This blog post provides an easy tutorial on how to achieve the ‘Cold Girl Makeup’ look. Discover product recommendations and techniques.
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Have you ever wondered how some people manage to look effortlessly stunning even in the coldest of winter days? Well, it’s all about mastering the ‘cold girl makeup’ look. This trend is a play on a natural, no-makeup beauty technique. It’s perfect for those chilly days when you want to look put-together without putting in too much effort.
You might be wondering, “How do I do this cold girl makeup trend”? Well, you’re in luck! In this post, I’ll break down the easy steps and products to achieving this coveted winter makeup look.
Skin Prep: The Key to a Hydrated Look
Before we even start with the makeup application, it’s crucial to prep your skin for a hydrated and smooth base. Winter can be harsh on our skin, leaving it dry and flaky. To combat this, start with a hydrating serum or face oil to give your skin that extra boost of moisture.
The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum is perfect for this. It’s lightweight and layers easily under makeup. If you find you need more hydration, a Pro Makeup Artist recommended the Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream and it’s been a game changer.
I cannot recommend enough that you wear SPF every day. It’s the best anti-aging product you can ever use. Even on the cloudiest days, UV rays can still penetrate and cause damage to your skin.
My two favorites to use for under makeup are the Kosas DreamBeam Mineral Sunscreen and the Naturium UV Reflect Antioxidant Sunscreen. Once that’s complete you’re ready to move on to your base.
Flawless Complexion: The Foundation for the Cold Girl Aesthetic
Once your skin is prepped, it’s time to even out your skin tone with a light coverage foundation or a skin-tint formula. The cold girl makeup look is all about even, glowing skin. The key here is to maintain a natural look while still achieving an even complexion.
You want your skin to look like skin, not like you’re wearing a mask. Some great options for this are the Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint or the newly viral Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Perfector Essence Foundation. Many are saying it’s a dupe for the $70 Chanel Water Fresh Tint.
If you do like more medium coverage, the Haus Labs Triclone Foundation is a chef’s kiss type of foundation. It will give you a lot of flexibility in your look. Many makeup artists also recommend mixing your foundation with a moisturizer or oil to thin it out and give it more of a skin-like finish.
If you have blemishes or redness, spot conceal those areas rather than caking on heavy foundation all over your face. The goal is to keep the base of your makeup light and natural. You can also conceal and brighten under your eyes as well.
Light Bronzing and Sculpting for a Natural Look
This part is purely optional. To add some dimension and warmth to your face, use a light hand with bronzer. Take it easy on the contouring and instead opt for a sun-kissed glow.
Apply the bronzer where the sun would naturally hit your face – the high points of your cheekbones, forehead, and nose. The Merit Sheer Sculpting Bronzer is a great option for this.
A ‘Wind Blown/Flushed’ Cheek: The Secret to a Rosy Glow
The most distinctive feature of the ‘cold girl makeup’ look is the flushed cheeks. To achieve this, use a liquid or cream blush in a light rosy shade and blend it onto the apples of your cheeks and over the bridge of your nose. This will give you that “just came in from the cold” flush. Check out Patrick Ta’s quick tutorial using his Major Headlines Crème & Powder Blush Duo.
If you can’t get your hands on his product, I highly suggest the Saie liquid blush in Baby or the Rare Beauty Liquid Blush in Lucky.
You can follow either one of those products with soft pink powder. It will add some brightness to your face and set the creamy products in place.
Frosty Eyes: The Icy Touch to Complete the Look
Now for the eyes. Opt for frosty shades like pale pinks, shimmery whites, or icy blues to add a wintery touch. This part is super easy. Depending on which color you’re going for, you only need one or two products.
If you’re going for a winter white look, try starting with a cream base like the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. Blend it out with the Makeup Forever Star Lit Diamond Powder in the color Pink White. I also recommend the ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in colors: Sailor, Ice Dream, Tassel, or In The Saddle.
Apply them all over your lids and blend them out for a soft, ethereal look. You can also add a touch of shimmer to the inner corners of your eyes to make them pop.
It’s up to you whether you want to line your eyes or not. If you choose to, remember to keep the line subtle and blend it out with either your finger or a brush.
Finish off with a few coats of lengthening mascara for fluttery, doll-like lashes. Also, feel free to pop on false lashes if you like.
Watch this pro makeup artist create the perfect frosty eye makeup look. Sadly the palette she uses is no longer available. Below are some great alternatives with similar colors and finishes.
Faux Freckles: The Natural Touch
To really play up the natural element of this makeup look, you can add faux freckles. Use a brow pen or a light brown eyeliner to dab on freckles across your cheeks and nose. This will give you a sun-kissed look that adds to the overall ‘no-makeup’ vibe of this look.
This set from Amazon is a great option for that! Just be sure to blend them in.
Lips: Keep Them Soft and Subtle
To tie your Cold Girl Makeup look all together, opt for a lip color that matches your natural lip tone. Whether it’s a nude, pink, or mauve shade.
Keeping the lips natural will balance out the overall makeup look and prevent it from looking too overdone. A tip you can use is by dabbing on a lip stain and not letting it set all the way. Wipe most of it off and then add a clear gloss on top for a hydrating and subtle touch of color. Or skip that, and pick a tinted lip oil instead. The viral ELF tinted lip oil is perfect for this.
Lock the Look in Place
To ensure your Cold Girl Makeup look stays in place all day, finish off with a slight dusting of setting powder and setting spray. This will help to keep your makeup looking fresh and hydrated throughout the day. Remember to be just a little light handed when it comes to the powder!
And there you have it!
The easiest steps on achieving the ‘Cold Girl Makeup’ look. A delightful twist on the natural, no-makeup winter aesthetic. This style is all about enhancing your natural features and creating a fresh, hydrated appearance. Remember, the important step is in the prep. Good skincare, light coverage, and strategic use of products can make all the difference. So, why not give it a try? Embrace the winter chill and let your natural beauty shine through in a new, cool way!
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If you’re interested in more Winter essentials, check out my Ultimate Guide to Wool Coats here.