As the weather gets colder and that rosy glow pops into your cheeks every time you step outdoors, your beauty routine needs to follow suit. This winter has its own set of trends, as well as some general guidelines to help you switch from your fall face to a chillier complexion.
1. Layering
And not just your sweaters. In winter, it really helps to layer your skincare and makeup products to protect your skin and your hard work. In cold locales, where the weather leeches moisture from your skin, try layering a serum under a heavier lotion to really lock in that moisture.
2. Purple
One of the hottest color families this season, you really can’t go wrong with any purple in my opinion. Try a rich, royal purple in the outer-V, taking it about a sixth of the way under the eye; or, opt for a plum-tone satin lip with a hint of clear gloss paired with a neutral eye.
3. Icy Composure
Fittingly, icy shades of blue, white, and silver are de rigeur for Winter 2010. Aim for simplicity with just one or two of these shades dusted lightly over your lids, and finish with a nude lip. Wanna go all the way? Cover your lips with a neutral concealer or a product like MAC Lip Erase, and put a bit of a nude gloss over it for some added dimension.
4. Luscious Locks
One of the most oft overlooked beauty areas in winter is your hair. The constant changes in temperature from stepping out into the blustery cold and into the warm embrace of your car’s heater, and the dry, whipping winds can wreak havoc on even the healthiest head of hair. Use a deep conditioning mask once or twice a week, and try out a new leave-in conditioner — tailored to your hair type — to counteract the harmful effects of this season. For styling, reach for creams, pastes, lotions, and serums rather than gels, clays, or mousses, which can dry out, flake, and go limp between the cold and the constantly changing temperature.
5. Natural
Although it can be one of the hardest looks to pull off, the bare-faced natural look is all the rage this season. To achieve this no-fuss face, aim for a satin or matte foundation, beige or neutral lips, eyeshadows in shades of champagne, light brown, khaki, camel, and chocolate, and sheer powder blushes in shades of berry, rose, or tan. Intensify this “wind-burnt” look (another huge trend right now) by keeping your eyes and lips relatively bare, and use a rose, pink, or muted red cream blush liberally all across the tops of the cheekbones. Use whatever’s left on your brush to tap some color onto your chin and down the bridge of your nose.
