Winter has arrived, bringing along colder temperatures and a unique set of challenges when it comes to your skincare and makeup routine. During these chilly months, it’s important to find the perfect balance between keeping your skin moisturized and looking stylish. Whether you’re new to makeup or just looking to update your routine for the winter season, these 25 tips will help you create the ideal winter makeup look. With hydrating products, fresh color palettes, and a few essential tools, you’ll be able to stay warm, comfortable, and effortlessly chic as you head back to school.
1. Hydrate Your Skin First
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As the temperatures drop, the air becomes drier, which can cause your skin to lose moisture quickly. To combat this, start your makeup routine by applying a rich, hydrating moisturizer. Look for a product that is formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides, which help lock in moisture and maintain your skin’s natural barrier. A well-hydrated base not only feels comfortable but also allows your makeup to go on smoother and last longer. Take your time to massage the moisturizer into your skin, focusing on areas that tend to be drier, like your forehead, nose, and cheeks.
2. Choose a Nourishing Primer
Source @Makeup By Morgan
Primer is a must-have in your winter makeup routine. During the colder months, your skin might need extra help to stay smooth and hydrated, and a nourishing primer can make a significant difference. Look for primers that have added moisture-boosting ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera, or peptides. These ingredients will help create a smooth canvas, minimize the appearance of pores, and ensure that your makeup stays in place all day long, even during the most unpredictable winter weather.
Why It’s Important: A primer helps fill in fine lines and creates a more even texture for your foundation. It also ensures that your makeup doesn’t slide off due to moisture or oil.
3. Use a Dewy Foundation
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In winter, your skin can appear dull due to the lack of humidity, which is why opting for a dewy foundation can be a game-changer. Choose a formula that offers hydration and a natural finish, giving you a fresh, glowing complexion. Avoid matte foundations, as they can accentuate dryness and make your skin appear even more parched. A dewy foundation helps your face look more radiant, which is especially important when the winter months leave your skin looking lackluster. Pro Tip: If you have oily skin, you can still enjoy a dewy finish by using a mattifying primer in combination with a hydrating foundation.
4. Conceal Winter Blues
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Winter weather can take a toll on your skin, leaving you with redness, dark circles, and other blemishes. To brighten up your complexion and cover any imperfections, reach for a creamy concealer that provides full coverage without being too heavy. Look for a product that offers moisturizing benefits, and be sure to choose one that’s a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone to brighten up your under-eye area. Gently blend the product into your skin using a makeup sponge or your fingertip for a seamless, natural finish. Tip: If you struggle with dryness under your eyes, opt for a hydrating concealer that contains ingredients like caffeine or peptides to reduce puffiness and smooth fine lines.
5. Add a Little Blush
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When it’s cold outside, your cheeks can lose their natural flush. A soft blush adds a healthy, youthful glow to your face, even in the middle of winter. Choose a powder blush with a satin finish for a natural look, or go for a cream blush that blends easily into the skin for a more dewy effect. Soft pinks, peaches, and berry tones are all great options for winter, as they can complement your winter wardrobe and enhance your overall complexion. Pro Tip: Apply your blush higher on your cheekbones to lift your face and create a flattering, sculpted look.
6. Embrace a Natural Brow Look
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Winter is the perfect time to embrace a natural brow look. Harsh temperatures and dry air can make your eyebrows look sparse and unruly, so instead of going for a bold, sculpted brow, try to keep them looking soft and effortless. Use a tinted brow gel to define your brows and fill in any sparse spots. The gel will not only shape your brows but also keep them in place throughout the day, no matter how windy it gets outside. Why It’s Ideal for Winter: Brow gels are hydrating and prevent your brows from becoming stiff or flakey, ensuring that they stay natural and comfortable.
7. Switch to Cream Eyeshadows
Source @mavenbeauty
When the weather turns cold, your eyeshadow formulas need to adapt to the change. Cream eyeshadows are perfect for winter because they blend smoothly, provide extra hydration, and don’t flake like powder formulas can. These shadows tend to last longer on the eyelids and stay vibrant throughout the day. Opt for rich, warm shades like bronze, rose gold, or taupe for a soft, elegant look that complements your winter makeup. Pro Tip: Use your fingers or a fluffy brush to apply cream eyeshadow for a soft, diffused effect.
8. Enhance Your Eyes with Mascara
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Mascara is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your eyes look more awake and bright, especially in the winter months when it’s easy to feel sluggish. Opt for a mascara that is formulated for volume and definition. For a dramatic look, try a lengthening mascara to open up your eyes and create a bold statement. Tip: To avoid smudging in cold or wet weather, consider using a waterproof mascara formula to ensure that your lashes stay in place all day long.
9. Keep Lips Moisturized
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Winter air can be incredibly harsh on your lips, leaving them chapped and cracked. To prevent this, make sure you keep your lips well-moisturized throughout the day. Use a hydrating lip balm that contains nourishing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. Layer a gloss or lipstick over the balm for a splash of color and shine. You can also apply lip oil for a more natural, dewy finish. Bonus Tip: Consider using a lip mask at night to give your lips an extra dose of hydration and repair.
10. Try a Bold Lip for Special Occasions
Source @joahbeauty
While neutral shades are perfect for everyday wear, winter is a great time to experiment with bold, rich lip colors for special occasions. A classic red or deep berry lip is perfect for holiday parties, school events, or any time you want to make a statement. Bold lips can elevate your look, bringing attention to your face and adding a touch of glamour. Pro Tip: When wearing a bold lip, keep the rest of your makeup simple and natural to avoid overwhelming your look.
11. Opt for a Hydrating Setting Spray
Source @joahbeauty
After all the work you’ve done to create your perfect winter makeup look, you’ll want to make sure it stays in place all day. Hydrating setting sprays are an excellent option for locking in your makeup without making your skin feel dry. Choose a setting spray that offers both hydration and long-lasting wear to keep your makeup looking fresh and dewy. Why It’s Important: Setting sprays helps prevent your makeup from melting away or fading due to the cold, dry air.
12. Consider a Foundation Stick for Easy Application
Source @Makeup Obsession
If you’re someone who’s always on the go, a foundation stick is an ideal solution for a quick and flawless application. These sticks are portable, easy to apply, and provide buildable coverage that’s perfect for winter. Simply swipe the stick over areas that need coverage and blend with your fingers or a sponge for a natural, smooth finish. Bonus Tip: Foundation sticks are also great for touch-ups throughout the day if you need to reapply makeup in between classes.
13. Highlight Your Cheeks for Extra Glow
Source @maccosmetics
Even in winter, you can achieve a radiant, healthy-looking complexion. Apply a touch of highlighter to the high points of your face—your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and your cupid’s bow—to create a glowing effect. Choose a subtle, cream-based highlighter for a more natural look, or go for a powder highlighter for a bolder, more intense glow. Pro Tip: Keep your highlighter light and subtle for school, but layer it up for more festive or evening occasions.
14. Use a Winter-Specific Skincare Routine
Source @Beautymone
In winter, your skincare routine needs to be adjusted to keep your skin hydrated and protected. Cold temperatures and indoor heating can cause your skin to lose moisture, so make sure you’re using richer creams and oils to lock in hydration. Consider using a heavier moisturizer at night and a gentle exfoliator once a week to slough off dead skin cells. Why It’s Important: A solid skincare routine will provide the best base for your makeup, ensuring that it goes on smoothly and stays intact all day.
15. Warm-Up Your Makeup Bag
Source @skin.lumi
As the weather shifts, so should the products in your makeup bag. Winter is the time to trade in your summer staples, like lightweight tinted moisturizers and powder foundations, for creamier, richer products that provide more hydration and comfort. Cream blushes, foundations with extra moisture, and hydrating concealers are perfect for the colder months. These formulations not only help your skin retain moisture but also provide a dewy, natural glow that looks fresh and youthful, even on the coldest days.
16. Go Easy on Powder
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Powder is a must-have for setting makeup, but during winter, it’s important not to overdo it. Heavy powder can make your skin look dry, flaky, and cakey, which is the opposite of the glowing, fresh complexion we aim for in winter. Opt for a lightweight, finely milled setting powder to lightly set your makeup without creating a matte finish. Press the powder lightly into your skin with a fluffy brush or makeup sponge, focusing only on areas that tend to get oily, like your T-zone. Pro Tip: Instead of using a heavy setting powder, try a translucent setting powder that’s hydrating. This provides the necessary finish without leaving your skin looking too dry.
17. Use a Tinted Moisturizer for a Lighter Look
Source @rarebeauty
On busy school mornings, you might want to keep things simple. A tinted moisturizer is a great option for providing light, breathable coverage while still giving your skin the hydration it needs. Choose a product with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, even during the winter months. Tinted moisturizers can be applied quickly, and they create a natural, glowing look without feeling heavy or cakey.
Pro Tip: If you want more coverage but still want the light texture of a tinted moisturizer, layer it with a hydrating concealer on areas that need extra coverage, such as around your eyes or on blemishes.
18. Create a Soft Smoky Eye
Source @makeupbyeiman
For school or special events, a soft smoky eye is a great way to add a little drama to your winter look without going overboard. Use rich, deep shades like dark browns, charcoal, and soft taupes to create a smoky effect that’s flattering on all eye shapes. Avoid going too bold with black or deep blues—these can look harsh in the winter months. Instead, opt for warmer, earthier tones that blend effortlessly into your natural makeup look.
Pro Tip: When creating a soft smoky eye, use a small, angled brush to apply the darker shades along the lash line, then blend the color upward for a seamless look.
19. Layer Products for Longevity
Source @Aasgulatimakeup
Winter weather can make your makeup wear off faster than usual, whether due to the dryness of the air or indoor heating. The secret to making your makeup last throughout a long day at school is layering. Start with a nourishing primer, followed by a hydrating foundation, and set your look with a translucent setting powder. Finish off with a hydrating setting spray to lock everything in place without making your skin feel tight or dry. Pro Tip: Use a setting spray throughout the day to refresh your makeup and add a little extra moisture if your skin starts to feel tight.
20. Invest in a Good Lip Scrub
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Chapped lips are a common winter issue, but a good lip scrub can help you maintain smooth, soft lips all season long. Lip scrubs exfoliate the skin on your lips, removing dry, flaky patches and allowing your lip balm or gloss to glide on smoothly. Look for a lip scrub with nourishing ingredients like sugar, honey, or oils, and use it once or twice a week to keep your lips in tip-top shape. Pro Tip: Follow up with a hydrating lip balm after exfoliating to lock in moisture and keep your lips soft and plump throughout the day.
21. Go for a Subtle Cat Eye
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For a touch of drama without being over-the-top, a subtle cat eye can give you an elegant, sharp look that’s perfect for both school and special events. Use a liquid eyeliner to create a thin line along your upper lash line, extending it slightly at the outer corner to create a soft flick. Keep the rest of your makeup neutral to let your cat eye shine, and opt for brown eyeliner if you want a softer, more natural effect. Pro Tip: If you’re new to cat eyes, use a pencil liner to sketch out the shape before going over it with liquid eyeliner for a more defined look.
22. Perfect Your Winter Skin Tone
Source @emgraymakeup
Winter is the time to reassess your foundation shade, as your skin tone might be lighter than in the summer months. Test your foundation in natural light to ensure that it matches your winter skin tone. Choose a shade that is one or two shades lighter than your summer foundation, and opt for formulas with a yellow or neutral undertone to help brighten your complexion. Pro Tip: Consider using a foundation mixer to adjust the shade of your summer foundation for winter. A few drops of a lighter tone will help you achieve the perfect match.
23. Try a Moisturizing Setting Powder
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Just because you use setting powder doesn’t mean your skin has to look dry. Moisturizing setting powders are designed to lock your makeup in place while keeping your skin hydrated. These powders typically contain added skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E, which help retain moisture throughout the day. They work great for preventing the cakey look that can happen when powders dry out your skin in the winter months. Pro Tip: Use a fluffy brush to lightly apply setting powder to the areas of your face that tend to get oily, like your T-zone, but avoid over-powdering to maintain a natural, glowing finish.
24. Winter-Proof Your Makeup Bag
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As temperatures drop, your makeup bag might need some adjustments to ensure your products stay in tip-top shape. Cold temperatures can cause some products to freeze or become too thick, so make sure to keep your makeup bag stocked with items that can withstand the winter chill. Lip balms, cream blushes, and hydrating foundations are all great items to keep on hand for easy touch-ups. Pro Tip: Keep your makeup bag in a warm place, like your backpack, and avoid leaving it in your car, where it can get too cold and affect the consistency of your products.
25. Have Fun with Sparkles
Source @my.style.zone
Winter is the perfect season to experiment with a little sparkle! Whether you’re heading to a holiday party or a special event, or just want to brighten up your look, adding a touch of shimmer or glitter can make your makeup pop. Apply a shimmering eyeshadow on your lids, or add a little sparkle to your highlighter for a glowing, festive effect. Pro Tip: Stick to fine glitter to avoid any mess or fallout, and use a setting spray to lock your sparkles in place throughout the day.
