Dewy or Matte?

[thunderstealer]

I'm 36 and am embarrassed to say I've never really progressed in makeup application past a teenage smear of foundation (applied with my fingers!) and a dab of blush / bronzer. If I'm going out, a wonky slick of eyeliner and some mascara is added!

I've decided I really need to sort myself out, and have started on a good skincare regime and to invest a bit more time / effort in makeup.

I always think I like dewy makeup - a kind of natural glam, healthy glow.

However, I feel like I can sometimes look quite shiny, and can't decide if this is good or bad?! I worry sometimes that my makeup is visible / looks a bit caked / flaky, but I still look a bit shiny.

I really want a nice coverage which looks like actual dewy healthy skin, which I seem not to be able to achieve as well as others! Any good tips?

Is dewy vs matte entirely down to preference? Is one better than another for skin type etc?

Are there any really nice dewy foundations which look natural?!
I've been using estee lauder double wear light (and sometimes No 7 hydraluminous, which I'm told is a good dupe!)

I tend to do a mix
So I powder under my eye (v lightly) so no creasing, my forehead, chin and upper lip. Then leave my cheeks not powdered so you get a bit of a glow

@bonfirebash thank you! I bought a Laura Mercier powder that seems to have great reviews - honestly this is how bad I am, I don't even know if I'm using it properly? I can't seem to get much powder out of the small holes in the jar!

Im

Why don't you book an appointment somewhere like a bobbi brown counter. Explain what you'd like and see if they'll do you a make over and then just buy a small thing and see how it wears for a few hours and what you like/don't like and go back and explain and see what they suggest.i think, especially at the moment, they'll understand you don't want to spend a fortune to find stuff doesn't work longer term etc. I don't think you're alone with not being sure about it all, especially as even if you'd been great at it in your early 20s skin changes a lot due to hormones/age/stress etc so what you need/want also changes a lot.

Did anyone else think this was a baby name thread at first?😂

I read this as baby names on first glance! Neither:)

Dewey is the trend. I'm 40 with dry skin and haven't used powder for years, makes me look way older.

Sorry!! 😂🙈

So I definitely prefer the dewy look.

I keep my make up routine really simple because my life is too busy being a lone parent and working full time.

Skin prep is key, so your usual routine finished with an SPF moisturiser.

I use the Trinny BB cream, then the tinted serum as a base.

Then I use the Trinny makeup as it's really quick and easy and comes in stacks/pots and you can just use your fingers.

Also a useful app on their site if you aren't sure what colours work best for your skin.

Keep it simple OP

Yes thought baby name 😂 😂

Bobbi brown intensive serum foundation is very good and dewy but ££. I use it as a PP says with a bit of power on the nose, centre of forehead and upper lip to take down the shine in the naturally shiny areas. Try a sponge or brush to apply as it seems to sit on top of the skin less than with fingers.

@Booklover40 yes 😂 I was thinking well Dewey is probably a bit better .

That aside I'm 36 and find foundation makes me look older, maybe I'm not doing it right but I have nice skin and look a lot younger than my age (not boasting honest!) but when I wear foundation it settles in to fine lines and makes me look older. Even trying all the tricks and powder on top. I just wear a bit of concealer now. Along with bronzer or blusher and the rest. I am olive skinned with freckles though and foundation has never really agreed with me anyway.

I just use powder make up. Loose translucent mica based powder over sunscreen then a coloured powder compact, mineral powder concealer if needed. I end up looking dewy anyway. With liquid/crème foundation I just look oily. My makeup lasts pretty much all day. Only top up lip colour.

I used to have a very oily 'T zone' and used to struggle to keep make up from just sliding off! But now the oily area has shrunk to just my nose creases and the middle of my forehead. So I still use a fluff of powder on those areas, but I don't go any where near my eyes with it, as even the best ones really age my skin.

If you can't afford to buy 2/3 different foundations to try out the 'l didn't bother with foundation' look, use a blob of moisturiser mixed with a blob of your normal foundation. I just dot them both around on my face and blend together on my skin.

It spreads around really well and after a few minutes the moisturiser has sunk away into the skin leaving a really thin veil of the foundation.