Winter brings cooler temperatures, drier air, and a shift in makeup preferences. Whether you’re drawn to a soft glow or prefer a matte, polished finish, choosing the right winter foundation is key to achieving a look that enhances your skin while keeping it comfortable and balanced.
At SAINT MINERALS®, we offer a range of clean, skin-loving formulas designed to cater to every finish preference. Whether you want to radiate a natural glow or keep things matte and shine-free, we’ll help you find the perfect match for your winter routine.
Dewy vs. Matte: What’s the Difference?
The biggest distinction between dewy and matte foundations lies in their finish and how they interact with your skin. Dewy foundations provide a luminous, glowing look, giving the skin a fresh, hydrated appearance. They typically offer light to medium, buildable coverage and contain hydrating, lightweight formulas that work best for dry or combination skin. These foundations create a radiant, youthful effect, but may require touch-ups throughout the day.
On the other hand, matte foundations deliver a shine-free, velvety finish that helps control oil and creates a smooth, polished complexion. They tend to offer medium to full coverage, with oil-absorbing, long-wearing formulas that are ideal for oily or combination skin. Matte foundations feel lightweight and powdery, providing long-lasting wear with fewer touch-ups needed throughout the day.
Your choice between dewy vs. matte depends on your skin type, desired look, and preference—whether you want a fresh, glowing finish or a flawless, long-wearing matte look.
Dewy Winter Base: Soft, Luminous Skin
Dewy makeup is all about radiance—healthy, hydrated-looking skin that glows even in the cold, dry winter months. This finish mimics the natural luminosity of fresh, plump skin and is ideal for dry or combination skin types that need an extra boost of hydration during winter.
Best SAINT MINERALS® Products for a Dewy Finish:
- BB Cream – Our BB Cream is a lightweight, skin-loving formula that provides sheer-to-medium coverage while delivering intense hydration. It evens skin tone and leaves a soft, dewy glow.
- Natural Oil Primer – Designed to nourish and hydrate the skin, this primer preps your base while giving it a healthy radiance. Mix it with your Loose Foundation for an even more natural, second-skin glow.
- Golden Glow Primer – Infused with 24K gold flakes, this primer brightens and enhances your skin’s natural radiance, creating the perfect base for luminous makeup.
- All Over Loose Bronzer – A finely milled bronzer that adds warmth and dimension, giving your skin that sun-kissed glow—even in winter.
- Loose & Pressed Highlighter – Our Loose Highlighter is a bright, pearl-like glow, while the Pressed Highlighter is a warm golden tone—both are perfect for enhancing your best features.
How to Achieve a Soft Glow Look:
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Prep your skin – Hydrate with the Natural Oil Primer or Golden Glow Primer to create a luminous base.
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Choose your foundation – Opt for our BB Cream for a sheer, dewy look, or mix a drop of Natural Oil Primer into the Loose Foundation for a slightly more polished, luminous finish.
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Add warmth – Use our All Over Loose Bronzer lightly on the high points of your face for a naturally sun-kissed effect.
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Illuminate strategically – Apply Loose or Pressed Highlighter on your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose to catch the light.
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Set with a light touch – If you need extra longevity, apply a small amount of Mineral Veil to keep your glow fresh without reducing the radiance.
Matte Winter Base: Shine-Free, Flawless Finish
If you prefer a smooth, polished complexion, a matte finish is ideal—especially if you have oily skin or prefer long-wearing makeup. A matte base eliminates excess shine and provides a more refined, velvety look that stays put throughout the day.
Best SAINT MINERALS® Products for a Matte Finish:
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Cream Foundation – A cream-to-powder formula that blends effortlessly and sets to a smooth, matte finish. Ideal for those who want a medium-to-full coverage that lasts.
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Pressed Foundation – Lightweight yet buildable, this foundation offers a flawless, matte look that doesn’t cake or settle into fine lines.
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Pressed Matte Bronzer – Unlike the All Over Loose Bronzer, this matte bronzer contains no shimmer, making it ideal for natural sculpting and contouring.
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Colour Correcting Primer – A mattifying primer that smooths and refines the skin while balancing uneven skin tone and neutralising redness.
How to Achieve a Matte, Long-Wearing Look:
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Start with a mattifying primer – Use our Colour Correcting Primer to minimise pores, smooth skin texture, and reduce excess shine before applying foundation.
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Choose your base – Opt for our Cream Foundation for a medium-to-full coverage matte finish or our Pressed Foundation for a lightweight, buildable option.
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Sculpt with a matte bronzer – Our Pressed Matte Bronzer is perfect for adding depth and definition to the face without any shimmer.
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Set for all-day wear – Lock in your look with a dusting of Pressed Foundation or Loose Powder to keep everything in place and control shine throughout the day.
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Keep it fresh – If you find certain areas get oily, keep Pressed Foundation on hand for quick touch-ups.
Can’t Decide? The Best of Both Worlds
If you love elements of both finishes, you can customise your look! Our Liquid Foundation is the perfect in-between option with a satin finish—balancing glow and longevity.
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Loose Foundation – A light-reflecting powder that blurs imperfections while offering a semi-matte, natural finish.
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Mineral Primer – Perfect for combination skin, this primer hydrates without adding shine, making it ideal for layering under both matte and dewy bases.
Customise Your Finish:
✔ Mix BB Cream + Loose Foundation for a soft glow with longer wear.
✔ Apply Loose Highlighter over Matte Foundation to add dimension.
✔ Use a damp sponge with Pressed Foundation for a softer, diffused matte finish.
Dewy or Matte: Which One is Best for You?
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If you prefer a fresh, glowing look, have dry skin, or want light, breathable coverage, go for a dewy finish with BB Cream + Highlighter.
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If you love a polished, long-lasting look, have oily skin, or need all-day coverage, a matte base like Cream or Pressed Foundation is ideal.
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If you can’t decide and want the best of both worlds, go for Liquid Foundation or Loose Foundation for a balanced, semi-matte glow.
Find Your Perfect Winter Base with SAINT MINERALS®
Whether you love soft glow makeup or a flawless matte look, SAINT MINERALS® has the perfect winter base for your skin type and style.
✨ What’s your go-to winter foundation? Tell us in the comments or tag us @saintminerals with your perfect winter glow!
📍 Shop Now + Find Your Match!