10 Gorgeous Winter Makeup Looks to Try This Season

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Don’t let the cold stop you from getting dolled up and hitting a night on the town with your girls. Yes, it’s freezing, and yes, your skin is probably drier than the Sahara desert, but it’s nothing a heavy winter coat, tights, a thick moisturizer, and a glowy, gorgeous makeup look can’t fix.

Unlike the sweltering summer months, the winter calls for more hydration to the skin. You’ll notice that folks like to wear a bit more makeup in the winter months, as walking around with heavy foundation and other makeup products on your face during hot, humid summer months is never really fun.

Below, we’ve interviewed three different makeup artists for their favorite winter makeup looks this season. From your classic bold red lip look (a la Taylor Swift), to a more unexpected, super dewy and glossy makeup look, you’ll find 10 inspirational ideas for your next night out.

Winter Glow

This hydrated, glowing skin look is perfect for those super dry, winter months, when your face needs a bit of a boost. To achieve this makeup look, first prep your skin. Carly Giglio, a celebrity makeup artist, recommends starting with a hydrating serum like Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum and follow with a rich moisturizer like Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer.

“Next, choose something with added radiance to apply under your foundation to give that effortless ‘lit-from-within’ glow—I like to use Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter,” explains Giglio. “I apply this to the under eyes (to give a brightening effect), onto the cheeks, bridge of the nose and the brow bones.”

Ruby Red Lips

“To me a red lip just screams holiday—it’s festive!,” explains celebrity makeup artist Deanna Paley. “You can do it day or night and just adjust the rest of your face makeup accordingly.”

To nail this look, Paley recommends prepping your lips before creating a statement lip. She starts with the COSRX Lip Scrub, followed by the Bigger Than Beauty Skincare Pout Hero Liquid Balm Lip Treatment. “Once I know my lips are in perfect shape, it’s time for color,” she explains. “I like to overline my lips to give them that extra oomph.” Paley recommends filling in your lips all over with the liner, then choose a complimentary, comfortable and long-wear lipstick shade to go with it. Paley likes the Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner because it’s easy to use and has a built-in sharpener, so she can get that precise line every time. The Maurjon shade is the perfect red that can actually go under multiple shades of lipstick.

“My go-to red lipstick is the Cle De Peau Beaute Rouge A Levres Lipstick in Legend of Rouge,” says Paley. “I also like a strong brow to go with a red lip look, so I always top them off with Milk Makeup’s Kush Brow Lamination Gel.”

Vampy

“This look is so fabulous and understated at the same time,” explains Yetty Bames, a makeup artist, brow specialist, and stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon. “Her vampy dark lip is a focal point, while her makeup is dewy and monotone and makes great for a relaxed party look.”

For this look, you’ll need to apply your foundation and concealer to any red areas, imperfections, or undereye circles. Bames recommends the KVD Beauty Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Serum Foundation and the Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer. Next, you’ll want to contour the hollows of your cheeks, around your hairline, down the bridge of your nose, and along your jawline with the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder in a shade darker than your natural skin tone.

After you’ve contoured, Bames recommends adding a NARS Highlighting Powder in Albatross onto your cheekbones. Use the NYX Control Freak Clear Eyebrow Gel to brush up your brows, and the Dior Diorshow 24h Buildable Volume Mascara for added oomph to your eyes. Finally, add the star of the show to your lips using the Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Color Beautifying Lipstick in a deep shade.

Frosted Eyes

This look is all about shimmering, "frosty" looking eyes. The eye makeup isn't overpowering, but it's this glistening, wet look to the eyes, almost like snow. GigIio recommends priming the eyes with something that has a tint to even out the eyelid color first. “By doing this, you're also priming to extend the wear of the shadow—you can use a neutral to your skin tone creamy eyeshadow to achieve this too, like the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow.

For the eyeshadow look, Giglio’s go-to palette is the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Palette.  “There's a reason this eyeshadow palette was sold out,” explains Giglio. “For this pinky ice tone, apply the pink matte shade first from the lash line, diffusing up toward the crease. Then, I use my finger to press on the pink metallic shade onto the eyelid.” Using fingertips gives a more intense payoff. These shimmers in this palette give the perfect amount of shine and gloss effect, without the mess of eye gloss.

If you want to add a little definition at the lash lines, Giglio recommends using a small brush and one of the deeper shades. “Don't go too dark, as you don't want to take away from the frosted finish,” she says. Finally, you can finish off the look with a mascara that gives the lashes lift to open the eyes, like the Arbonne Elevate Mascara.

Monochrome Mami

“I often find myself dressing in monochrome shades in the winter, so it only makes sense to match my makeup to that vibe,” says Paley. “I love going with neutrals and light pinks for this, so that I look awake and glowing even in the winter dreariness.”

Paley notes that this look is all about the base, and your skin needs to be on point to make this look work. She uses the COSRX Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water to start because it’s super gentle and hydrating, great for sensitive skin, and will not cause any irritation. “Bigger Than Beauty Skincare has a great Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream that is also super brightening,” says Paley. “Then I like to use a primer that leaves my skin extra dewy so I can decide how much makeup I really need on top of that to finish my look.”

Paley likes to use the Hourglass Cosmetics Vanish Airbrush Concealer in Dune and Fawn to help conceal any dark spots, as well as the Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Face Brightener Illuminating Primer. “After that, pick your color palette and go from there,” she suggests. “I like to use the same shade of a family of pinks or nudes on eyes, lips and cheeks.” Paley really loves the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes because they make your skin look amazing, no matter what shade you choose. Finally, Paley recommends setting your face with a setting powder, like HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder. 

Bronzy Babe

This bronzy, blushy, dewy look is simply beautiful, and can honestly be worn throughout the year. “I especially love to see a dewy face during the winter months, as it stands out more than a matte face and the wearer looks soft and ageless,” says Bames.

For this look, you’ll want to make sure your skin is super hydrated and not dry or flakey. Bames like to use the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation as they base, with the Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer to cover up imperfections.

Next, you can apply a neutral eyeshadow color—Bames likes the options from Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Sticks. You can add the Morphe 2 Gloss Pop Face & Eye Gloss over your eyelids, eyebrow bones, and inner corners of the eyes.

Bames likes to apply false lashes for this look, like the Kiss Looks So Natural Lash Shy, as well as the Morphe Definer Dual-Ended Brow Pencil & Spoolie. For the rest of the face, you can apply the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks, as well as the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter.

To finish off the look, you can move onto the lips. Bames likes to line the lips with the Morphe Cosmetics Lip Pencil, and fill in with the Dripglass Drenched High Pigment Lip Gloss.

Smokey Cat Eye

This is a variation of a classic cat eye, and it’s ideal for those cooler, sultry winter nights.

First, you need to grab your favorite eye pencil and a small flat brush. “I call this technique my ‘sketch & stretch!,’” explains Giglio. “My top eyeliner pick is the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner pencils—they're creamy, so they glide on and allow you to work the product on the eye, but then stay on well.” They're rich in color and have a variety of shade options. It’s best to choose a shade that enhances your eye color or opt for classic black or brown.

Next, you will sketch on the cat eye shape best for your eye shape. A little trip from Giglio: draw the wing first, with eyes open looking straight ahead. “You'll be able to see the eye shape best that way and how the line will sit when eyes are open,” she explains. “The line doesn't have to be perfect, as you'll use your brush to stretch the line and smooth it into the perfect shape. Use a flat brush shape/size like the Katie Jane Hughes x Spectrum Brush #20.”

If you need to clean up a bit, grab some pointed mini cotton buds and micellar water like Bioderma to clean up and perfect the shape. Finish with a mascara that will really intensify your lashes, like the Esum The Mascara for full volume.

Glitter Girly

Nothing brightens up a winter makeup look and lifts spirits quite like a bright and sparkly eye. To start, make sure you’re working with a great skincare routine—eye cream is important. “The COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream is a favorite because it’s lightweight, but super brightening and tightening,” says Paley. “Thrive Causemetics has great Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks that come in six shimmer shades, depending on what you’re going for (anything from a bright blue to bronze to cocoa).” If you want more glitter, you can top it off with your favorite brand. Paley loves the Dose of Colors eyeshadow palettes because they have some great shimmery, super pigmented shadows that are ideal for layering. Remember that if you’re going to do a dramatic glittery eye to keep lips and cheeks neutral.

Lots of Lash

Sometimes you want an impact but without all the fuss—pumping up your lashes goes a long way. To really accentuate your lashes, you first want to even out the eyelids with a matte or soft shimmer eyeshadow. “Choose a shade that isn't going to stand out from your natural skin tone,” explains Giglio. “I've been using the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks. They're easy to apply and stay on throughout the day.”

Next, line the inner rim of the eyes with a pencil. This will give the look of fullness at the roots of the lashes. Giglio likes the Westman Atelier Eye Love You Eye Pencils, as they're not too soft and they are precise, so you can keep the placement controlled.

Finish with multiple coats of mascara on the top and bottom lashes. “Try the Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara—it's full volume and you can keep layering without the flaking,” says Giglio. “Balance with a healthy-looking flush of blush on the cheek using Ciele Blush + Protect SPF 50 and press some onto the lips for a soft lip color.”

Popping Pout

This is a classic lip focus, but not your classic red. According to Giglio, brights don't have to be just for the summer! For this look, the lip is the focus, so you want to make sure the lips are prepped properly before jumping into applying color. “Exfoliate using the Buxom Power-Full Lip Scrub, as it’s so easy to apply and wipe off and lips feel so smooth after,” explains Giglio.

Next, you’ll need to hydrate the lips with a nourishing balm, like Goldfaden MD Lip therapy. Allow lip balms to sit for a minute or two to soak in the hydration. After that, choose your lip color—Giglio loves the Haus Labs Le Monster Lip Crayon. “Choose a color to flatter your skin tone—one to try for this look is the shade Cerise Matte, an alternative to your classic red,” says Giglio. “This crayon has a great point to use as the lip liner, then use the side to fill the lips.” These glide on easily and sit well on the lips. Finally, balance out the look with a flush on the cheeks, so the look is cohesive.

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