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Winter Makeup Tips You'll Use All Season Long

Our director of artistry shares the secrets to great winter makeup.

Model with glowing skin wears a full face of Milk Makeup on a white background Model with glowing skin wears a full face of Milk Makeup on a white background

Air’s getting drier. Temperatures are dropping—low low. The coldest season is upon us and it’s time to add all the winter skin tips to your makeup routine. For many of us living in areas where it gets chilly, a new season means we have to edit our beauty stashes. If you’ve been through at least one full-fledged winter, you know why: The frigid, humidity-deficient air takes a toll on skin, leaving it drier and more vulnerable to irritation. For this reason, switching up a few items and techniques is key to getting your makeup to still look great despite the subzero temps. 

With just some minor tweaks—like leveling up your skincare game and using more cream-based makeup products—you can completely change how your base lays and looks to the naked eye. And naturally, we’re here to help you nail it (if you haven’t already). 

Here, with tips from Milk Makeup’s Director of Artistry Sara Wren, learn how to master winter makeup once and for all—from skincare prep to setting spray. 

Start with skincare 

First things first: skin prep. Don’t even look at your makeup bag before doing it. While it should always be a mainstay step in your routine, it’s extra important to prep and protect skin in the winter when the weather’s harsher. “Your skin tends to be drier in the winter and needs some extra love, [and] skincare is a huge part of that,” explains Sara. “A rich moisturizer is ideal because it not only helps hydrate and calm skin but also smoothes skin’s texture if it is feeling rough or dry.”

After gently cleansing skin, apply a generous dollop of our Vegan Milk Moisturizer for all-day hydration and protection from the elements. (Think of it as a shield for your skin.) This nourishing duo helps keep the skin barrier strong and intact while simultaneously creating an excellent canvas for makeup. 

Prime time

When it’s chilly and arid out, all skin types can benefit from using a hydrating primer to further protect skin and ensure it’s adequately hydrated prior to applying makeup. “Primer is essential for all skin types, but [especially] great for dry skin clients [who] are experiencing ‘makeup fade’ with their blush or complexion products,” says Sara. “I love using one to two pumps of our Hydro Grip Primer after I’ve let skincare fully absorb in for three to five minutes as it creates a grippy barrier that locks in skincare while keeping makeup in place.”

Apply a moisturizing base 

After your skin’s prepped and primed, apply a lightweight hydrating base to even out your complexion. If you want something with more coverage, Sara recommends our Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer because it’s buildable and won’t get “cakey or creasy,” she says. Use it to spot conceal, or blended out all over with a damp sponge for flawless-yet-skin-like coverage.

Add color + dimension

Have fun with your blush! Winter’s the perfect time to experiment with bold and moody tones, like plums, berries, and reds. Dab our liquid-based Bionic Blush on the apples of your cheeks and across your nose for a super cute, naturally wind-blown look. The shade Fly, a ruby red, is perfect at giving this effect. If you’re into purple blush however, opt for Beyond, a beautiful plumberry hue. 

Then add a touch of our Matte Cream Bronzer in your preferred shade anywhere you’d like to look more sculpted—jawline, cheekbones, forehead, you name it.

Product shot of Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer on a white background

Creamy liner + waterproof mascara

When it comes to eye makeup, Sara advises prepping lids with our Hydro Grip Eye Primer first—especially if you’re going to be using shadow.

“Make sure to use a creamy waterproof gel pencil, like our Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner, that glides on without tugging,” she adds. Use Outer Space (black) to tightline for a thicker lash look, and Limitless (brown) or Time (navy blue) on the top lash line for some added drama and definition. 

Finish the look with a swipe of waterproof mascara, like our new lengthening RISE Waterproof Mascara, for defined length, lift, and defense against smudging due to weather-induced watery eyes. 

Product shot of Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Limitlessc on a white background

Lock everything in place

Not everyone will need powder in the winter, so do whatever feels best for your skin’s unique needs. If that’s just a setting spray, it’ll do the trick. With that being said, if you are going to use powder, Sara recommends a light layering technique to avoid overdoing it and looking cakey. 

“Sometimes powder can make skin look and feel textured or dry, but I love talc-free Pore Eclipse Setting Powder because it doesn’t zap skin of moisture, just sets and controls oil,” she says. “If your look is ever feeling too dry or overly powdered, I recommend a couple spritzes of Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray to add moisture to skin without disrupting makeup.”

Keep lips hydrated + juicy 

It doesn’t matter if you’re going matte or glossy—hydration is essential if you want to avoid uncomfortably dry, chapped lips. We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun. So before applying lip liner or lipstick, go in with a lip balm or gloss, like our hydrating Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss in Journey (clear), to boost moisture and prevent water loss. 

“I love pairing a nude-toned liner with a gloss for a great everyday lip,” recommends Sara. The shade Quest, a creamy caramel beige, is a truly universally flattering hue that goes with any makeup look.

Now, bookmark this page to refer to and enjoy a season of gorgeous, hydrated makeup—winter air be damned.

Product shot of Milk Makeup Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss in Quest on a white background

Meet the Expert

Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.

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Kaleigh Fasanella is a New Jersey-based beauty and wellness writer with a decade of experience contributing to digital media outlets. Having a rare genetic skin condition, she's especially passionate about skincare and spreading skin acceptance. When she's not writing, you can find her binge-watching British crime dramas, attempting TikTok recipes, and thrifting on Depop.

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Kaleigh Fasanella is a New Jersey-based beauty and wellness writer with a decade of experience contributing to digital media outlets. Having a rare genetic skin condition, she's especially passionate about skincare and spreading skin acceptance. When she's not writing, you can find her binge-watching British crime dramas, attempting TikTok recipes, and thrifting on Depop.

All information is created for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.