The season may bring festive gatherings and cozy nights, but it can also leave our skin dull and our makeup less than perfect. Whether you want to glow at a holiday party or maintain a polished look during everyday life, mastering the right winter makeup essentials is key.
My name is Kim Bean, I'm a professional hair and makeup artist who works in film and television. I also do hair and makeup for weddings, fashion and commercials. In this guide, I will share my top winter makeup must-haves to ensure you shine through the season.
1. Hydrating Primer
Winter air can be extremely drying, leading to flaky skin and uneven makeup application. A hydrating primer is essential in your winter makeup bag. Look for products that contain ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water, providing the hydration your skin craves.
A quality primer creates a smooth base for your foundation and helps maintain moisture throughout the day. I'm not a huge fan of silicone primers. It's a personal preference. Use what works for you!
This will prevent your makeup from clinging to dry patches, offering a flawless, professional finish vital for any look. I love the primers from Milk Makeup
I like to apply primer with a foundation brush so I don't lose product through absorption into a sponge.
2. Full-Coverage Foundation
With winter's chill comes the potential for uneven skin tones and visible imperfections. A full-coverage foundation can help create a uniform look. Choose foundations that not only offer coverage but also hydrate the skin. For instance, formulas with glycerin or vitamins E and C can nourish while hiding blemishes.
Opt for a matte finish to reduce shine yet maintain a radiant glow. This combination will keep your complexion looking vibrant throughout long winter days and special nights out, ensuring you look your best from morning to night.
One of my favourites is the NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Full Coverage Foundation. It has up to 16 hours of lightweight, natural, fade-resistant wear and photographs beautifully. I've applied it without primer many times- it didn't need one.
When I create a makeup look, I begin where more coverage is needed (typically in the center of the face) and work outwards. I use a light hand to create thin layers of coverage. If you use too much of this formula, the makeup can end up looking dry or wrinkled, even if you're 20 years old.
If you have scarring, be mindful of how much product you use. Too much will enhance texture.
If you have oily skin, apply a light powder using a fluffy brush through your T-zone afterwards.
If you have peach fuzz on your face do not powder in those areas.
I also LOVE Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin™ Luminous Hydrating Foundation. It's super breathable if you don't want to feel like you have makeup on or if you tend to sweat from your face.
There is a low percentage of skin tone-enhancing pearl powder in the formula that lends to the naturally luminous finish but it's undetectable on the skin.
If you want a sheer finish from this formula, I'd apply it with clean fingertips rather than a brush or sponge.
3. Cream Blush
The winter months can make our skin look lifeless, but a touch of cream blush can breathe life back into your face. Cream formulas provide a dewy finish that mimics a natural flush. Shades like peach or rosy pink work wonders to brighten a complexion. Cream blush is often more forgiving on dry skin compared to powder products, allowing for a quick and effortless touch-up anytime you need it.
I love the Fitglow Beauty Cream Palettes because they can double as a lip tint, bronzer, contour or even eyeshadow depending on which palette you choose.
Fitglow Beauty was founded by Ana Buss, a Canadian with a passion for health and fitness. Suffering from ultra-sensitive rosacea herself, she was constantly on the lookout for the right product for her skin. Her product range now includes skin care products such as rich moisturizers, gentle oils, and cleansing lotions that are plant-based.
For application, I like to use a damp beauty blender. You can also use your fingers to blend as long as your hands are clean.
4. Setting Spray
Once your makeup is complete, don’t forget to use a setting spray. This product is essential for ensuring that your look stays intact amid winter conditions. Opt for a setting spray that also provides hydration; it can lock in moisture and help your makeup endure cold winds and indoor heat.
Using a setting spray elevates your overall makeup routine, allowing for a finish that lasts all day. This extra step is particularly important for winter events where you'll want your look to remain flawless.
5. Hydrating Lip Balm
Chapped lips are a common winter complaint, making a hydrating lip balm an essential item in your makeup kit. Look for balms with nourishing ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil. These ingredients will keep your lips hydrated and soft throughout the day and the product you use doesn't have to be expensive. My favourite drugstore lip balm is the Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick
For a splash of colour, opt for a tinted lip balm. This way, your lips will not only feel great but also look fresh, regardless of the outdoor chill.
Ingredients such as castor seed oil, shea butter, and ceramides, to name a few, are recommended by dermatologists to help heal chapped lips and seal in moisture.
Avoid ingredients like phenol, salicylic acid, and menthol, as all can make your lips drier.
These ingredients can also be irritating and cause the skin on the lips to peel.
6. Eye Makeup Essentials
During winter, don't shy away from playful, rich colours for your eyes! A versatile eyeshadow palette featuring earthy tones, rich greens, and warm browns can create stunning seasonal looks.
In addition, a high-quality mascara that enhances your lashes, making your eyes the focal point of your makeup, is essential.
Many people have allergies, so I use a vegan semi-waterproof formula for weddings, special events, fashion shows and films.
Reinforced staying power is crucial, especially on snowy or rainy days when you want to maintain your stunning look.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option my current favourite is the L'oreal Panorama Mascara in "Blackest Black".
7. Highlighter
A shimmer can brighten even the cloudiest winter days. I recommend using a cream highlighter that easily blends onto high points of your face, including cheekbones, brow bones, and collarbones. This technique adds a luminous quality that can revitalize your winter look.
My current favourite is from Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in "Nectar". It has a very light texture and isn't sticky.
I only use highlighters that make people look luminous.
If you use too much or apply highlighter in the wrong
places on the face you can make yourself look sweaty.
I like to apply highlighter on the tops of cheekbones, brow bones and the cupid's bow.
A well-placed highlighter not only elevates your makeup but also gives you that coveted glow, making you feel radiant even in the winter chill.
It can be worn over or under a foundation.
8. Powder
If you experience oiliness in winter, a good setting powder is necessary. Select a translucent powder that mattifies without looking cakey.
Applying it only to areas prone to shine will maintain a fresh and youthful appearance all day.
The best ones I've found yet are an investment.
I like the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder--- and almost all of the setting powders that Chanel make.
Combining hydrating products with mattifying ones creates a balanced and effective winter makeup routine. This strategy allows for a seamless integration of textures, ensuring your skin looks fabulous without feeling overdone.
Ready to Shine this Winter?
With these winter makeup essentials, you can confidently face any occasion. From hydrating primers to cream blushes and shimmers, each item plays a crucial role in keeping your skin healthy while enhancing your natural beauty.
Winter makeup does not have to mean dull or drab. Instead, take this opportunity to add color and warmth to your routine. Enjoy the season's spirit, whether you're at a winter gathering or relaxing by a fireplace. Embrace your style, stay hydrated, and have fun experimenting with your winter makeup looks!
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