This dewy, illuminated look is not happening for me ...

[WellTidy]

My skin still looks dry and matt. What am I doing wrong?

I cleanse, moisturise and use a serum. Not loads of products, but they work for me. My skin is naturally dry, but it is clear and even. I am 39 and look it. I sleep ok. I eat ok and have upped how much water I drink

I alternate on what I use underneath my foundation. Sometimes I use Dior Glow Maximiser, sometimes I use Elemis pro radiance cream. Then I use YSL touche eclat foundation.

But my skin never looks radiant or glowing. I am aiming for that lovely, fresh, illuminated, dewy look. It is very much elding me ...

I'm 39 and have dry (albeit clear) skin.

I stopped using full-on foundation and use Origins Vitazing, which gives coverage but makes my skin really glow. Try it on your face allover without any make-up on, if you can. You'll be amazed.

PS: I also find oils work better than cream/lotion for my night routine

I don't use foundation for precisely those reasons - have never yet found one that doesn't make my skin look/feel dry. Have you tried a BB cream? I like the Clinique one - it's a step up from a tinted moisturiser but doesn't look like anything once it's on.

I have switched from moisturiser to oil at night, it has made a huge difference to my skin. I'm using the L'Oreal extraordinary oil, I really love it

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is very dewy and if your skin is clear and even you won't need a full foundation.

I'm your age op and i only use tinted moisturiser now.
I love the Liz Earle one

I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser - it's very light and I love it. I'm 45. A tube is quite expensive (over £30), but I don't use loads of it and it lasts way over 6 months.

I use a BB cream, but tinted moisturiser would do the same thing. Also like Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer under it and a touch of High Beam/another highlighter along the cheek and brow bones.

cleanse etc
Elizabeth Arden Good Morning skin primer
Olay touch of foundation.

Most days I don't wear make up at all, but used this combo for my wedding and looked dewy all day!

I use Bobbi Brown's CC cream, although I have combination skin so can only apply the lightest of layers or it causes blemishes. As you have drier skin it could be really beneficial for you - definitely provides an even, dewy complexion and makes my face feel very soft and moisturised afterwards.

Apart from that, drinking lots of water and eating olives in abundance seems to help (along with the usual cleanse/exfoliate, tone and moisturise routine)!

Switch to tinted moisturiser. Foundation and central heating = dry looking skin beyond 25 IMO.

The most radiant and glowing, healthy looking people I know do exercise such as zumba or running. I don't but I do like elemis pro radiance beauty flash balm and its a nice base for make up.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow is good for dewy. If you're the lightest shade (I am - it's ivory) go for Ivory - 'Believe in me' as the other ivory is more pink-ish and less dewy.
Would definitely recommend Benefit High Beam also. I dot some on my cheekbones and above eyebrows and rub in.

I use Clinique tinted moisturiser which is glowy not matt. I used to wear Estée Lauder double wear foundation which hides a multitude but is very thick and clings to dry bits.

There is also a tesco skin brightener (can't remember the exact name) probably Barbara Daly which is amazing and does a much better job than the Clarins radiance balm
that everyone used to rave about.

Healthy Mix Serum foundation is good for dewy.

Another one for Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. I bought some today having read good reviews on here and I'm so impressed! light and very dewy, but I think the real key is regular exercise that gets you hot and sweaty - Definitely works for me.

Another bb cream lover here too.
I like shishedo perfect hydrating bb cream. Or if you are struggling to pull yourself away from foundation Diorskin nude has a little more coverage.
And use illuminating makeup on top. The radiance range from bare minerals is very subtle.

I agree using a radiance/highlighty product on top will give you a more dewy finish. I use mac strobe cream and its one of the few makeup items i wear I get asked about - dewy with no shimmery bits/sparkles

The best illuminating finishing product I've tried is Chanel Le Blanc - looks like tipex in the bottle and it's applied very sparingly (lasts forever).

I use with with a small sponge and dab it without rubbing in the forehead, above blusher etc.

It looks as if you're glowing from the inside but in a strangely natural way; I get compliments every time I use it.

I completely understand your problem!
I've got oily skin and I like foundation and have tried every one out there or so it seems!
If I use a long lasting foundation to give me the flawless look I like it can look flat and ageing.
If I use a lighter one such as Bourjois Healthy Mix or similar it doesn't last as well !
I do use an illuminating product but I agree the coveted 'lit from within ' just doesn't happen

Body shop moisture foundation does what it says on the tin (erm tube?). Its a light- medium coverage and moisturises the skin all day. I have to touch up my powder when i'm wearing it but i have very dry skin so i'd rather stay a bit shiny as it were.
I also find cream blushes are better then powder and really rate the benefit highlighter (i've tried cheaper dupes but they're just not as good!)
Failing that a wee bit of vasaline on the cheekbones can really brighten up the complexion.

Late back to the thread, sorry.

I have a BB cream, and I also have Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser. I use them both when I'm on holiday and don't know anybody and feel that I can't be bothered with proper make up when its hot.

But I find that I don't look much different when I'm wearing them. I can barely notice a difference in my skin. I think I need somthing more. I also have the Bourjois healthy mix serum foundation. i find that it makes my skin look matt (?). I also use high beam sometimes abelow my brow bone and on my cheek bones. I can't see a difference.

Maybe its just me!

I think I will try the Chanel Le Blanc and the Origins Vitazing. I've never thought about using an oil instead of a moisturiser. I will ponder that some more ...

Thanks all.

I use Jan Marini skin products (the Bioglycolic cleanser is particularly great for clear skin), followed by Estee Lauder Idealist (I can wear this without foundaiton an people aleways comment on my skin) and then N0.7 Lift and Luminate Foundation. I use Chanel cream blusher and then Benefit high beam on my cheek bones.