Matte meets dewy in a fun move where your makeup doesn’t need to pick sides    

Once upon a time, beauty standards dictated that you had to pick a side: team matte or team dewy. Either you looked like a glazed doughnut right out of a skincare campaign, or your complexion was perfectly powdered and shine-free. But I feel that the best makeup looks today combine techniques to make the best of both worlds. 

The trick is contrast. Pairing a soft-matte base with a little dewy skin, a matte lip with glossy-looking cheeks, or vice versa, and powdering through the T-zone and keeping the high points of your face fresh. Done right, the combination gives you something neither finish can quite achieve on its own: skin that looks polished and dimensional. 

And with humidity providing the backdrop, this isn't just an aesthetic choice. Matte textures can help control the areas where makeup tends to slip and blur, while dewy formulations keep the complexion looking radiant and far from flat. The golden rule to follow: matte where you need control, dewy where you want dimension. And the best part: the possibilities are endless.

Matte base + dewy cheeks 

Smashbox Always On Foundation, ₹4,250 + Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Dewy Liquid Blush, ₹2,000

Start with a soft-matte or natural-matte base, whether as a foundation or a BB cream, and keep the layer thin. Then bring back dimension with a cream or liquid blush on the cheeks. It works because your base gives you longevity, while the fresh cheek finish stops the complexion from looking flat. 

Dewy base + pressed powder 

Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Concealer, ₹3,300 + Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder Pressed Mini, ₹2,300         

If you prefer skipping foundation, you can choose to spot conceal and let your skin breathe. Apply a good SPF, and then use a use a pressed powder only around the nose, forehead and chin. You can apply a cream blush for a touch of colour. 

Matte cheeks + glossy-looking skin 

Pixi On-The-Glow Base Foundation Stick, ₹2,100 + Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge For Lips & Cheeks, ₹4,600       

This is a slightly more nuanced combination. Keep the blush and bronzer powder-matte, but add a very subtle luminous base underneath, such as an illuminated moisturiser, or mixing a couple of drops of liquid highlighter with your base, and a cheek tint or radiant creamy blush to keep it looking natural. 

Matte lips + dewy complexion 

Kay Beauty Hydra Glow Tinted Sunscreen SPF 40 PA++, ₹1,199 + HudaBeauty Liquid Matte Mousse, ₹2,250

This might be the easiest contrast of all, and a chic way to look polished all day long. Let your lips carry the matte finish while the rest of your face stays fresh and luminous with a light base stick. A velvet or soft-matte lip is especially good because it gives you the definition of a matte lipstick without making the entire look feel severe. 

Clear base + glossy lips 

Clinique Even Better Glow Liquid Foundation, ₹3,300 + Too Faced Lip Injection Power Plumping Lip Gloss, ₹2,450

If you, like me, love a glossy lip, then keep your base soft-matte, clear, or lightly luminous for this look. Use a tinted sunscreen and a light dusting of reflective powder so that humidity can’t win. Top it off with your favourite lip gloss or plumper. 

Let your eyes do the talking 

Urban Decay Naked Palette 3, ₹5,900         

Keep it simple with a soft taupe, chocolate or rose-brown matte shadow that adds definition to your eyes. A coat of clear mascara and a hint of shimmer in the inner corners, and you’re ready for the day. 

Flip the equation for nights out. Keep your base soft-matte so it has a better chance of staying put, then add a wash of glossy cream shadow or a luminous eyeshadow to the lids. Just keep the dewy product on the eyelid, rather than taking the shine all the way up to the brow bone. 

A good point to remember is to avoid a random mix of finishes. The secret to making matte and dewy work together is the placement. If everything is dewy, definition can get lost, and humidity can make the shine feel accidental. If everything is matte, skin can start to look flat. Instead, work with your preferences to create little moments of contrast. 

You also don't need to work with every combination. Pick two or three that work best for your skin type. The other trick is to make sure your textures actually work together. Give skincare a few minutes to settle before applying makeup, use thin layers, and avoid piling a very rich cream underneath a heavy matte base. The more product you stack, the more likely your makeup is to separate once the temperature rises. 

So, pair your finishes instead of picking one. Matte gives you control and staying power; dewy textures bring back freshness and dimension. Together, they make skin look polished but not flat, glowy but not greasy. It’s the perfect vibe check for Indian humidity.

Lead image: Getty Images, Inside images: The brands 

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