11 Dos and Don’ts of Fall and Winter Makeup

It's not just your fall and winter wardrobe that needs to transition for the colder weather; your makeup and skincare routine needs a refresher, too. Here are all the swaps you need to make to look beautiful all winter long.

 

Do: Wear maroon and burgundy lipstick

One of the best ways to get a standout autumn look is to play up your lip color. During fall, turn to plum or burgundy shades of lipsticks, glosses, and stains. The look is somewhat vampy, but absolutely stunning on pale skin. Makeup artist and beauty consultant Tom Pecheux describes it as "sophisticated in a twisted kind of way," thanks to its darker elements. With such a bold lip, there's no need to also make a statement with your eyes, as you don't want to overpower the look. Keep your eye shadow minimal, but feel free to use simple black mascara and eyeliner.

Don't: Wear coral or pink lipstick

We all love wearing red lipstick as winter makeup, not only because it's festive, but also because red perfectly matches your black, gray, and browns of your darker winter wardrobe. However, it's important you stick to classic or dark reds without any coral or pink undertones. These colors signal warmer weather and will clash with your dark, winter outfits.

Do: Paint your nails gray or nude

Nail polish is much more than just makeup; it's also a great accessory. It serves to compliment your jewelry, long-sleeved blouses, and coats, so make sure your nail polish is always an appropriate color. Bust out the grays, nudes, blacks, cherry reds, Merlot, and even sparkly golds and silvers.

Don't: Paint your nails neon

As pretty as fluorescent pink looks on your fingers and toes, bright and colorful varnishes are a serious winter makeup faux pas. If your favorite color is turquoise blue, turn to navy instead. As fun as rainbow polish colors are, save them for your next beach vacation.

Do: Apply rosy, pink blush

One benefit of braving the cold in winter is returning home with flushed, rosy cheeks. You can recreate this flattering look by generously swirling on pink blush. This can add rosiness to medium skin tones, which can go a touch sallow when pale. It adds that warmth and punch to the skin that we miss when it's cold out.

Don't: Continue wearing bronzer

As your tan fades with the passing of summer, it's best to embrace paler skin and find ways to complement it, rather than try to paint on a fake, summer glow. Ditch your bronzer this fall and winter, and instead stick to pink blush. A brown contour won't match the rest of your body, and rosy cheeks look far more endearing.

Do: Always apply kohl eyeliner

For fall and winter makeup: it's all about the kohl eyeliner. Whether you opt for a sharp cat-eye or smudgy, morning-after look, black liner is a winter staple. It looks stunningly dramatic on pale skin and pairs well with a dark, winter wardrobe. You really can't go wrong.

Don't: Line your eyes in purple or blue

Purple and blue liners are daring and often considered high-fashion, but they're sadly out of place during fall and winter. If you need a colorful alternative, you can certainly play with gold liner. Otherwise, it's best to stick to charcoal black.

Do: Wear copper and bronze eye shadow

Gold and copper eye shadows are the way to go this fall and winter. These colors easily go from day to night, add a smoldering shimmer, and are conveniently festive. If you don't feel brave enough to apply these metallic shades, deep purple, taupe, and gray are beautiful alternatives.

Do: Focus on moisturizing makeup

As the weather gets harsher, your number-one concern should be keeping your skin hydrated. Instead of your usual foundation, it's best to apply especially moisturizing primers, BB creams, and sunscreen (yep, you still need SPF in winter) at the start of your beauty routine. The last thing you want is to let your face dry out, which will result in cracking and flaking makeup.

Don't: Hold onto the same foundation

It's a common mistake to hold onto our favorite liquid foundation during the changing seasons, but as your skin gets a few shades lighter, do not continue applying makeup that's too dark for you. Instead, find a matching powder or foundation, or ditch that coverage altogether. As your skin battles the elements, it's better to focus on hydrating skincare than faking a tan.

Definitive Winter Skin Care Routine

Winter. The season when it’s really time to ring the changes as, thanks to cold temperatures, harsh winds and central heating, skin can be left feeling dehydrated and dull. So, just as you update your wardrobe at this time of year, it’s also important to adopt a winter skin care routine, to give it that little bit of extra love that it deserves.

Cleanse – and then cleanse again

Double cleansing comes into its own come winter. An initial first cleanse with a micellar water will prep, refresh and revive skin. But it’s the second, richer, deeper cleanse that really makes it count. Using a foam or gel for this step will nourish the complexion whilst making it feel really clean.  Splash your face with water (or use in the shower or bath if that’s your usual morning routine).

Water, Works

Water essences are your best friend when it comes to putting moisture and hydration straight back into the skin. Using it as the base for the rest of your regime, apply with fingers on to a clean complexion and watch your skin absorb it right away.

Ultimate Moisture

The last step in your winter regime is the most obvious… Moisturiser. At this time of year, though, look to something that is thicker in texture than what you would normally use so that it creates a protective barrier from the cold and locks in all that moisture you will already have applied.

7 Basic Face Care Tips You Need to Follow In Winter

Any extreme weather condition–be it hot or cold can damage your skin. However, winter is particularly hard as the dry wind, and chilly weather can make your skin dry up leading to flakes. And a regular skincare regimen would hardly help in such times. Your skin needs more than just pampering to keep it healthy and glowing.
And to help you achieve that, here are a few simple winter care tips for your face that you can follow to avoid excessive dryness and dead looking skin.

Face Care in Winter–7 Basic Tips

 1. Cleansing, The First Step To Healthy Skin

No matter which product you use, cleansing is a must-follow first step in skincare. This has to be followed through the year irrespective of the season. In winters, you can limit the number of times you wash your face from 3 times to 2 times and alternatively cleanse your face with cold milk and cotton ball to prevent excessive dryness.

2. Scrub, Exfoliation Is The Key

Exfoliating your skin with a scrub is a given in any season. But you may want to minimize the number of times you scrub your face in winters as daily scrubbing might cause abrasion and turn your skin drier. It helps to use a mild exfoliating scrub and make it a weekly affair.
You can enhance your scrubbing experience by making your own scrub using natural ingredients available at your home. Here’s a sample fruit scrub for you.

• 2 tbsp. mashed ripe banana
• 2 tbsp. of a mashed apple
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 2 dollops of your Mild scrub.

Mix all the ingredients and gently scrub your face for 2 minutes in circular motions. Washing it off with warm water and pat dry with a soft towel.

3. Toning To Tighten The Skin

First things first, always use a mild toner that suits your skin rather than one loaded with chemicals. A harsh toner could disturb your skin’s PH levels. Toning will remove the post-cleansing residual dirt from your face. Toning not only tightens your skin but also prepares it for the moisturizer, night serum you are about to apply to the face.

4. Moisturizing For Soothing

Moisturising is not just essential for very dry and flaky skin, but regular skin type must indulge in this routine too. If you are not for chemical-laden products, then you could go for any of the natural moisturizers— almond oil or extra virgin olive oil. Alternatively, you can mix the oil with your normal cold cream or lotion too. Gently massage this into your skin till it absorbs and leave it on.

5. Essential Face Packs For Winter

There are hundreds of ingredients in your kitchen which can help keep your facial skin soft and supple in the harsh cold season. Here are a few face packs that you can make use of.

• Avocado Face Pack

Avocado has extreme moisturizing properties, it’s good for hair as well as your face. Use mashed ripe avocado on the face for about 10-15 minutes before washing off with warm water. Apply a light moisturizer instead of a toner.

• Banana Face Mask

Mashed ripe banana is a great moisturizing agent. Take 4 to 5 tablespoons of mashed ripe banana and massage it on the face. Wash off after 10 minutes and give your face some massage with honey, go in circular motions for that extra moisturizing feel. Do so for at least 10 minutes and finish off with a toner.

• Buttermilk Pack

Use malai or fresh buttermilk with a pinch of turmeric, let it stay on the face for about 10 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water.

• Aloe Vera

Known for its incredibly moisturizing properties,  aloe vera can be used on the face as a moisturizer; It is an ideal way to relieve your face from dryness and enhance its texture.

6. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drink plenty of water since it’s essential to keep your body and skin hydrated in the dry weather. This will also ensure your skin remains glowing.

7. Shield Your Skin From The Sun

The sun may be hiding in winters, but it still manages to peep through the clouds allowing the UVA and UVB rays to harm your skin. Thus, never give sunscreen a miss.