Cheat a glow

Sorry lazy gals, there's no way around it: the dewy skin effect is difficult to fake. You can't just dust on shimmer powder and hope for the best. Because what's really beautiful about dewy skin is that it is a natural glow that looks like it's coming from within your complexion, not on top.

Luckily, this isn't that hard to do. The key is hydration, hydration, hydration. Your skin is constantly craving moisture so if you give it the right mix it will perk up instantly. Then, all you need are a few key brightening products and your face will glow more than Gwyneth Paltrow's at the Oscars.

Keep reading to see how you can master dewy looking skin in just four steps.

Exfoliate
Whether you use a peel, scrub, or glycolic-infused cleanser, nothing helps plump up dull skin like sloughing off dead skin cells. Try to exfoliate in one way or another at least twice a week to keep your complexion looking fresh.

Use a hydrating mask
Here's one step that gets skipped far too often. Even if you never forget to apply moisturizer, worship night cream, and practically bathe in serum, you're skin still needs the special kind of TLC that can only come from a hydrating mask. Why? Think of it like this: even if you eat relatively healthy you still probably need to take vitamins. Well, a mask once a week is an intense, concentrated dose of all the medicines (antioxidants, vitamins, and acids) your skin needs in one sitting. Opt for a brightening one, which will instantly give skin a natural glow.

Try a face oil
For a long time face oils had a bad rap. Most women avoided them for fear they would clog pores, cause breakouts, and make their T-zones look like an oil slick. Now we know that is not the case. In fact, just a dab of face oil mixed in with your foundation is the easiest way to get an even, beautiful complexion -- without that dry, cakey effect.

Dab on a highlighter
To give your complexion one last dewy boost, layer on a highlighter last. Swipe and dab onto the highest planes of the face: bridge of nose, cheekbones, brow bone, and chin, and use your finger to gently blend into skin.