, and I am featuring the elf Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer. The formula is ultra creamy and full coverage. It dries to a satin finish, which is not matte or dewy, but essentially natural. A little bit goes a long way. I love to apply this concealer under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, on the center of my forehead, and on my chin. It is definitely long wearing, and works well with all of the foundations mentioned above.
Setting Powders
I have two setting powders to discuss. The elf Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder effectively sets makeup while leaving behind a soft-focus finish and a mild, gentle glow. It is the perfect compliment to any dewy or fresh foundation while not overdoing it. That is really the goal here- getting a dewy face without going crazy about it.
Another great option is the Physicians Formula Rose All Day Set & Glow. This is a pressed powder that also leaves behind a subtle glow while setting your makeup. It does smell like roses, and as an added bonus it includes a dewy balm that you can use as a clear highlighter over top of the powder. While mine is pink tinted in the pan, it does not discolor my face.
Setting Spray
I am keeping it simple with one setting spray recommendation. This is the elf Cosmetics Dewy Coconut Setting Mist. I do not see this spray extending the wear of my makeup, but it does nicely set everything in place with a pleasant, but not overbearing, coconut scent. If you are expecting a super shiny and dewy face with this spray, then you will be disappointed. The level of dew is incredibly light and natural, which I personally like a lot with my combination skin, making it perfect for this blog post.
Related Post: Tips for Better Looking Makeup
Full-Face Makeup Look
I am ending my dewy makeup for combination skin recommendations with a full-face look using as many products from this post as I can, plus others to round everything out. While I am mixing brands for my complexion products, for best wear I do recommend keeping the brands together. For example, wet n wild does formulate their primer to go with their foundation, as does elf. But, it all works out in the end. Here is what I am using:
- elf Luminous Putty Primer
- elf Sheer Blurring Under-eye Primer
- Milani Eyeshadow Primer in Nude
- Nyx Glitter Primer
- elf Lock On Lip Primer
- Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector
- wet n wild photofocus Dewy Foundation in Nude Ivory
- elf Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Warm
- elf Halo Glow Setting Powder in Light
- Physicians Formula Butter Glow Face Palette
- Maybelline Brow Drama Shaping Chalk in Deep Brown
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Gel in Dark Brown
- elf Dewy Coconut Setting Mist
- elf Haute Chocolate Eyes in Sugar Cookie
- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper
- Loreal Voluminous Primer
- Benefit They’re Real Mascara
- wet n wild perfectpout Gel Lip Liner in Lay Down the Mauves
- elf Srsly Satin Lipstick in Cider
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Conclusion
We have finished all of my recommendations on dewy makeup for combination skin. Having dewy skin is definitely attainable, even if you are oily, and these products should evidence that. To reiterate, the goal of this post is to not give you a shiny complexion, rather, to provide a subtle glow that makes you appear awake and hydrated. This makeup wears beautifully throughout the day, even as your oils come through, to avoid looking like a greasy salami. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Are you a fan of dewy makeup?