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One of the most incredible things about makeup is how quickly styles can transition from hot new trends to cherished everyday routines. Beauty is always in motion—evolving, adapting, and transforming. Trends are often refreshed and reimagined to be more inclusive and versatile.
Take dewy skin, for example. Celebrated for its radiant, youthful glow, it has been a go-to in many makeup routines for quite some time. However, there’s now a fresh approach to this classic style: soft matte makeup.
The soft matte makeup look is emerging as a contemporary alternative to dewy skin, offering a sophisticated and refined elegance. It’s perfect for those who find dewy skin doesn’t suit their specific skin type and needs, while still providing a dreamy, flawless finish.
If soft matte makeup sounds like your kind of vibe, keep reading to discover what it entails, the skin types it complements best, and the tips and products you need to achieve this stunning, polished style.
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 to minimise the appearance of pores and control oiliness on the 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. If we had to describe it, matte makeup would be more like satin, whereas dewy would be silky. Though more understated than dewy makeup, matte is still utterly gorgeous and glamorous. No wonder soft matte makeup is the new dewy skin.
Soft matte makeup, when applied well, suits nearly all skin types, but it is particularly effective for those with oily or combination skin. For oily skin types, dewy makeup may not sit as well on the skin and can create an overly shiny appearance. Therefore, matte makeup can be a fantastic alternative, offering a glamorous, radiant finish without excessive shine.
For oily skin types, soft matte makeup can also have practical benefits by controlling shine and excess oil, reducing the appearance of pores, and preventing your makeup from slipping or transferring throughout the day. Matte makeup is also a great choice for those with combination skin, as it balances out oily areas without emphasising dry patches.
Don’t worry, though—if you have dry skin, you can still enjoy the soft matte look by ensuring you thoroughly moisturise and prime your skin before application. This will help prevent the matte makeup from drawing attention to dry areas or settling into fine lines and becoming cakey.
If you’re unsure about going the full distance with matte makeup, you can incorporate it in small doses, such as a matte lip or eye.
Achieving a soft matte makeup look is easy when you know how. Follow these steps for smooth, satin-like, flawless results:
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
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 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.
Step 2: Apply Foundation
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.
Step 3: Set with Powder
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.
Step 4: Add Colour
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 flush to the skin. It will give your look extra dimension and warmth, tying the whole look together.
Step 5: Define Lips
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.
NARS’ Soft Matte Complete Foundation is ideal for creating a smooth matte canvas. It offers a natural, skin-like finish while controlling excess oil and shine. The anti-oxidation complex also helps prevent colour shifting. If you have particularly oily skin, this foundation provides a soft, airbrushed effect, blurring pores and imperfections for a satin-smooth base.
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?
