5 Beauty Editors Share Their Winter Makeup Routines

December 08, 2020

By: Jessica Harrington | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

If there’s one thing our editors can agree on when it comes to winter makeup, it’s that they like to swap out their warm-weather products for more hydrating and glow-giving options. Brisk temps mean that they’ll reach for a tinted moisturizer over a foundation, a crisp mascara over a multi-step eyeshadow routine and a glossy, moisturizing lip color over a classic matte lipstick. Take a hint from these swaps our editors are making to help reinvent your own winter makeup routine in 2021.

Sarah, Senior Editor

Because my skin is dry during the winter, I’m all about hydrating face makeup. One of my new fave products is the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40. It feels weightless and blurs imperfections while giving my skin a moisture boost. Then I like to apply the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush in Nude Burn on my cheeks for a subtle flush.

I'm typically more into a bold lip than a bold eye look, but because I'm wearing protective facial masks regularly this year, I'm switching things up. I've been playing with the NYX Professional Makeup Diamonds & Ice, Please Shadow Jellies, and I especially love the shade Rust Worthy, a shimmer-flecked copper. The color makes my green eyes pop and is perfect for the holidays. To pump up the drama on the eyes, I like to swipe on Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash Lifting Volumizing Mascara, which helps lift and volumize my lashes. For my lips, I've been reaching for the IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serum Lip Gloss in Like a Dream. The formula is hydrating and comfortable, and it gives me a pretty wash of color.

Alanna, Asst. Managing Editor

I deal with a lot of flaky skin in the winter, so my first goal is making my complexion look even and smooth. I start with the Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer, which I think does an excellent job at hiding the uneven areas and giving my skin a velvety texture. I follow that up with the Patrick Ta Monochrome Moment Velvet Blush in She’s Sincere for a soft wash of color on my cheeks that also distracts from any noticeable patches.

My second winter makeup goal is to keep it simple with the eyes — nothing fancy with lots of steps. I opt for the L’Oréal Paris Le Liner Signature Mechanical Eye Pencil in Noir Cashmere to line my upper lash line and create a small wing, and then I coat my lashes in the L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara.

For my third, and perhaps most universal winter makeup goal, I need a hydrating lippie! The Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly Gloss in Almond is definitely my favorite for this because it has a combination of apricot kernel oil and raspberry seed oil to nourish my lips and make them look extra soft and shiny.

Sam, Assistant Editor

I live for a dewy complexion year-round and do my best to maintain one come winter. While I definitely stock up on uber-hydrating skin-care formulas, I also try to pick makeup products that are creamy and moisturizing. For my base, I’ve been loving the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate, gives a radiant finish and has buildable, medium coverage.

For concealer, I’ve been reaching for the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer, which is great for covering both my under-eye circles and my mask-induced pimples. I finish off my complexion with cream and liquid formulas for my bronzer, blush and highlighter. A few of my faves are the Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer, the NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint and the Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand.

Finally, I reach for a nourishing gloss (my go-to is the Maybelline New York Lip Lifter Gloss) to soothe my chronically chapped winter lips, and I swipe on the Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash Lifting Volumizing Mascara, which gives my typically straight lashes an instant, all-day curl.

Genesis, Assistant Editor

During the winter, my main priorities are focused on hydration and glow. I also like to keep things pretty minimal to limit the amount of transfer on my chunky turtlenecks, scarves and face masks. To prep, I always use a primer to smooth out any uneven texture on my face. I swear by the Tula Brighten Up Smoothing Primer Gel to blur my large pores into oblivion.

Lately, I’ve been skipping foundation all together and applying the Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer to even out my skin tone and cover any blemishes. I love this formula because it’s super hydrating and a little goes a long way.

Then, to warm up my complexion and add a soft, rosy glow, I use the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick on the apples of my cheeks. For highlighter, I’ve been obsessed with the Live Tinted Hue Glow in Dusk. It’s the most perfect creamy highlighter that offers a gorgeous radiance that makes my skin look healthy and happy from the inside out.

For my eyes, I like to go in with a swipe of the Maybelline New York Color Strike Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow Pen in Flash all over my lids and top it off with a couple of coats of the L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mega Mascara.

Finally, my beauty routine isn’t complete without a spritz of the Giorgio Armani My Way Fragrance, which has been a major mood booster during these colder, work-from-home days.

Jillian, Social Media Editor

My winter makeup is all about keeping me glowy and hydrated to combat the dry, cold weather wreaking havoc on my complexion. Foundation is a must-have for me, and IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare gives me the buildable coverage I’m looking for, while the hyaluronic acid and aloe in it keep me soothed and moisturized.

When it comes to blush, the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat in Fuchsia Spark is a necessity. The cream formula gives me a subtle and natural glow, and it doesn’t look dry – I can’t get that with a powder blush.

For my eyes, I keep things simple and usually only wear mascara. Catch me in the Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara pretty much everyday.

And, of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t tie my look together with a lip color. Sticking to a moisturizing formula is still key for me, though, because I deal with chapped lips that worsen in the winter. The IT Cosmetics Pillow Lips Solid Serum Lip Gloss in Humble is a gorgeous nude cinnamon shade that’s perfect for both daily and holiday wear. It gives me so much hydration, I swear I’m wearing a luxe lip treatment when I use it.

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn