The Best Winter Makeup Tips

1. Keep Your Skin Hydrated

Enduring the effects of dry winter skin can make achieving the radiant complexion of your dreams seem almost impossible. To attain glowing skin, a strategic skincare approach is essential. Combatting the harsh effects of cold weather on your skin begins with prioritizing hydration. Opt for a moisturizer like the AVANT SKINCARE Ultimate Resurfacing Duo Moisturizer, which is enriched with hyaluronic acid and shea butter, a skincare superhero that attracts and retains moisture, to help ensure your skin stays supple and well-nourished. Additionally, adopting a makeup routine that enhances your natural glow, while avoiding heavy formulations, is crucial. Never underestimate the power of sunscreen, as even when the sun seems elusive, UV and UVB rays can still penetrate and dehydrate your skin.

Another key tip is to gently exfoliate your skin with a lightweight skin polish like the ELEMIS Gentle Rose Exfoliator a couple of nights a week to remove dead skin cells. Then pamper your skin with the ultimate hydration boost by incorporating hydrating face masks into your beauty routine. The BRTC Vitamin B5 Velvet Mask & Vitamin A Velvet Mask Duo is infused with nourishing ingredients that provide an extra layer of moisture to revitalize your complexion. We recommend adding a weekly mask session to your routine to combat dryness and promote a dewy glow, since this ritual not only addresses winter-induced dehydration but also ensures a well-hydrated canvas for flawless makeup application.

2. Use Liquid Foundation

Opting for a liquid foundation is an efficient game-changer in the quest for winter radiance. Liquid foundations blend seamlessly to provide a flawless base that caters to various skin tones. Their lightweight texture allows for easy application, ensuring an even skin look that doesn’t appear cakey or settle into dry patches that are often exacerbated by winter. One of our faves? The MAKEUP FOREVER Ultra HD Liquid Foundation which offers buildable coverage while concealing imperfections. We love how a hydrating liquid foundation adapts to the changing texture of your skin in winter, leaving you with a flawless, second-skin finish.

3. Apply Glow Drops and Highlighter

Elevate your winter makeup routine with the dynamic glow drops and highlighter duo for a luminous complexion. Mix a few drops of the FLESH Ripe Flesh Glisten Drops with your foundation for all-over luminosity, or strategically dab it onto the high points of your face using a damp beauty blender for a targeted glow. This lightweight formula adds a touch of shimmer without overwhelming your skin, creating a radiant allure. Complement the glowy effect by applying a finely milled highlighter like the FENTY BEAUTY’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter along your brow bones, cheekbones, and down the bridge of your nose. The radiance of glow drops and highlighter is enough to break through the dreariness of winter, leaving your skin with a finish that captures the essence of a sun-kissed glow

4. Apply a Cream Blush

As winter's chill descends, add a touch of hydration (plus a dewy flush) to your skin by incorporating a cream blush into your makeup routine. Unlike powder blushes that may emphasize dryness, cream blush seamlessly blends into the skin, providing a natural, lit-from-within radiance. The creamy texture of the CIATÉ LONDON Velvet Skin Cream Blush makes it easy to apply with your fingertips as you build up the soft, buildable pigment. We love reaching for shades like rosy pinks or warm corals to mimic that coveted winter flush and adding a touch of freshness to the face.

5. Warm Up Your Complexion With Bronzer

Winter can feel dark, dreary, and drab. Counteract the gloom by warming up your complexion with a touch of bronzer. A matte bronzer like this one from SHADES BY SHAN, applied strategically along the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline, adds a subtle sun-kissed glow without the shimmer. Try this winter makeup tip yourself when you want to achieve a healthy glow, create dimension, and prevent your skin from appearing flat in winter's cool, muted light.

6. Keep Your Lips Hydrated

Winter winds can wreak havoc on delicate lips (we’re no stranger to sporting dry, chapped lips when this season rolls around). Just say no to a parched pout! Instead, incorporate a heavy-duty lip balm like the PIXI BEAUTY Shea Butter Lip Balm into your routine to help hydrate and protect. Before applying lipstick or gloss, ensure your lips are well-moisturized so that you have a smooth canvas for color application. Reach for hydrating formulas with nourishing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. This simple step not only enhances the longevity of your lip color but also ensures a comfortable and supple feel throughout the day.

7. Wear Waterproof Mascara

Combat winter's unpredictable elements by wearing waterproof mascara. Rain, snow, or even a few tears won't smudge your carefully crafted eye makeup. Waterproof mascara ensures a long-lasting, voluminous lash look, no matter the unpredictable weather challenges of the season. Need a rec? Try the TOO FACED Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, which locks in curl and pigment so you can say goodbye to unsightly raccoon eyes.

8. Go for Warm Eyeshadows

Infuse warmth into your winter eye makeup with rich, warm eyeshadow tones. Transition from cool grays and blues to earthy browns, burnt oranges, and deep burgundies with the VIOLET VOSS Olive You Forever Eyeshadow Palette. These warm hues complement winter's cozy aesthetic and enhance the depth and intensity of your eye makeup. Whether you’re creating a subtle daytime look or a sultry smoky eye for evening affairs, the infusion of warm eyeshadows and a rich kohl eyeliner capture the spirit of the season while still allowing your eyes to become the focal point of your winter beauty routine.

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