(Beauty Report Card)

These Dewy Foundations Are Why I Get So Many Compliments On My Skin

Giving credit where credit is due.

Courtesy of Erin Lukas

by Erin Lukas

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: March 4, 2023

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Humblebrags are one of my biggest pet peeves, but there really isn’t a better way to put it: I get a lot of compliments on how glowy my skin looks. And as a 30-something whose primary skin care goal is to maintain my complexion and fight off the sands of time for as long as possible, I will gladly accept any and all positive feedback. While there are a lot of factors that contribute to my healthy complexion (being blessed with good genes and access to the best skin care products through my job), wearing a solid dewy foundation makes the biggest impact on my skin.

Regardless of whether it’s a frigid gray winter day or a sweltering summer afternoon, my goal is to make my skin as radiant as humanly possible, giving off the vibe that I’m fresh-faced because I’m so carefree (the complete opposite of how I feel most weekdays). In fact, the real secret is the wardrobe of dewy foundations I’ve amassed through a ton of trial and error, plus a few key skin prep products and application tools. I have go-to complexion products for when I’m after just a hint of coverage, plus ones I turn to for more coverage on days when I’m wearing a full face of makeup. When shopping for a glowy foundation, the key is to look for formulas with the same hydrating ingredients that are in your skin care products — they will help keep the pigment smooth and prevent it from settling into any uneven texture if your skin is on the dry side.

To help you narrow down all of the options on the market, I’ve compiled my tried-and-true dewy foundations, along with the complimentary skin care products and tools I use with them.

Foundation Skin Prep

Olehenriksen

Strength Trainer Peptide Boost Moisturizer

$51

A dewy foundation works best on smooth, plump, moisturized skin. The thick, rich texture of this Olehenriksen moisturizer makes it top tier – it leaves my skin so plump and juicy. One year since it’s launch, I still find myself reaching for it over the other creams in my medicine cabinet.

Renée Rouleau

Weightless Protection SPF 30

$58

While sunscreen is the one skin care step I never skip, I’ll be the first to admit it’s hard to find one that meets all of my requirements: a lightweight formula, mineral SPF filters that won’t clog my hormonal acne-prone skin, and a texture that doesn’t pill over moisturizer and under makeup. Leave it to celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau to crack the code.

Lightweight Coverage

Tower 28

SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen

$32

On days when I’m working from home or bopping around my neighborhood on weekend afternoons, I opt for a glow-boosting tinted moisturizer. Bonus points if it has SPF in its formula for added sun protection on top of my sunscreen. With impressive color payoff that even covers most of my blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and long-wear that doesn’t oxidize, Tower 28’s Sunnydays is one of my favorite lightweight complexion products.

Armani Beauty

Neo Nude True-To-Skin Natural Glow Foundation

$48

When a handful of beauty editors compliment your skin, you know you’re doing something right in the makeup department. Like clockwork, whenever I’ve worn this foundation at events, an editor or two has told me they love how glowy my skin looks. Each time, I’ve been wearing Armani’s Neo Nude Foundation. The formula is infused with skin care ingredients for a smooth flowy finish and feels weightless on the skin. Just note: While it does offer a light coverage, I do typically have to go in with a concealer on any blemishes or particularly dark spots on my chin and jawline.

Summer Fridays

Sheer Skin Tint

$42

A true skin tint, this is another product I use on days when I don’t really want to wear makeup. It boosts my complexion with a natural finish that looks like my skin – just better, as though I’m in a perfectly-lit room at all times. The serum-like formula is packed with a ton of hydrating ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid so my skin is getting additional moisture throughout the day.

Medium Coverage & Beyond

Kosas

Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25

$42

Inspired by the beloved concealer of the same name, Kosas’ Revealer Foundation has legions of fans – including me. On days when I do wear makeup, bets are I have this on as my base. It offers medium buildable coverage with second-skin finish that leaves skin with a healthy, radiant glow. The formula never gets cakey or oxidizes, whether it’s freezing or hot and humid out.

Makeup By Mario

SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation

$42

A newer addition to my collection, Makeup By Mario’s long-awaited first foundation doesn’t disappoint. The secret behind its glowy, untraceable finish is the brand’s “perfecting powders”, which work with the skin’s natural texture to create a smooth, even complexion. Tried-and-true skin care ingredients like grapeseed oil and squalane help keep skin moisturized, which in turn, prevents the product from settling into fine lines and wrinkles.

Charlotte Tilbury

Beautiful Skin Foundation

$49

Like the name implies, this Charlotte Tilbury foundation leaves skin beautiful. The fan-favorite formula is stacked with an all-star lineup of skin care ingredients to hydrate, smooth, and minimize the look of pores. With that, the brand promises the foundation will help strengthen the skin barrier over time, in addition to providing instant results.

My Go-To Foundation Tools

Beautyblender

Original Beautyblender

$20

Because my morning routine is a sprint and not a marathon, I typically slater foundation on my face with my fingertips and then blend it out. Afterwards, I’ll tap any uneven spots with a Beautyblender sponge to ensure my foundation has a seamless finish.

Kevyn Aucoin

Duet Foundation Brush

$52

When I do spend more time finessing my makeup look, I will reach for a foundation brush. I love this dual-ended one by Kevyn Aucoin because it’s like having two tools in one, not to mention the synthetic bristles are ridiculously soft on my skin. The shape of the actual brush mimics that of a makeup sponge, so it’s really easy to distribute and blend product exactly where I need it.

This article was originally published on March 4, 2023