20 dos and don’ts of autumn and winter makeup

Cooler temperatures, less humidity, plus dry indoor air all lead up to one thing: dehydration. As in dryer flakier skin and nails that are more brittle. And just as you swap out summer’s lighter sundresses and tank tops for warm, cosy jumpers, so too should you be trading your gel moisturiser for a creamier version.

We’ve polled some of the most trusted voices in beauty to give you a complete rundown of how to effectively change your beauty routine during the colder months. Read on for their autumn and winter makeup dos and don’ts.

You may equate waterproof mascara with a swim on a hot summer’s day, but Charlie Riddle, global beauty director and head of artistry for Stila Cosmetics advises that it’s equally important come autumn and winter. A waterproof formula is a must when your eyes tear up from the temperature and wind chill, he shares.

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When we think of winter beauty, we often neglect our cuticles, yet they take a beating during winter months when not paying attention to them can lead to painful hangnails and ruined manicures. Make it a habit to give them extra TLC when the temperatures drop. Applying a nourishing cuticle oil will only add on a few extra seconds to your beauty routine but it will pay you tenfold

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We love light chemical exfoliation during warmer months but dropping temperatures mean that applying them to our skin can cause extreme dryness. That being said, dead skin cells need to be regularly sloughed off so that you can maintain a healthy glow. In winter, gentle physical exfoliation with a face brush or a damp washcloth is best.

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Winter’s dry cold air strips the skin of the moisture it desperately needs. “The last thing you want is flaky, dry skin when applying makeup,” explains Jennifer Yen, CEO and founder of Purlisse Beauty. She suggests making friends with BB and CC creams during the colder months. Not only do they hydrate your skin, as an added bonus, but many BB and CC cream formulas also have good-for-you ingredients like vitamin C and SPF.

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If you are strapped for cash or just trying to be more resourceful during the winter months this hack is for you: instead of completely overhauling your current liquid foundation during the autumn and winter months, mix a few drops of your favourite facial oil or a few pumps of moisturiser into your current liquid foundation before application. (Mix well on the back of your hand before applying.) Not only will this save you big bucks, but it will also impart a natural glow.

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Winter months have us leaving warm indoor environments and running out to freezing temperatures, all within seconds. You need to make sure you apply a lipstick that can handle that stress. Nick Barose, Armani Beauty Artistry Collective Member, shares that when it comes to making your lipstick last, it’s all in the prepping. “If your lips are typically dry, you can use a non-sticky lip balm,” he says. “Use just a little and let it absorb before applying your lipstick,” he advises.

Even if you are methodical about moisturising before applying colour makeup or foundation, all of your efforts will go to waste if you use a powder formula. Swap your eyeshadows, blushes, and foundations for cream or liquid formulas for the colder months

Winter months are drying for many reasons (hello indoor heating systems!) and they require an extra layer of hydration. Celebrity makeup artist Lisa Aharon suggests using a facial mist to refresh skin throughout the long winter days. “Think of it as a drink of water for your face! Even when misted on clean skin, you can immediately see the benefits of a juicier, plumper complexion coming through,” she says. “You can use anything from a thermal or rose water to a skin-care ingredient rich formula.”

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One of the best ways to get a standout autumn look is to play up your lip colour. During autumn, turn to plum or burgundy shades of lipsticks, glosses, and stains. The look is somewhat vampy, but absolutely stunning on pale skin. Makeup artist and beauty consultant Tom Pecheux describes it as “sophisticated in a twisted kind of way,” thanks to its darker elements. With such a bold lip, there’s no need to also make a statement with your eyes, as you don’t want to overpower the look. Keep your eye shadow minimal, but feel free to use simple black mascara and eyeliner.

We all love wearing red lipstick as winter makeup, not only because it’s festive, but also because red perfectly matches your black, grey, and browns of your darker winter wardrobe. However, it’s important you stick to classic or dark reds without any coral or pink undertones. These colours signal warmer weather and will clash with your dark, winter outfits.

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Nail polish is much more than just makeup; it’s also a great accessory. It serves to complement your jewellery, long-sleeved blouses, and coats, so make sure your nail polish is always an appropriate colour. Bust out the greys, nudes, blacks, cherry reds, Merlot, and even sparkly golds and silvers.

As pretty as fluorescent pink looks on your fingers and toes, bright and colourful varnishes are a serious winter makeup faux pas. If your favourite colour is turquoise blue, turn to navy instead. As fun as rainbow polish colours are, save them for your next beach holiday.

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One benefit of braving the cold in winter is returning home with flushed, rosy cheeks. You can recreate this flattering look by generously swirling on pink blush. A rosy hue warms up your skin and keeps you from looking too sallow.

As your tan fades with the passing of summer, it’s best to embrace paler skin and find ways to complement it, rather than try to paint on a fake, summer glow. Ditch your bronzer this autumn and winter, and instead stick to pink blush. A brown contour won’t match the rest of your body, and rosy cheeks look far more endearing.

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For autumn and winter makeup: it’s all about the kohl eyeliner. Whether you opt for a sharp cat-eye or smudgy, morning-after look, black liner is a winter staple. It looks stunningly dramatic on pale skin and pairs well with a dark, winter wardrobe. You really can’t go wrong.

Purple and blue liners are daring and often considered high-fashion, but they’re sadly out of place during fall and winter. If you need a colourful alternative, you can certainly play with gold liner. Otherwise, it’s best to stick to charcoal black.

Gold and copper eye shadows are the way to go this autumn and winter. These colours easily go from day to night, add a smouldering shimmer, and are conveniently festive. If you don’t feel brave enough to apply these metallic shades, deep purple, taupe, and grey are beautiful alternatives.

It’s best to avoid any neon eye shadow palettes, as they’ll clash with your other fall makeup looks, like a vampy lip and nude polish. Before you reach for the bright pinks, greens, or blues, remember that there are darker alternatives that will give you much for fitting and enviable, smokey eyes.

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As the weather gets harsher, your number-one concern should be keeping your skin hydrated. Instead of following your usual routine when applying foundation, it’s best to consider moisturising primers and sunscreen (yep, you still need SPF lotion for your face in winter) at the start of your beauty routine. The last thing you want is to let your face dry out, which will result in cracking and flaking makeup.

It’s a common mistake to use your favourite liquid foundation during the changing seasons, but as your skin gets a few shades lighter, do not continue applying makeup that’s too dark for you. Instead, find a matching powder or foundation, or ditch that coverage altogether. As your skin battles the elements, it’s better to focus on hydrating skincare than faking a tan.

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Source: RD.com