Even the most luxe foundation formulas can flake, cake or blotch if the consistency isn’t suited to your skin. So before we share with you our edit of the best dewy foundations, ask yourself: is hydration and radiance what my skin needs?
For those with dry and dull skin, the answer will probably be a resounding yes. However, those with oily skin may want to reconsider and go for a matte-finish foundation instead. Likewise, those with acne-prone skin might prioritise a serum foundation hybrid to ensure their skin is cared for while covered.
We’re not trying to steer you away from dewy foundations, of course, it’s just that these ones pack a lot of juice. Enriched with pearlescent pigments and nourishing oils, they’re bound to make dull and thirsty skin glow.
So if that’s what you’re after, here are six carefully-selected dewy foundations for a natural, luminous finish…
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25
Unlike ordinary foundations, the Estee Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup SPF 25 doubles as a restorative and radiance-inducing serum. It’s formulated with perfecting priming beads to reduce visible imperfections, while filling in fine lines.
“Love the look this moisture binding foundation fluid provides. Glides over skin effortlessly and it seems to sort of adapt to your skin tone without masking it. Just looks like skin” – Gemini Jen
$72 at David Jones
Maybelline New York FIT me! Liquid Foundation
This drugstore foundation deserves a spot on every ‘best of’ list. Maybelline New York’s Fit me! Liquid Foundation provides a natural, breathable finish and comfortable wear, leaving even the driest of skin dewy and luminous.
“As a dry skin gal, I’ve been through numerous ‘dewy’ foundations before I gave up and went to a BB cream. Then Fit Me came into my life and I haven’t looked back!” – Hoots
$21.95, currently $10.97 at Chemist Warehouse
M.A.C Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
The Waterweight Foundation SPF 30 by M.A.C delivers sheer to medium coverage in a fluid, elastic gel serum. The innovative formula offers immediate and long-lasting hydration, leaving the skin soft, supple, and silky to the touch.
“Best I’ve ever worn. Even the MAC MUA who recently did an express eye makeup on me recently said it applied on me ‘like butter’. I don’t wear it every day but a bottle lasted me 10 months so it’s worth every cent.” – Research_is_half_the_fun
$58 at Myer
Lancôme Teint Miracle
Lancôme’s Teint Miracle is a lightweight fluid foundation that promises full coverage. The inclusion of pearlescent pigments reflect light, creating the appearance of luminous, dewy skin.
“It feels very light and watery yet the coverage is good. The great thing is it doesn’t feel thick or oily on the skin. It gave a more natural look too.” – Mara550
$65 at Myer
Bobbi Brown Skin Nourishing Glow Foundation
Even during harsh environmental conditions, the Bobbi Brown Skin Nourishing Glow Foundation cream formulation produces moisturised, radiant skin. Upon application, dry skin will appear hydrated and plump, while lines and wrinkles will be visibly reduced.
$105 at Bobbi Brown
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Le Teint
If you’re a longtime fan of the under eye illuminator, Touche Éclat, you can now extend that brightening formula across your entire face. The Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Le Teint delivers weightless coverage to visibly awaken and energise dull skin.
“This is a really beautiful dewy and light foundation with good coverage. It suits my dry skin with psoriasis really well and doesn’t cling to my dry patches” – Stephv351
$90 at Sephora
Clinique Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup
Clinique’s Even Better Glow Light Reflecting Makeup is a dermatologist-developed foundation that diffuses light to soften imperfections and impart a dewy, radiant finish.
“This is an easy, no brainer foundation I can wear everyday. It gives a solid medium coverage when applied with fingers which is great for the morning rush.” – Tea91
$56 at Clinique
Main image credit: @sarasampaio
Do you have a favourite dewy foundation? If so, which one?
I don’t use foundation but if I wanted to buy some I would probably check out the Clinique
I use just a touch and sheer it out to get effect my skin but enhanced. ATM Guerlain L’essentiel. Fave.
The only one of these that I’ve tried is Bobbi Brown. Quite good coverage but I would need to use some sort of setting spray to keep it from coming off easily.
I’ve never used a setting spray!
I don’t wear foundation as much as I used to, for everyday wear I usually wear a tinted moisturiser but if going out for dinner or to a event then I’ll wear a foundation. I noticed this year there were foundations with serums which really intrigued me I wouldn’t mind trying one of those next.
I wear IZ tinted moisturiser- it’s amazing!
Foundation for me is such a challenge. I do not know why but I never seem to find,or be given, the correct one for my skin tone and colour. I’m forever hunting.
Maybe try Fenty?
I would love to try the Lancome. My sister uses the Clinique and seems to like it.
The Mac foundation sounds good.
I wonder if any of the brands give samples to try?
You can always ask at the counter. MECCA and Sephora have little sample pots- they are just darling!
I prefer matte foundations. I think what others call dewy looks sweaty & greasy.
LOL! So true. When I think of dewy skin, I think of makeup free skin.
Misfortune, you are not the only one. Matte all the way for this oily face!
I dislike foundation. Spot concealer combined with colour correction or tinted moisturiser are my preferences.
I don’t like foundation either and use a bit of BB cream mixed with moisturiser for a very light cover
This is my preference as well
If I were ever to don foundation again, I’d choose Clinique.
I need to try that Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup!!!
I tend to use a BB cream over a foundation unless I’m really getting dressed up. I use to always go for a Matte foundation, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve switched to a dewy one & its much more forgiving with all the lines & wrinkles.
I would love to have a lovely glow on my skin but don’t like foundation much.
I like Nude by Nature, Clinique Even Better and using a standard foundation but adding glow with highlighters.
I think Rimmel London’s Wake Me Up foundation is the best in terms of giving a dewy glow! I just love it!
The Maybelline Fit Me is one of my favourite foundations.
My favourite dewy foundation is the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation with Comfort Serum. It also has SPF 20 and it smells divine.
My favourite dewy foundation is the Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hr Foundation with Comfort Serum. It also has SPF 20 and it smells divine.
Love the Clinique foundation!
I haven’t tried any of these before
I would prefer to just use a bit of concealer where I need I, and maybe some tinted moisturiser
I don’t wear foundation too often but I do like Maybelline New York’s Fit me.
My comment dissipated into the aether
I had a couple of those today. It only seemed to occur when I was trying to reply to someone not the article itself, it has stopped now and I can reply to people…
I have not used any of these. I am not a dewy makeup it just looks oily on me!
I will take Bourjois please.
I am still in search of the perfect one, thanks a great read.
Dewy sometimes looks oily to me.
These sound like lovely foundations, however I haven’t bothered applying them lately
Good article. Foundation isn’t my thing though. If I did use it, would definitely try one of these
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I like the sound of the Bobbi Brown foundation.
It’s been a while since I’ve worn foundation, but these do soun nice
i have oily skin but i hate matte foundations.. they make you look bad
The YSL ONE LOOKS VERY NICE
I haven’t tried any of these products, but glowy skin sounds fab 🙂