If your skin becomes dry during certain seasons—or all year round—you’ve probably wondered whether it’s possible to create a radiant, hydrated look with makeup. The great news is: it is! With the right skincare and makeup products, you can enhance your skin’s natural glow while adding freshness and moisture. The key is to choose suitable formulas and know how to apply them.
In our article, we’ve gathered 10 top tips from makeup artists to help you achieve the perfect glow quickly and easily. Follow our step-by-step guide for makeup on dry skin and transform your look!
1. Take Proper Care of Your Skin
When working with dry skin, it’s essential to prepare it correctly before applying makeup to achieve the smoothest, most hydrated result. Recommended skincare steps include:
Before bed, place a warm cloth on your skin for 30 seconds or slightly longer to soften it. Then gently cleanse your face: apply the cleanser using light circular motions with your fingertips or a cloth, paying special attention to dry areas and folds around the nose. Immediately after washing, while your skin is still slightly damp, apply a moisturizer or oil to “lock in” the hydration.
If your skin is particularly dry, use additional moisturizing products in your evening routine. Apply them in layers—from lighter to heavier, occlusive formulas—about 30 minutes before bed so they fully absorb and provide maximum nourishment and comfort overnight.
2. Avoid Ingredients with Excessive Drying Effects
A great idea is to review your cosmetics to make sure they truly hydrate your skin and are suitable for dry skin types. Pay particular attention to the foundation and concealer you use immediately after your skincare routine.
For dry skin, it’s especially important to provide enough moisture. You should avoid ingredients that can dry out the skin, such as salicylic acid, parabens, and alcohol. Instead, opt for products with hydrating components.
3. Choose Ingredients with Moisturizing Effects
Creamy, hydrating foundations and concealers are perfect for dry skin, especially after your skincare has fully absorbed — they essentially continue its effect. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid and natural oils: these help maintain optimal moisture levels and leave your skin soft and radiant.
4. The Stippling Method
For applying foundation, makeup artists recommend that those with dry skin use the stippling method. This involves gentle tapping motions rather than rubbing the product back and forth. This technique ensures an even coverage without emphasizing dry patches. For best results, use a clean damp sponge or a round foundation brush.
5. Know Your Formulas
Liquid, cream, and serum-based products will become your best allies, as their formulas usually contain moisturizing ingredients that care for your skin. Try to avoid mineral-based products: minerals themselves can dry out the skin, and in most cream or liquid foundations, they serve as the main pigment.
Also, choose long-wear products with caution — their chemical components can cause dryness. It’s recommended to avoid cosmetics with added fragrances, as they can increase irritation and contribute to dehydration.
6. Mixing Foundation with Moisturizer
Mixing your foundation with your favorite moisturizer creates a radiant, spa-like effect on the skin. To do this, simply add a drop of oil or a small amount of cream to roughly twice the amount of foundation on a palette or the back of your clean hand. The resulting blend provides deep hydration and a natural glow. The coverage will be lighter, but the result looks luxurious. If needed, you can gently conceal problem areas on top of this layer.
7. Delight Your Eyes
Since the skin on the eyelids is usually less prone to dryness, you can confidently use your usual powder eyeshadows, pencils, and mascara. However, if you experience dryness or want to add extra hydration, opt for cream eyeshadows or eye tints. When removing makeup, it’s especially important to be gentle: avoid pulling or tugging on the thin, sensitive skin of the eyelids.
8. Add Radiance with a Highlighter
Adding subtle strokes of highlighter or products that give the skin a natural glow and extra hydration is a great way to create a fresh, luminous makeup look. It’s important to remember that proper application technique is crucial: the glow should enhance the healthy appearance of the skin, not emphasize dry areas.
Many highlighters contain too much mica — a shimmering mineral powder that creates a glow — and not enough moisturizing ingredients. As a result, the product can cling to dry patches.
To achieve the perfect effect, first choose a highlighter with a suitable texture. Then identify the areas of your face that naturally catch the light: the cheekbones, under the brows, and above the upper lip. Apply cream or liquid highlighter with gentle tapping motions, then carefully blend with your fingers or a fluffy brush so the radiance spreads evenly, without clumps or streaks.
9. Use powder sparingly
For the finishing touches, remember: on dry skin, there’s no need to cover the entire face with powder. Most of the time, it’s enough to apply it locally to set makeup or slightly “matify” specific areas. Apply powder only where it’s truly necessary.
Powder is especially effective at setting concealer under the eyes, preventing creasing, and can be lightly applied around the nose, where the skin tends to get oily. Spot application of powder helps keep your makeup in place without taking away the skin’s freshness and natural hydrated look.
10. Finish the look by setting it with a hydrating spray
To make makeup on dry skin look natural and last longer, the final touch is a hydrating setting spray or tonic spray. It’s like a last sip of moisture for your skin, giving your look freshness and a natural glow.
Read also: How to Care for Dry Skin on the Neck: 6 Top Tips from Dermatologists