Celebrity makeup artist Allan Avendaño knows how to faux dewy skin. “When they ask for dewy and glossy, I’m their man,” he posted on Instagram, referring to the skin-flattering finishes he creates for his clients like Sarah Hyland and Zendaya. The one look we kept coming back to stare at: Empire’s Serayah at a Women in Film event earlier this summer. Below are the four steps to recreate her luminous complexion. 

 

1. Don’t use a luminous foundation

This may seem counterintuitive, but luminous foundations are not what you want to use. “They have too many light reflecting particles in them,” says Avendaño, explaining that the glow should come from highlighter. His three favourite neutral foundations are: Dior Diorskin Star Studio Makeup ($62), Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($68) and Tom Ford Traceless Foundation (similar, here)

 

2. Lightly contour.

Allan adds definition to the face with the DiorBlush Light and Contour Sculpting Stick ($48).

 

 

3. Get your highlight on fleek.

On Serayah, Avendaño used the Glossier Haloscope in Topaz (not available in Canada), applying it with a flat brush to the high points of her face. His pro tip: Blend the highlighter slightly above the cheekbone, to lift the eyes. Avendaño’s other go-to highlighters include Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal ($46) and The Estee Edit Flash Illuminator in Morning Light ($35).

 

4. Amp up the eyes.

To finish off the look, Avendaño applied Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyeshadow in shades Wine and Chiffon ($16 each) over the lid and along the lower lash line.