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By Sophie Joaman • January 24, 2025 • 6 mins read
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Beauty trends never stay still—what’s hot one day becomes your go-to routine the next. While dewy skin has been having its moment with that gorgeous, glowy finish, there’s a fresh twist making waves: soft matte makeup. This look gives you that polished, put-together vibe without any of the shine. It’s perfect if dewy skin just isn’t working for your skin type, but you still want that flawless finish. The secret? Getting your skin prepped right and finding a good primer that smooths everything out and keeps your makeup looking fresh all day.
If soft matte sounds like your vibe, keep reading to learn what this trend is all about, which skin types love it most, and the best tips and products to nail this gorgeous look.
Matte makeup is a style that is free from shine. Unlike dewy styles, which aim to give the skin a luminous, hydrated look, matte makeup creates a more even finish. It also helps control the appearance of pores and the appearance of excess sebum, making it an excellent choice for those with oily or combination skin. While the overall effect of matte makeup may be flatter than dewy finishes, it is anything but dull. In fact, many matte products feature a velvety texture that helps to blur the skin, almost as if it has been airbrushed.
Many products today also include skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin remains hydrated underneath the makeup. If we had to describe it, matte makeup would be more like satin, whereas dewy makeup would be silky. Though more understated than dewy makeup, matte is still utterly gorgeous and glamorous. With soft matte makeup, the shades stay true all day, ensuring a polished look from morning to night. No wonder soft matte makeup is the new dewy skin.
Soft matte makeup works for almost everyone, but it’s a game-changer for oily or combination skin. If a dewy foundation makes you look too shiny, a soft matte gives you that polished vibe without the oil slick effect. The benefits? It controls shine, minimises pores, and keeps your makeup from sliding around all day. For combination skin, it balances oily areas without emphasising dry patches. Have dry skin? You can still rock this look—just moisturise and prime really well first to avoid cakiness or settling into fine lines. A good concealer helps keep everything looking natural.
Not sure about going full matte? Start with just a matte lip or eyeshadow to try it out.
Prepping your skin is one of the most crucial steps in your makeup routine. Proper preparation helps your makeup glide on smoothly and stay put for longer. Begin with clean skin, ensuring it’s free from any leftover makeup or dirt. Next, moisturise your face to keep the skin soft and supple. For the perfect soft matte finish, apply a matte primer that blurs imperfections and creates a smooth base for your makeup. This will help achieve a flawless look and enhance the longevity of your makeup.
For a full matte look, choose a matte foundation that matches your skin tone closely. Apply a small amount of product to your brush or sponge, then gently dab it onto your skin. Blend it evenly across your entire face to achieve a seamless finish. If you’re prone to breakouts, opt for a foundation that is free of mineral oil to ensure it doesn’t clog pores.
Set your foundation with a translucent setting powder to ensure longevity and prevent unwanted shine throughout the day. Dab a light layer of powder onto your skin, focusing on areas that tend to get oilier, like the T-zone.
Use a soft matte blush to add a touch of colour to your cheeks. This will help maintain the matte finish while adding a beautiful, natural-looking flush to the skin. It will give your look extra dimension and warmth, tying the whole look together.
A soft matte lip can be incredibly stunning, so don’t hesitate to try matte lipsticks. Begin by outlining your lips with a lip pencil that closely matches your lipstick colour. A well-defined lip line helps your colour stay in place for longer. Next, apply your lipstick or lip stain to complete the look.
The ONE/SIZE Mini On ‘Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray locks in your makeup, keeps the shine at bay, and maintains your soft matte look for up to 16 hours. It’s a good choice for those with dry areas of skin who find powder too drying. Your skin will remain smooth and flawless while achieving that blurred effect synonymous with matte makeup. Make sure to use this spray as the final step in your routine to lock in your look.
NARS’ Soft Matte Complete Foundation is ideal for creating a smooth matte canvas. It offers a natural, skin-like finish while providing matte coverage and helping to control oil and shine. The anti-oxidation complex also helps prevent shades from shifting due to wear throughout the day. If you have particularly oily skin, this foundation provides a soft, airbrushed effect, blurring pores and imperfections for a satin-smooth base. It’s part of the new soft matte collection, perfect for full coverage needs.
The Makeup By Mario Soft Pop Powder Blush features a buildable formula that allows you to create a gentle flush of natural colour without adding shine or gloss. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle pop of colour or something more dramatic, it will add warmth and dimension to your skin, tying your look together.
Matte lipstick is a hot trend, and Huda Beauty excels with their Bullet Matte Lipstick. The finished matte look is effortlessly sophisticated and glamorous, ideal for both daily wear and special occasions. Whether you’re looking for a nude shade or something deeper, richer, or more vibrant, this lightweight lipstick is worth adding to your collection.
Will you be trying the soft matte look in your makeup routine? Matte makeup is perfect for those who struggle with oily skin and find dewy makeup too shiny. Beyond its practicality, it is stunning and stylish for almost any occasion. Celebrities and professionals adore it, and so do we. Why not give it a try and see how it works for you?
