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It’s that time of the year when I can use the weather as an excuse to overdo my makeup in every possible way. Too much blush and foundation? Well, the wind is going to wipe it away anyway so I might as well layer as much as I can. But that’s just me. Others do the opposite and skip wearing anything because, well, the wind is going to wipe it anyway.
The whole thing may make wearing makeup and keeping it in place all day a bit challenging. But it’s still doable with the right makeup products. So if you’re like me and you want to look and feel good in winter as much as you do in summer, I’ve got amazing winter-friendly makeup products that’ll get you through the gloomy season with a smiling face.
But remember that your skincare is more important in winter. The issue we face in winter regarding skincare, and how our makeup looks on that skin, is dryness. Cold weather and wind can give you a dull appearance. When your skin is dry, your makeup doesn’t look as smooth.
I mean, that’s why my oily skin has no problem with me using face oil in winter! It needs moisture. So makeup or no makeup, remember to take care of your skin in winter too. Now, some people, usually people with oily skin, prefer using matte products in winter.
And others, usually people with dry skin, prefer using dewy finish products. So I considered both scenarios below. Whether you want matte makeup or luminous makeup, or you have dry skin or oily skin, below are the best makeup products you can rely on for a flawless look in winter.
1. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
If you wear foundation in winter, then you’re already familiar with this baby. This is one of the most long-lasting foundations I’ve ever used on my skin. It’s waterproof, smudge-proof, and full coverage. This is the foundation you want to slather on for matte makeup in winter. The shade range is great and the liquid foundation is suitable for various skin types because it’s oil-free and won’t clog pores. The cult-favorite classic should be your go-to base, especially if you like matte makeup looks.
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Shades: 57
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Waterproof, oil-free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested
2. Estee Lauder Double Wear Sheer Long-Wear Makeup SPF 19
On the flip side, if you prefer natural-looking, a bit dewy makeup in winter, you can try this one. The coverage is lower but it gives you the summer glow in winter. It’s also suitable for people with mature, aging skin and who’d like something lighter. I use it when my skin is a bit dry and when I’m going for luminous makeup. The runny consistency blends amazingly well and smooths the skin’s surface.
Coverage: Light
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 27
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Weightless feel
3. Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
Let me tell you this. I go through this concealer as quickly as a jar of peanut butter. This is a full-coverage, matte-finish concealer. It’ll cover up dark circles and you can do your whole face makeup with this concealer! I especially love using it to even out my face when I’m not wearing foundation. It neutralizes my redness and conceals my pores and minor pimples! Just blend it into your skin one dot at a time because you don’t need too much product.
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural matte
Shades: 35
Size: 0.45 oz/13.5 ml
Good To Know: Photo-friendly/no flashback, non-comedogenic
4. Tarte Shape Tape Radiant Concealer
On the flip side, if a matte concealer isn’t your thing or you have dryer skin and prefer something a bit more radiant, Tarte has this creamy concealer. This is the radiant version of their original concealer. I love this when I need bright under-eyes. It provides medium coverage, but you can layer it for full coverage, especially to conceal dark circles. Also, it’s incredibly rich and one dot on each eye is enough for me!
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 37
Size: 0.33 oz/10 ml
Good To Know: Long wear, 24-hour skin hydration, cruelty-free
5. Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara
Rain, snow, wind, a good cry, whatever it is that gets your eye all watery has no chance against this waterproof mascara. This is the waterproof version of the original Better Than Sex Mascara. And in case you’re not familiar with hourglass-shaped wands, this type of mascara wand delivers amazing volume and curl. A few wiggles from right to left, as I brush my lashes upward, are all I need to get fuller-looking lashes. Plus, the formula is not glossy or shiny. It’s natural-looking and matte, so it plays amazingly well in winter weather.
Type: Volumizing
Finish: Matte
Size: 0.27 oz/8 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
6. Benefit WANDERful World Silky Soft Powder Blush
Powder blush is a foolproof option for any weather and any season. And it’s the one to go for if you want your makeup to be matte in winter. But when it comes to colors and shades, not all powder blushes are created equal. This one has an amazing range of colors that are out of this world! My favorite is Moone, which looks too bold but it’s that berry color that pops in cold winter weather as if you’ve stayed outside in the rain and got cold. The formula is very, very pigmented and I’m not exaggerating. Use little amounts and blend the blush well.
Finish: Satin
Shades: 11
Size: 0.21 oz/6 gr
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic
7. Benefit Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain
If you prefer wet-looking makeup that’s a bit more radiant, this is the one to try. This is a skin tint like a liquid blush. The beautiful color stays on the cheeks. Just do a few dabs onto your cheeks, blend in with your brush, and that’s it. Plus, you can use it to tint your eyelids and lips.
Finish: Natural dewy
Shades: 6
Size: 0.2 oz/6 gr
Good To Know: Smudge-proof
8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder
Setting powders can be too much in winter, especially if you have dry skin and you’re not taking good care of it. On the other hand, you need it if you want your makeup to last and stay in place. My reason for using a setting powder in winter is the smoothness it leaves on my skin. This ultra-fine loose powder, as fine as dust, gives my foundation the finishing touch it needs to look flawless. Sometimes, I don’t set my makeup right after applying it. I give it a few hours and when it starts to separate, I go over my face with this powder and it brings everything together, soaks up oil, blurs out creases, and smooths out makeup.
Finish: Matte
Shades: 5
Size: 0.9 oz/25 gr
Good To Know: Ultra-fine powder
9. RMS Beauty Luminizer in Living
And lastly, here is makeup that feels like skincare. This balm is packed with coconut and castor seed oil. It’s a moisturizing cream highlighter. But highlighter is an understatement because this is a multi-purpose formula. You can of course use it to highlight. But you can also use it to brighten your eye area by applying it on the eyelids. And you can turn your matte makeup into a dewy one by applying this underneath. So I use it on my cheeks first and then apply a matte concealer to make the concealer look more radiant. This is like a beauty balm you can use to bring freshness to any part of your face.
Finish: Radiant
Shades: 4
Size: 0.17 oz/4.82 gr
Good To Know: Cruelty-free
So these are some of my winter makeup staples I can swear by. If you’re in doubt and you want to get your essentials in order first, I’d definitely suggest getting the concealer, blush, and mascara. These three can help you create any look you want. Regardless, don’t forget to focus on skincare first and up your moisturizing game with a good winter-friendly moisturizer and a hydrating eye cream. Healthy skin makes makeup application much, much easier!
