Has Dewy Makeup Reached The End Of Its Reign? Experts Weigh In On The Trend

Full disclosure: I adore dewy makeup. I love to gloss my cheekbones in highlighter until they glisten; I'll resemble a glazed donut any day. mbg's beauty director Alexandra Engler once joked that a subtle hint of shine and glowing finish are her beauty love languages—and, well, same. But recently, matte makeup has become all the rage, and the switch to shine-free has been far from subtle (the term "matte makeup routine" has over 5 billion views on TikTok). 

Ultimately, you should wear makeup in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable, but popular beauty trends are pretty cyclical in nature (if you need proof, allow me to point you to the resurgence of skinny brows). A dewy, fresh glow has held the crown title for years, but has it finally reached the end of its reign? 

I hesitate to pit these two against each other—both are stunning makeup looks in their own right. However, if you're looking for a certain way to guide your makeup, a dewy finish will generally include way more shimmer and shine; matte, on the other hand, appears pillowy and plush.

Just one big caveat: Matte is not synonymous with dry. "There used to be a time where we immediately associated any 'matte' makeup products with unappealing finishes like dry, caky, flaky, and patchy. Those days are over!" says makeup artist Alexandra Compton, product development manager at clean beauty retailer Credo. As formulas become much more elevated, she continues, the matte makeup category refers to not just one finish but a range of different outcomes: think luminous-matte, natural-matte, 3D-matte, velvet-matte, and more. Perhaps that's why we're seeing such a matte makeup revival (well, that and our affinity for everything '90s-inspired, which includes a matte base with glossy lips).

"I'm seeing new types of technologies being used to create innovative ingredients, especially within the powder category, such as mica powders coated with vegetable wax designed to smooth and even out uneven skin texture while helping to maintain skin hydration and comfort with wear," Compton adds. "A pressed powder made with this ingredient would feel extremely smooth, almost creamy to touch, and would wear like a second skin."

She also calls out elastic starch polysaccharides (which are used in place of microplastics or polymers) to create a flexible film without sacrificing skin hydration. "If incorporated into a matte formula, this ingredient would make the product feel ultra-lightweight on the skin and would blend in seamlessly while smoothing over texture or fine lines," she notes.

Do not be mistaken: Going matte does not mean you should ignore hydration! In fact, a hydrated, supple base is key to avoid flakiness midday.

A primer's main gig is to create a barrier between your skin and makeup, which helps keep your foundation from dissolving midday—so it's crucial for any matte look. "Priming is so important for matte makeup looks because it will ensure that your skin is comfortably balanced throughout wear and helps to prevent separation or settling of your other products," adds Compton.

Another matte makeup mistake? Thinking you can only use pressed powder foundations. Of course, these options are wonderful for providing a shine-free yet non-caky finish (Greenberg personally loves Younique's Touch Complexion+ Pressed Powder Foundation, which lasts up to 12 hours), but if you want to use a liquid or cream product, you can go right ahead. In fact, "I like to layer different textures so they look softer," Greenberg says. Think powder foundations layered with creamy concealers (just make sure you test it out before you build, as some formulas can start to pill). 

Rather than focusing on texture, take a quick peek at the label—to keep the makeup matte, you'll want to seek water-based formulations. "Check out the first few ingredients of the product's ingredient list," advises Compton. "If they are all oils, waxes, or fatty acid derivatives, then you can expect the product to be very emollient, possibly thick, and very dewy in finish." Suntegrity's Impeccable Skin Broad Spectrum SPF 30, for example, contains a base of water and aloe vera, as does Kosas' Revealer Concealer.