Winter Beauty 101: Beating That Face!
Carrying your summertime fine over into fall and winter is a challenge. The change in climate attacks everything - our immune systems, our skin, our hair - its like we’re in a literal Cold War! I love a good pun. It takes thought and preparation to adapt ourselves to the weather conditions while still maintaining the level of fly we are accustomed to. It’s an art! But any artist might lose her touch after six months or so without practice. So here are a few helpful hints, tips and products to transforming your makeup looks and routine for this season.
It All Starts With Hydration…
As a general rule, keeping our skin hydrated and moisturized is a good rule of thumb year round. Especially for “melinated” beauties, our skin looks best when she’s oiled and plumped up. However, getting that healthy glow is much different in the winter season than summer. In warm weather, we are already sweating and our oils are popping out of our naturally oily skin, so we double down on the shiny products and use more matte foundations and moisturizers and primers to achieve the perfect balance. In winter, we must do the complete opposite.
For winter, before we add even a lick of makeup product, it is important to address the skin and all her needs. Hydrate your face with with gentle serums containing a bit of hylauronic acid and retinol. Moisturize liberally after your skin care routine. Then choose a primer and foundation with hydrating properties that will hold up as soon as you step out that door and get slapped in the face by the an ice cold wind. Some of my favorite winter primers and foundations are by Too Faced (the Hangover Replenishing Primer and Born This Way Foundation) and MAC (Studio Face & Body Foundation and Strobe Cream).
And It Continues….
After foundation many like to do an under-eye concealer and brightening step. Baking can be very drying to the complexion, so if you do bake, be sure to decrease the time you allow the powder to set. Setting the rest of the face is also okay, if you see the need, but it’s important to use a good setting spray to keep everything looking natural and not too dry. Sprays like MAC’s Fix Plus and Smashbox’s Primer Water are great for this step. (These sprays also come in minis that I like to keep in my makeup bag to refresh my makeup throughout the day, especially in winter).
Once the base is down, many like to contour or bronze, after which they may proceed to applying blush and highlight. In winter, I prefer to blush more than highlight, as blush adds a brightness that won’t necessarily be effected by light reflecting off of it. In the dark, wet days of winter, there isn’t as much light to reflect off the golden powders and creams of highlighter, so sometimes it ends up looking more ashy and dusty. Blush also mimics the delicate flush of the face one gets after being out in the cold too long. However, if you simply must have your glow, try liquids and cream highlighters. Mixing them in with your foundation and moisturizer can also give an overall healthy sheen to the face.
Ending with More Hydration!
After applying our finishing touches to our face, be it the eyeliner, the shadow, the lashes, or mascara, we usually finish up with our lips. Whether you choose to go for a gloss or vibrant matte lip color, be sure to add a chapstick or balm before, as the lips are often the first casualties of frigid weather, easily becoming chapped even under glosses and lipstick. Of course it’s always a plus if your lip products have moisturizing agents!
As a final hurrah, a setting spray is a great way to keep the face in place while - you guessed it - keeping it hydrated. A couple of my favorites for every season is the Urban Decay All Nighter and the Cover FX High Performance Spray , that keep makeup on and fresh. Sounds like a lot of work, huh? Your face will thank you when you arrive to your destination picture perfect, instead of ashy!
