Now that the holiday festivities have faded, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. But don’t let the cold weather dampen your spirits (or your makeup game)! Winter is the perfect time to unleash your inner artist and experiment with bold, beautiful looks.
As J. Brandon Correa, national makeup artist for YSL Beauté, puts it, “Winter beauty is all about playing with textures and making a statement.” So, let’s dive into the hottest winter makeup trends and discover how to create stunning looks that will brighten even the darkest days.
BOLD LIPS
If your winter wardrobe leans heavily on black and gray (guilty as charged), elevate your look with a pop of color on your lips. “A bold lip is a fantastic way to stand out during the winter, when fashion and weather often feel more subdued,” says Lobell. “Bright lips are perfect for the season, as they create a striking contrast against the pale or dull skin tones many experience in colder months. This contrast can enhance the complexion and bring a fresh, lively energy to your appearance.” Think crimson, deep berry, or vibrant Barbie fuchsia, paired with subtle, minimal makeup. “It’s a bold yet refined look, perfect for making a strong style statement during winter.”
SNOWLIT SHINE
Minimal makeup doesn’t have to be dull; it can dazzle just as much as a full face of blush, contour, and liner. “This trend allows your skin to ‘rest’ from heavy makeup routines,” says Correa. “It’s perfect for this season because it combines a snowy, luminous vibe with a radiant glow.” Inspired by the way sunlight reflects off snow, Correa brings that same shimmering brightness to the face. “Think clean, minimalist skin, translucent sparkles on the eyes, full lashes, and glowing lips.”
Since this look emphasizes glowing skin, Correa suggests using the YSL Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen to conceal and brighten. Skip the contour and bronzer, focusing instead on your eyes by adding a shimmery topper to the center of the lids. “You can either do a light eye contour or let the shimmer stand on its own,” he says. Complete the look with mascara and a sheer, plumping lip balm like Candy Glaze.
STATEMENT EYELINER
Jillian Dempsey, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Jillian Dempsey, was recently inspired by the UK’s colder weather and bold color palettes. One standout trend she noticed was statement eyeliner. “Eyes are big this winter. Expect eyeliners to make a major statement,” she shares. “The power of this look comes from lining both the upper and lower lids and creating a shape that suits your eyes.” Dempsey favors shades like blackberry, muted black, and deep mahogany for a fresh twist on classic browns and blacks. Think thick wings, waterlining, and exaggerated cat eyes—anything goes. “My Flyk Trick Mascara doubles as a 2-in-1 mascara and liquid liner, perfect for crafting your bold, personalized eyeliner look to match your winter plans,” says Dempsey.
JEWEL TONED EYES
If frosty finishes aren’t your style, opt for rich, vibrant jewel tones instead. Shades like sapphire, emerald, and ruby complement the icy whites and grays of your winter wardrobe beautifully. “I’m seeing a lot of brands pairing their burgundy collections with emerald and midnight blue mascaras and eyeliners,” says Spickard. “It’s a fun and easy way to add some variety to your makeup during these dark, cold months.” He recommends Lancôme’s colored mascaras, especially the emerald green Noir Malachite, for a subtle pop of unexpected color. For the lids, try the Pat McGrath Dark Star Eye Duo, which Spickard describes as “an opulent blue sapphire shimmer.” Add a gloss topper over the shadow to really enhance the sparkle and make the look shine.
DEWY GOLD
Feeling the winter chill? Warm up your look with glowing shades of gold. “Gold tones bring much-needed warmth to the skin, which can often appear dull in winter due to the lack of sunlight,” says Lobell. “The dewy finish of this trend helps counter the dryness that comes with cold weather, giving your skin a hydrated, healthy glow.” Even if you’re not escaping to a tropical paradise, your makeup can make you feel like you are.
“Think warm, golden hues that create a radiant, sun-kissed glow,” Lobell explains. “This look focuses on dewy skin, using gold-toned highlighters and eyeshadows to enhance your natural luminosity. Be the glowing goddess you’re meant to be.” Her recommendations include Neen’s Pretty Shiny Cream Highlighter in Metta for the cheekbones, and Pretty Shady Pressed Pigments in Flash, Fade, and Faint—gold and rose gold shades that shimmer beautifully on the eyes. Complete the look with a brown or nude lip for a perfect finish.
SOFT OMBRÉ LIPS
The ombré lip look has been making waves on TikTok this season, and Carolina Gonzalez, celebrity makeup artist and Armani Beauty Collective member, is a fan of a soft, diffused version that’s easy to achieve with a bit of practice. “Start with the deepest color in the inner part of the lip, then blend it out toward the edges,” she explains. “I love this look because it’s dreamy and gives the lips a full appearance.”
Gonzalez suggests beginning with Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Long-Lasting Matte Lipstick in shade 407. “Pucker your lips and apply the lipstick generously to the center of both the top and bottom lips using the bullet-tip. Then, use a small brush to blend the outer edges slightly beyond the lip line.” For extra drama, add Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Glow Blush in shade 61—a raspberry pink—to the outer lips up to the lip line with a full crease brush. “Avoid touching the inner part where the color is dense,” Gonzalez advises. “This silk powder blush adds a velvet-like finish and makes the lips appear fuller and fluffier.”
PINK FROST
If you embraced the TikTok “I’m cold” blush trend last year, you’ll love this 2024 update. “This trend takes the ‘cold girl’ look to the next level by adding black to define shape and structure,” explains Correa. Start by prepping your skin with foundation, concealer, and contour. Next, apply YSL’s Nu Lip and Cheek Balmy Tint in NuChills to your cheeks for a translucent, balmy finish. Dab any leftover product on the tip of your nose for that frostbitten “just came in from the cold” effect.
For your eyes, Correa suggests using YSL’s Couture Mini Clutch palette in Babylone Roses. “Blend the midtone shade to contour your eye shape, apply the midtone shimmer on the lid, and add depth with the deepest shade along the upper and lower lash lines,” he advises. “Finish with a touch of the topper shade from the top left in the inner corners for an icy pop.” Complete the look with mascara and liner, and finish with a combination of the Balmy Tint and Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick in Sweet Pink.
MOOD MAKEUP
Donni Davy, co-founder of Half Magic and head makeup artist for Euphoria, uses makeup to create her own winter mood despite living in California’s year-round sun. “A dark lip instantly transforms me into a sort of witchier version of myself, and adding sparkle to my eyes brings a joyful balance to the look,” she says. “It’s fun to embrace a darker, more introspective vibe during the winter.”
Her “joyfully moody” look features dewy skin, glittery eyes with plenty of mascara, and a vampy dark lip. To achieve this, Davy recommends using Half-Magic’s Glitterpill Eye Paint + Liner in Holy Goldie or Microcosm for the “perfect winter sparkles.” Apply these on bare lids for a snowy effect, then layer on the Eyelectric Extreme Lengthening Mascara to highlight the sparkle. For the lips, Davy favors the Mouth Cloud Soft Matte Lip Cream in Edward’s Fantasy, enhancing the shade with Sculptitude 2-in-1 Longwear Lip Liner in Sugar Plum B*itch.
LADY IN RED
Whether it’s in your wardrobe, accessories, or makeup bag, red remains the top accent color for 2024, especially leading up to Valentine’s Day. Swap out your usual lip gloss for a bold, vibrant red lipstick. “Now is the perfect time to opt for a kissable red,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard. He highlights Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl in Red Hot as a standout choice, known for its high shine and warm tone. “It has a vibrant hue and stays put once it dries, giving you long-lasting shine,” he explains. Another favorite of Spickard’s is the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Chili Pepper, a matte red-orange that provides all-day wear.
FROSTY FACE
For makeup inspiration this season, look outside your window and get creative with textures and colors reminiscent of frosty winter mornings. “It’s cold and frosty outside, so embracing themes like snow, ice, and sparkles is perfect,” says Jeanine Lobell, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Neen. “This trend is all about capturing the cool, crisp tones of winter, with icy colors like silvers, pale blues, and frosty pinks.”
The Frosty Face look centers around highlighter, with Lobell recommending her Neen Pretty Shiny Cream Highlighter in the aptly named Frosty shade. For cheeks, aim for a “post-blizzard glow” reminiscent of the TikTok “I’m cold” trend—Lobell favors her Get it All Done Cream Cheek & Lip for this effect. “A vibrant pink will give you that ‘caught in a storm’ look,” she says. Add a frosty touch to your eyes with the Side Eye Liner in Minty and finish with Neen’s Glisten Up Lip Gloss in Bye, a shimmering pink, for a perfect winter finish.
