The Perfect Dewy Summer Makeup Look

A dewy summer makeup look is all about a fresh, sun-kissed glow: a luminous skin-like base, a touch of facial oil for radiance, warm cream bronzer, and highlighter on the high points of the face. Keep coverage light and the lip soft and natural so skin looks lit from within.

The perfect summer makeup look is light, luminous, and glowing — the kind of fresh, sun-kissed finish that holds up in the heat and looks like your skin, only better. Instead of heavy coverage, it layers radiance: a hydrated base, a hint of warmth, and highlighter exactly where the sun would naturally hit.

Below is the full step-by-step, plus the original tips from the Albolene Makeup Challenge winner who created this glowy look. For more seasonal ideas, browse all of our makeup artist tips & tricks.

What you’ll need

A hydrating moisturizer and a few drops of facial or argan oil
A tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or sheer foundation
Cream bronzer for a sun-kissed warmth
A liquid or cream illuminating highlighter
A soft, natural blush
A neutral, glossy lip color or tinted balm

A glow always starts with skin prep. Moisturize well, and at the end of the day, Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser melts away sunscreen, sweat, and long-wear makeup in one gentle step so your skin can recover overnight.

The way I achieve a dewy sun kissed look is by incorporating Argan Oil into my makeup routine. I'll either use it before my foundation or mix it into my foundation or tinted moisturizer. Another key to having a sunkissed look is using an illuminating highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, inner corners of your eyes, tip of your nose and your Cupid's bow. Lastly, when choosing a lip color, go with something neutral and light. Something natural even if it's just lip balm to give you a little shine. With using these tips and tricks you should be able to achieve a glow within no time.

— Donielle Campopiano, Albolene Makeup Challenge

How to Get the Look

Prep with a hydrated, glowing base

Start with well-moisturized skin and let it sink in. For an extra-dewy finish, mix a drop or two of argan or facial oil into your moisturizer or foundation — a tip straight from this look's creator — so your base looks luminous rather than flat.
Keep coverage light and skin-like

Apply a tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or sheer foundation with a damp sponge, then spot-conceal only where you need it. The goal is real-skin texture, so let some natural radiance show through instead of fully covering it.
Add a sun-kissed warmth

Sweep a cream bronzer where the sun naturally hits — the tops of the cheeks, temples, and along the hairline. Cream formulas melt into a dewy base and look more skin-like than powder in summer heat.
Highlight the high points

Tap an illuminating highlighter onto the tops of your cheekbones, the inner corners of your eyes, the tip of your nose, and your Cupid's bow — exactly the spots our challenge winner recommends — for a lit-from-within glow.
Add a soft flush

Smile and blend a soft, warm blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a healthy, just-back-from-the-beach flush. Cream blush layers beautifully over a dewy base.
Finish with a natural, glossy lip

Keep the lip soft and light: a neutral gloss, sheer lip color, or even a shiny balm. A little shine ties the whole fresh, glowy look together.

Prep & Remove Any Look with Albolene

Start with a soft, moisturized base so makeup goes on smoothly — and when the look has done its job, Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser melts away glitter, face paint, and even waterproof makeup in one gentle step. No harsh scrubbing, no stripped skin.

Shop Moisturizing Cleanser

Frequently Asked Questions

Start with well-hydrated skin and a luminous, lightweight base like a tinted moisturizer or BB cream — mixing a drop of facial oil into your base boosts the glow. Add cream bronzer and a dewy highlighter on the high points of your face, and finish with a soft, glossy lip so skin looks fresh and lit from within.

Use a cream bronzer where the sun naturally hits — the tops of the cheeks, temples, nose, and hairline — then layer a warm blush and a glowy highlighter. Keep coverage sheer so your natural skin shows through, which reads more like a real tan than a heavy made-up look.

Prep with a grippy, hydrating base rather than heavy layers, choose cream and long-wear formulas, and set only your T-zone so the rest of the skin stays dewy. Blotting papers refresh the look midday without adding more product.

Oil-based cleansers work best on water-resistant sunscreen and long-wear makeup. Massage Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser onto dry skin so it melts everything away, then wipe clean with a soft cloth — no scrubbing, and skin stays moisturized.