Unlike a face of full-coverage makeup that can feel weighty, a natural dewy makeup look (with Hydro Grip Gel Tint, of course) always has a glass-skin finish while feeling weightless and breathable—the ultimate win-win. With our skin tint’s hydrating ingredients (hi, hyaluronic acid), barely there feel, and buildable coverage, we dare even those with oily skin to give the dewy look a try and not fall in love. But there’s a bit more to nailing a dewy skin look than that alone. Below, we’re breaking down the beginner-friendly steps to our go-to natural glowy makeup tutorial—and why Hydro Grip Gel Tint is non-negotiable for acing the trend.

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Can I create a dewy glow with traditional foundation?
Compared to most cream, powder, or liquid foundations, skin tints are meant to give you sheerer coverage suited for daily wear. A traditional dewy foundation is best for situations where you’re looking for medium-to-full coverage. “Typical foundation is not hydrating and can feel heavier than a tint,” adds Sara. Hydro Grip Gel Tint is designed to let your skin shine through for a lit-from-within look, but gives a buildable veil of tint and glow—like a subtle filter. “Hydro Grip Gel Tint has sheer-to-medium coverage and it still feels like wearing a breathable and comfortable gel moisturizer,” she says. It’s so light, in fact, it feels like you’re adding an extra layer of skincare.

How do I find my shade of Hydro Grip Gel Tint?
Makeup artists will often tell you that the best way to find your shade is in person. Sara agrees. “If you can get to a Sephora, that's always my first suggestion,” she says. “When possible, go in makeup-free so they can actually try some shades on your skin and make sure they blend in.” If you can’t make it to a store, we replicated the experience as closely as possible with our website. “There are a ton of swatches and model shots to help you find a match closest to your skin tone,” says Sara.
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How to create a dewy natural makeup look
1. Prep your skin with a hydrating primer.The most important step in nailing the dewy makeup trend is prepping your canvas with a hydrating makeup primer. Not only will our award-winning Hydro Grip Primer give the makeup products you use over it serious longevity, but it will also give you the look of glass skin, even if yours is typically dry. Blue agave extract helps form an invisible layer to lock in your dewy makeup look for up to 12 hours while adding a burst of hydration like an extra layer of moisturizer. Speaking of which, be sure to run through your skincare routine right before priming your skin, Sara recommends. She slathers on moisturizer before spreading a thin layer of Hydro Grip Primer on top. “No need to rub it in,” she says. |
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2. Apply a lightweight skin tint.After your skin is primed with lots of moisture, it’s time for skin tint. Skip the matte, full-coverage foundations and powders for this makeup look. Instead, you want to summon every bit of glow you can with lightweight, glowy skin tints. Sara says to go in with a light layer of Hydro Grip Gel Tint, but if you want to intensify the glow even further, blend your skin tint with a liquid highlighter, like Bionic Glow, before blending it into your skin. Choosing what to blend with is up to your personal preference; fingertips are the easiest, but if you want to keep your digits clean, a makeup sponge or brush will also do the trick. Once you’ve settled on your blending tool of choice, work from the center of your face. “I typically start in the middle of my face and apply a strip [of product] down my nose, under eyes, chin, and forehead, then blend outward,” says Sara. “Make sure to blend down into your neck for seamless coverage.” We designed the formula to be buildable, so you can start with less and work up more coverage in the areas that need it, like your T-zone. Remember that skin tints aren’t designed to act as full-coverage foundations, so you can spot conceal any areas that need extra tint. For more coverage, particularly if you want something more substantial for your blemishes, you can also dab Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer where needed. |
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Sculpt + set.Now that your complexion is covered, you can apply Sculpt Stick to define your natural contours, Matte Cream Bronzer for a tinge of warmth, and Lip + Cheek, our best-selling cream blush and lip color, for a seamless pop of bold pigment. Seal in the look with our glossy finish Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Setting Spray, et voilà—a glassy, natural look that could rival glazed donuts. Pro makeup tip: If your look is a little too dewy for your liking, Sara says you can add a setting powder to your dewy makeup routine. “If you want to use a powder and still keep it dewy, try applying Set + Refresh Spray first, then Pore Eclipse Matte Translucent Setting Powder, then another layer of spray.” This will minimize the dew without completely dimming your glow. |
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With additional reporting by Brooke Hannel.
Meet the Expert:
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.