Winter can rob us of many things, from gorgeous sunshine to our skin’s general ‘pep’. Once the cool season kicks in, our faces tend to give up on looking fresh, just the same way we tend to give up on exiting the house in anything but sweats.
And while nourishing skin care is a must for topping up those dwindling moisture stocks, making some makeup bag swaps is another clever way to counteract the effects of winter.
Long story short, tailoring your makeup look to the season is a must if you want to maintain hydration and look polished while doing it.
So, if like us you’re keen to look more ‘wintry chic’ than ‘lifeless zombie’, try swapping these winter makeup must-haves into your routine once the chill hits…
#1: A moisture-infused foundation
Sure, you’ve probably already layered on your favourite hydrating serum/moisturiser, but when winter hits, you need to supercharge your base with moisture as well. The Nude By Nature Moisture Infusion Foundation ($42.95 at Nude By Nature) is the perfect first step for your cool season makeup routine. It’s a beautifully buildable, medium coverage foundation that heroes hyaluronic acid for all-day hydration.
That all-day hydration happens to come with generous sides of plumpness and glow, too – big wins for winter. It’s brilliant for all skin types (because yes, everyone needs maximum moisture to combat the cold), and nixes the nasties commonly found in makeup. Basically, it’s everything your thirsty face needs to nab coverage and nourishment in one streamlined step.
#2: A silky matte bronzer
You may love shimmery bronzing formulas during summer, but for winter, you’ll want something that doesn’t drag over any dry areas and adds warmth and definition to the face without looking too overpowering. Sparkles are simply more noticeable and jarring when the sun isn’t glistening down upon them. Formula wise, we recommend a cream-to-powder option, so it bypasses the dreaded ‘powdery’ finish but won’t sink into skin and disappear during the day.
#3: An eye-awakening mascara
An extra five minutes in bed during winter is a real win, so a ‘one and done’ eye makeup buy will be your best friend once the icy mornings hit. A mascara is the obvious choice – Bambi lashes polish the face like nothing else – however, finding a formula that provides enough definition sans liner is tricky. Well, it was tricky – until you read this! Nude By Nature’s Awaken Lengthening Mascara ($29.95 at Nude By Nature) is the product for the job; it’s a buildable lengthening formula that visibly extends lashes, dialling up definition and darkness as it goes.
Lashes will be instantly lifted and longer-looking, and there won’t be any clumping or flaking involved! Take solace in the fact that this formula is safe for sensitive eyes, too – with no nasties (like coal tar, carbon black, or synthetic pigments), you won’t need to worry about watery eyes harshing your lash game.
#4: A glossy liquid highlighter
Another way you can add a bit of extra moisture and life into skin? Reaching for a liquid highlighter that also has skin care benefits. We advise favouring a ‘glossy, glazed’ style finish over anything with see-it-from-space sparkle. You obviously want your winter makeup to look fresh and hydrated, but anything too shimmery can look a touch OTT. Liquid highlighters tend to be powerfully pigmented, so a little will go a long way layered over cheekbones!
#5: A hydrating lip oil
Winter may seem like the season where you can finally pull out your fave burgundy lipstick (and if you feel so inclined, go for it), but skin is drier across the board, so your parched pout may struggle to pull off a statement shade properly. If you’re dealing with dehydrated lips or simply favour something a little more low-maintenance, a lip oil will help in all areas. Able to provide the perfect mix of colour, care and shine, a trusty lip oil (in your favourite shade from beige to berry) will polish your look, hydrate your lips, and only require touch-ups every few hours.
Main image credit: Getty Images
Will you be making any other makeup swaps for winter?
Not really, my makeup tends to stay the same year round
Me too. Don’t tend to change. Often don’t wear makeup.
I rarely wear make up as well
Same here. I don’t tend to wear makeup often, so I just stick to what I know & use. The only thing I change for the colder months is my skincare.
Hardly ever wear mu so no I won’t
I like the idea of a hydrating lip oil for winter
Yes I use them all year round.
Winter is my chance to upgrade my night cream to something thicker.
A richer face moisturizer.
That’s my major swap for winter
Lots more moisturizer in winter, as well as hand creams and chapsticks.
I don’t change my makeup for winter or any season
I do like to try different brands and products, but dont think about the seasons.
I usually just keep the same process going but with me having dry skin I should take more care in winter
I like the look of that mascara and also the lip oil
I like the sound of the lip oil too
I tend to use a thicker body moisturiser and more products to help with pigmentation, vitamin c. Maybe wear a darker lip colour. Probably use more lip balm too.
I am a bit inclined to just use up first what I have but I think you are wise
I don’t change my makeup, I don’t wear much to begin with. I make skincare changes mostly
Really helpful 🙂
My skin is always at its best in winter. I often go for bolder colours & love a burgundy lip!
I don’t change. My skin likes juicy skincare all year round. No makeup. Unless special occasion.
I love lips oils, would like to try a foundation with serum or added moisture.
I’m opting for swaps yeh – the air is starting to chill a bit already
I could do with a lip oil.
I’d love to try the Nude By Nature Moisture Infusion Foundation.
I’m already starting to feel the effects of the cooler weather. My lips are cracking and skin feels really dry. Moisturizers at the ready ….
I’ll be concentrating on skin care rather than makeup.
I change shades and consistency in colder weather.
I love that darker makeup is trendy in winter, a lot of dark cool toned lip colours, grungey eyes. I also have endless tubes of Carmex lipbalm and definitely need a thicker moisturiser. Everything just glides off my oily skin during summer.
I change my makeup every day haha
The NBN one looks lovely
Love these suggestions for winter if I’m wearing makeup, especially as it gets cooler and winter winds come along. My skin is often on the dry side.
My makeup is pretty much the same year round, though as I wear darker colors in winter I tend to use my darker lipsticks more often too.
No.5 is a good one. The colder air and any cold wind is not kind on the lips.
I use them all year around.
A lip oil could be worth trying
Does not change too much other than my skincare I tend to opt for a creamier cleanser. Makeup wise I do use more oils like lip oils and face oils or foundation with built in serum.
Great article thanks for the info
Great article
The only thing I change for seasons is the colour of foundation to match my tan.
A great read and yes swaps, with more nourishment and hydration.
I am one to have one set of products for summer and one for winter
I don’t tend to change my routine seasonally, I just stick with the same stuff all year more or less.
More hydrating lipsticks.
I was in the chemist today and saw the Nude by Nature new tinted moisturiser, and i thought i would see what the colour was like, well as i poured a little onto my hand, it was all oil and water, it was awful
Extra Moisturizing, for lips too, is a good idea in winter
Helpful tips, though I could probably use a hydrating foundation all year round.
Hydrating lip oils sounds good to have on winter months.
I am yet to try lip oils, not sure if i will like it.