Makeup for Winter
The Coolest Winter Makeup Looks to Try This Year
With an endless slog of chilly weather right around the corner, at least there’s one thing to look forward to: winter
makeup looks. While spring and summer are all about light-as-air makeup, the dropping temps call for looks that
up the drama and feel a little more substantial, like your favorite sweater. And if the pandemic has streamlined
your daily makeup routine, the upcoming holiday season (no
matter how you’re celebrating this year) will give you at least a
few excuses to bust out the glittery palettes and dark lipsticks that
have been collecting dust in your vanity.
Dramatic doesn’t mean predictable though, and this year’s winter
makeup trends are anything but. Sure, there are your staple
winter makeup ideas—like red lips and crisp liner—but there’s
also an array of more unexpected options including Y2K-inspired
shadow and Popsicle stains.
We rounded up all the cool winter makeup looks we’ve been
saving since May and broke down exactly how to recreate them
at home. Scroll on for all the winter makeup ideas you could ever
need.
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Frosty Inner Corners
Spice up your go-to cat eye with a pop of baby blue (or your pastel of choice) in the inner corners. Not only does
it brighten up your eyes, it’s a super-easy way to wear color that doesn’t feel intimidating. For even more
dimension, use a deeper version of the shade for your liner (for a take on this look, try Violette FR’s Yeux Paint in
Bleu de Minuit for the liner, and NYX Vivid Brights Crème Color in Endless Skies on the inner corner).
Soft Liner
● When it comes to eye-makeup trends, 2021 has been all about subtler takes on the wing. One of our
favorite takes on the trend is swapping your classic black liner for a warm brown like MAC Technakohl
Eyeliner in Brown Border. Not only is it softer, it adds a touch of warmth that we could all use this time of
year. Try a liner with subtle purple or burgundy tones like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillowtalk for even more
warmth and a pop of color.
Golden Shimmer
While your instinct may be to go for cooler tones in cooler weather, a wash of golden shadow is a pretty reminder
of sunny days to come. Peachy blush, champagne highlighter, and a pinky nude lip complete the look (giant pearl
necklace optional).
● Rosy Flush
● If your cheeks naturally flush when you come in from the cold, play it up with loads of pink blush to look
just like a Christmas rom-com protagonist. The trick to a realistic “cold cheek” is a pink shade with cool
undertones, like NARS Blush in Thrill.
Classic Smoke
Nothing goes with a LBD (or big black sweater) like a classic smokey eye. Shimmer shadows focused on the
lid—not under your eyes—keeps things feeling modern, as does minimal makeup elsewhere.
Two-Tone Eyes
Why settle for one shade when two is twice as nice? For a crazy simple winter makeup look that packs a punch,
use your first shade (green in this case) to line your inner corners and the outer third of your undereye—keeping
the middle open gives you a more wide-eyed effect. Then pat your second shade across your lid. We love Huda
Beauty’s Obsessions Palettes for super-bright complimentary colors.
Coral Flush
Missing hot summer nights? Add some serious warmth back into your look with Popsicle-stained lips—Dior’s Lip
Tattoo in Natural Red is perfect for this, or dab on your favorite shade with your finger for a diffused effect. For an
extra flush and some subtle definition, sweep some coral blush like Makeup By Mario’s Creamy Peach high
across your cheekbones.
Blue Shadow
For a cool take on the blue eyeshadow of your youth, use a baby
blue shadow on your lid, and line with a darker shade of blue.
Keeping things matte, not frosty, keeps it from feeling like Y2K
cosplay.
Kitten Eyeliner
What makeup artists are calling the kitten eye—a subtler and
daintier version of the classic cat eye—is the coolest way to wear
liner at the moment. “Smaller lines are starting to be a trend
because they are easier to execute,” says celebrity makeup artist
Tarryn Feldman. “I also feel that people want a cleaner eyeliner
look, and because the kitten eye requires less liner, it can be
cleaner and easier to do.” The technique is pretty simple, especially if you already have a classic cat eye down
pat. The main difference is to start your liner in the center of your eye instead of tracing all the way from the inner
corner. Then use short, thin strokes to draw along your lash line, and give it a tiny flick at the end for a subtle
wing.
Major Wing
On the other hand, a major occasion calls for a major wing. All you need is a trusty black eyeliner (we have
several favorites) and some patience. Move slowly, and keep pointed cotton swabs and some micellar water on
hand to clean up any mistakes.
Classic Red
A classic red lip will get you through every holiday party on your list and beyond. When going with a shade this
bold, it’s key to properly prep your lips, especially in winter. Get rid of any flakes with a lip scrub, and then apply a
thick balm while you do the rest of your makeup. When it’s time for lips, wipe away the balm and apply your red
with a lip brush for the crispest lines possible.
Purple Smoke
While blue shadow is clearly having a moment, shades of purple are also emerging as a major trend for this
winter. We love this rendition of MJ Rodriguez, which is somewhere between a graphic eye and a smokey one. If
you’re worried about the shade being too dark, tap a little silver or pearl shimmer in your inner corners to catch
the light.
Sunset Tones
For a more natural winter makeup look, stick to tones found in, well, nature. A kiss of warm bronze shadow
(makeup artist Emily Cheng used Hourglass’s new single shadows on Georgia May Jagger) and a slick of clear
gloss are all you need to look polished
