Does Mixing Face Oil With Your Foundation Help Achieve a Dewier Base
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The Makeup Artist’s Secret to an Instant “Glass Skin” Finish
You’ve seen it all over social media and on the red carpet: skin that looks impossibly dewy, radiant, and luminous from within. It’s the coveted “glass skin” effect, a finish that looks like the result of a perfect skincare routine, not makeup. While a great primer can help, one of the most effective and customizable ways to achieve this look is with a professional makeup artist’s trick: mixing a single drop of face oil directly into your foundation.
But does this technique actually work for the average person, or will it just turn your face into a greasy, sliding mess? And can it really help prevent the look of cakey makeup?
The answer is yes, it works beautifully—if you do it correctly. We’re breaking down the science of this “foundation cocktail” and providing the step-by-step method for a long-lasting, dewy flawless base that can work for every skin type.
The Science: How the “Foundation Cocktail” Transforms Your Base
Adding a drop of oil to your foundation is a simple act of chemistry that changes the formula in three beautiful ways.
It Sheers Out Pigment for a More Natural Look
Adding a drop of oil slightly dilutes the pigment concentration of your foundation. This can transform a standard medium-coverage foundation into a more translucent, skin-like tint. The result is a more natural finish that evens out your skin tone while allowing your real skin to show through.
It Boosts Emollience and Glide
The oil adds extra slip and emollience to the foundation formula. This helps the foundation glide effortlessly over any dry patches or textured areas instead of clinging to them, which is a primary cause of a patchy, cakey look, especially on mature skin with wrinkles & fine lines.
It Creates a Luminous, Light-Reflecting Finish
The oil itself provides a radiant finish. When mixed with the foundation pigments, it creates a base that reflects light in a soft, beautiful way, giving you that coveted “lit-from-within” glow of rejuvenation.
The Method: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Perfect Dewy Base
The success of this technique is all in the details.
Step 1: Choose a Lightweight, Fast-Absorbing Oil
This is crucial. You need a lightweight, elegant oil that is non-comedogenic and absorbs well. Excellent choices include Squalane, Jojoba, or Marula oil. Heavier, greasier oils will not work well for this technique.
Step 2: The “One-Drop” Rule is Non-Negotiable
On the back of your hand or a makeup palette, dispense your usual amount of foundation. Then, add one single drop of your face oil. This is not the time to be heavy-handed. One drop is enough to create a dewy finish; any more will likely look greasy.
Step 3: Mix and Press into the Skin
Use your finger or a makeup brush to thoroughly mix the oil and foundation together on your hand until they become one cohesive formula. Then, for the most seamless finish, use a damp makeup sponge to press and bounce the mixture into your skin. This technique ensures a perfect, streak-free application.
Step 4: Set Strategically, Not All Over
To maintain the beautiful glow without looking oily as the day goes on, be very strategic with your setting powder. Use a small, fluffy brush and a tiny amount of translucent powder to set only the areas that tend to get shiny, such as the T-zone, around the nose, and under the eyes. Leave the high points of your face, like your cheekbones, completely powder-free.
The Pro-Tip for Oily Skin
Can you use this technique on oily skin? Yes! Instead of mixing oil into your foundation all over, apply your foundation as usual. Then, take a tiny, pin-head-sized drop of oil on your fingertip and press it only onto the very high points of your face where you’d normally apply a powder highlighter (the tops of your cheekbones, your brow bone). This gives you a targeted, dewy glow without adding any extra shine to your T-zone.
The Verdict: Your Custom-Blend for a Radiant Finish
So, does mixing face oil with your foundation help achieve a dewier base? Yes, absolutely. It is the fastest and most customizable way to transform the finish of any foundation into a luminous, skin-like formula.
This simple pro technique puts you in control. It allows you to sheer out coverage, boost radiance, and fight cakiness, creating a truly personalized flawless base. It’s the ultimate hack for achieving a healthy, hydrated, and luminous look every single time.
