As winter settles in, makeup and beauty trends shift to reflect the season’s chillier mood and the need for extra skin care. This year, winter beauty trends bring together cozy, rich colors, soft yet structured details, and a touch of shimmer that echoes frosty landscapes. From skincare essentials to striking makeup looks, these trends allow you to embrace the season with style and simplicity.
Here’s a guide to what’s popular this winter and how to incorporate these trends into your daily routine.
Hydration as a Foundation
With cold weather comes dry skin, making hydration a central focus in winter beauty routines. This season, makeup starts with skin that’s fully prepped and protected. Hydrating primers, dewy moisturizers, and lightweight, nourishing foundations are the base for any winter look, creating a smooth canvas that allows makeup to stay fresh despite the elements.
Skincare products rich in ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E are favorites for locking in moisture and combating dryness. Instead of heavy powders, many are turning to cream-based products for everything from blush to highlighter, which help maintain a natural, hydrated glow.
e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Foundation
Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation
Frosted Metallic Eyes
Winter 2024 brings back metallic eyes, but with a cooler, frosted touch. Shades like silver, icy blue, and muted lavender make for striking yet wearable winter looks. Metallic finishes add dimension without overwhelming the eyes, and this season’s style leans toward soft blending rather than sharp lines. Whether in eyeshadow form or as a liner accent, metallics capture a frosty, ethereal look that’s perfect for the season.
For a simple approach, a wash of metallic shadow over the lids paired with a matte crease shade works well. For those interested in experimenting, metallic eyeliner on the upper or lower lash line can bring a unique, seasonal twist to your look without requiring a full eye shadow application.
Bold Lips and Glossy Finishes
Winter is always a strong season for bold lip colors, and 2024’s trend is no exception. This year, classic reds, deep plums, and rich berries make a comeback, with a focus on precise application and defined edges. Unlike fall’s blurred lip trend, winter emphasizes crisp lines for a look that feels polished and intentional. Long-lasting formulas are in, ensuring that lip color remains vibrant throughout holiday gatherings or winter outings.
In addition to rich, opaque colors, glossy finishes are a big part of winter beauty. Glossy lips add dimension and pair well with matte eyes for a balanced look. Sheer glosses can also be layered over bold lipsticks for a more subdued shine.
Understated Blush with a Natural Flush
Blush takes a backseat this winter, with subtle shades that mimic a natural flush rather than standing out as a focal point. Soft peach, mauve, and rosy hues in cream or liquid formulas blend seamlessly into the skin, giving just enough color to brighten the face without overpowering other elements.
Winter blush placement focuses on the apples of the cheeks, blending slightly upward for a lifted effect. The goal is a barely-there warmth that complements winter skin, which can often appear paler than in warmer months.
Strong Brows with a Soft Edge
Brows remain a key feature in winter makeup, with a balance between definition and softness. Full, well-groomed brows frame the face, yet the look is less structured and more natural. Rather than sharp, dramatic arches, the trend leans toward soft, feathered edges that enhance the shape without looking overly defined.
To achieve this, brow gels, tinted brow creams, and soft pencils are ideal tools for filling in sparse areas and adding a hint of color. Brushing the brows up and out keeps them looking natural and balanced with other elements of the face.
Minimalist Lashes
This winter, lashes are being kept minimal and clean, reflecting the overall trend of understated elegance. While voluminous lashes will always have their place, many are opting for a lighter touch with lengthening mascaras and a focus on separation over volume. For a more delicate look, clear mascara or lash serums are being used to highlight the natural shape of lashes, adding just enough definition for a polished effect.
For those who want more emphasis, wispy false lashes can add length without creating too much volume, complementing the trend toward subtle, frosted eyes and bold lips.
Subtle Shimmer for a Winter Glow
While summer often sees more obvious highlighter and shimmer, winter 2024 calls for a subtler approach to glowing skin. The aim is a soft, almost candlelit glow rather than high-wattage shine. Liquid or cream highlighters in soft gold, champagne, or pearl shades blend naturally into the skin, catching the light without standing out too strongly.
These soft highlights work well on the high points of the face, such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and even the bridge of the nose. The subtle shimmer complements the season’s frosty aesthetic and provides a healthy-looking glow, even as the temperatures drop.
Soft Smoky Eyes
The classic smoky eye gets a winter makeover with softer shades and a lighter application. Deep greys, charcoal, and rich browns replace the traditional black, creating a more wearable and versatile smoky eye that suits various occasions. This season, smoky eyes are less about intensity and more about softness and blendability, which lends a cozy, approachable vibe.
For an easy winter smoky eye, blend a matte grey or brown shade into the crease and outer corners of the eyes, keeping the inner corners lighter. Add a hint of shimmer to the center of the lid or along the lash line for a touch of brightness. This softer version of the smoky eye works well with bold lips or a more neutral lip color.
Neutral Nails with a Twist
Nails this winter stick to neutral bases, but with added details like subtle shimmer, ombre effects, or micro French tips in seasonal shades. Shades like soft taupe, nude, and icy blue are popular choices, with added accents in metallic or glossy finishes. This approach keeps nails chic and wearable while embracing the winter theme.
Short, rounded nails remain a popular shape, offering a timeless look that complements most hand shapes. For a creative twist, adding tiny snowflake or gemstone decals can elevate a simple manicure, making it feel winter-ready without overwhelming the look.
Layered Fragrances
Winter beauty extends beyond makeup to include scents that embrace the cozy, warm, and spicy elements of the season. This year, fragrance layering is becoming more popular, allowing for a personalized scent that can evolve throughout the day. Popular notes include warm vanilla, amber, soft woods, and a hint of spice, creating a comforting fragrance profile that aligns with winter’s cozy appeal.
For a custom scent experience, start with a body cream or lotion in a base fragrance, then layer a complementary perfume on top. This layering approach not only intensifies the fragrance but also helps it last longer, making it ideal for winter when scents can dissipate more quickly in the cold.
Practical Application Tips for Winter Makeup
To get the best results from these winter makeup trends, it’s essential to consider the season’s unique demands on the skin. A few practical tips can help winter beauty routines stay fresh and comfortable:
- Prep Skin for Makeup – Start with a hydrating primer to lock in moisture and provide a smooth base for foundation.
- Adjust for Indoor and Outdoor Lighting – Winter lighting can be harsher, so checking makeup in natural light can help avoid over-applying.
- Keep Products Close at Hand – Cold weather can sometimes cause makeup to fade, so keeping a few products like lip balm or setting spray in your bag can help maintain your look throughout the day.
- Use Setting Sprays Instead of Powders – Since powders can dry out winter skin, setting sprays are a better option to keep makeup in place while maintaining a dewy finish.
Embracing Your Style
The beauty of winter 2024 trends is the balance they offer between minimalism and creativity. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of a bold lip, the frosted allure of metallic eyes, or the subtle glow of hydrated skin, there’s something for every preference and comfort level. Embracing the season doesn’t mean changing everything about your routine; it’s about adding small, seasonal touches that enhance your unique style.
