As with all changes in season, the oncoming winter has us reassessing our beauty routines.
Making skin care switches and stocking up on the best body scrubs and body oils to keep dry limbs at bay is smart, but having some winter makeup know-how up your sleeve will also help on those chilly early mornings.
So from the trends to embrace to how to keep your face looking (and feeling) tip top, here are four makeup tips that’ll serve you well through winter.
#1 Pick a hybrid base
Whether your entire complexion becomes drier in winter or you only suffer from the usual dry patch suspects (thanks nose), the point is most of us require an extra layer of comfort and protection to safeguard from the dip in temperature. Using a base product with in-built skin care benefits will help keep skin hydrated and provide nourishment where it’s needed. Plus, they’re a cinch to apply and blend, so you can spend longer under your cosy covers in the morning.
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream is a cult-favourite and pretty unbeatable, but the Chi Chi Super CC Cream also scored 4.5 stars and is half the price.
Or if you’ve been keen to give a serum foundation a go, we’re also fans of Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 and Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Skincaring Foundation.
#2 Add some natural warmth
Even if you’re a dedicated SPF and hat-wearer year-round, a lot of us still experience a loss of glow in the face as the sun goes into hiding. No matter your skin tone, this can create a wash of dullness that makes your morning face look more rundown than usual.
Rather than trying to rectify the problem with added coverage, we recommend trying some tanning drops. They can easily be added to your moisturiser each morning for an all-over uplift (of which you control the depth) that’ll mean you don’t have to double-down on foundation and concealer. And as an added bonus, the wash of warmth will also help to keep you in the same shade range as your summer base products.
Bondi Sands Pure Self Tanning Drops are great for mixing with your everyday moisturiser (Olay Regenerist Whip makes a great partner) or if your more of an face oil fan, Fitcover There She Glows Self-Tan Drops will work seamlessly with your dropper of choice.
#3 Be brave with blush
Amp up the blush in winter, we say. When else is the frost-bitten look going to work so well? It may sound a little wacky but once you’re done with your cheeks, try bringing the excess rouge left on your fingers or brush across the bridge of your nose for a flushed and fresh look.
Cream and liquid formulas work best for this technique to provide a skin-like blend. We love the ease of a stick like Natio Cream Blush – Dusk or a cream to powder pot like Yves Saint Laurent Crème De Blush.
#4 Let your lips do the talking
While summer is made for on-the-go tinted balms, winter is when rich lip colours can really shine. Less sweat, less chance for smudge.
The only downer? Cracked lips. So before you go in with your colour, always apply a layer of protective lip balm like Rodan + Fields ESSENTIALS Lip Shield SPF 15 first.
In fact, make it the first step of your routine so it can settle in before you get to creating your statement pout.
We love a wine red and deep berry equally in winter – just be sure when playing with such a level of pigment that you create a crisp shape with a matching or invisible liner (like the Bourjois Miraculous Contour Universal Lip Liner + Primer).
Some of our favourite wintery shades? Revlon Super Lustrous™ The Luscious Mattes in ‘Black Cherry’ and NYX Professional Makeup Powder Puff Lippie in ‘Group Love’.
Main image credit: Getty
How do you like to wear your makeup in winter?
I like a bright creamy cheek with illuminated skin and a punchy lip shade. Like the look of that Natio cream blush stick and the NYX Powder Puff lip I’m yet to try. I love the shades shown.
My complexion always looks its best in winter – in summer, I’m always red, sweaty & p—ed off. I usually love bold burgundy lips in winter, but I haven’t worn lipstick in over a year because I wear a mask every time I go out. Middle finger to you, COVID!
I’ve actually been wearing less make up lately. Probably need to make more of an effort.
Less makeup here too. Less going out so less need for heavy makeup.
I love how minimal this is.
I have used the Olay Whip, and I really enjoyed it. I got it as a prize from Beautyheaven. I usually use Kiehl’s, but I’d definitely consider using the Olay again. Thanks Beautyheaven!
Have been wearing less makeup these past 12 months thanks to lockdowns. I do like wearing a heavier tint in winter as I can look washed out. I like lighter makeup in summer.
So intrigued about the serum foundation had never heard of it until I read the reviews for the Clinique one. So want to try it!!
Great Tips for the Winter seasons!
I have that natio blush stick…. tis a good blush stick. Lovely colour
I’ve never thought of adding tanning products to moisturiser. I don’t self tan but it seems I keep getting these products in goody bags do now I’ve found a way to use them up! Thanks again BH. And I love Olay Whip.
I don’t think I’ve ever used a cream blush, it’s always been powder.
I must start playing more with my makeup, I’m usually lazy and wear little to none but I have heaps. I like a darker lip (my lips are quite dark anyway) so winter is good for that.
Some great tips here – I like the idea of a little self tanning in the moisturiser too and one I will try
I love a foundation (if I wear one) to have atleast some SPF on offer – I like to double it up with spf and have some in my moisturiser underneath too. That way I can be pretty sure I’m protected from blue rays/sun rays. I also love to use spf in any lip products I use if possible!
I have loved the effect when I have done a bit of fake tan on my face. It was great because I woke up looking like I already had foundation on!
Now that im working I tend to use a BB Cream but I still use colour for my eyes and lips. Im using a bolder lip for Winter but thats about it.
I love Priyanka Chopra’s look , especially the eyeliner , so pretty.
Great tips here, good article.
I tend to change my skincare and make-up in winter, adding more hydration and oils and using stronger colours.
I love experimenting with winter colours. Great article.
Love that blush
Good information
Always simple as all year same. Never use blush, looks unnatural on me as I don’t blush.
that chi chi cc cream is soooo good i like it better than the it cosmetics
Great thanks -Good to know
I change up my skincare a bit in winter, but generally not my makeup. I am however becoming a big fan of cream blush these days & would like to try a few more of them.
I really only wear it when I go to work, don’t retouch it during the day either. Mum always wears makeup even if she’s at home for the day. Sometimes I think I’m being too lazy and should make an effort to put some on.
I must admit I don’t really change my routine with the seasons.
Good article. Did not realise that you should change your makeup or skin care routine in the different seasons. Good ideas to know
I love a much stronger lipstick colour in winter – A warm red particularly
I change my skincare routine but not my makeup
Rodan and Fields will never be part of my routine, it wouldn’t matter how good their product was. The brand disgraced itself some time ago before it joined BH and the experience will forever refuse to allow me to be involved in any of their products.
Not too much make up and yet the outcome is beautiful.
I need to try that Clinique Foundation.