Winter Makeup Must-Haves

Cold, dry weather is the ultimate beauty nemesis. Skin gets dull and flaky, lips crack and eyes tear, and suddenly your regular makeup routine is no longer working. (Red lipstick on top of cracked lips? EEK!) So check out these winter-specific makeup tips to stay looking dewy and fresh-faced right on through to spring.

Skin Smoother: Most beauty experts are fond of loose mineral foundation if you have visible flakes, but if you can't part with your liquid foundation, add a hydrating, makeup primer underneath to smooth out uneven patches. Most makeup primers are loaded with silicone, which is great for keeping oil in check during the summer, but during the winter you need to add moisture any chance you get, so look for silicone-free formulas. We like Korres Age-Reversing Face Primer Quercetin Oak and 100% Pure Luminous Primer Vitamins + Antioxidants. If you want the most low-maintenance makeup routine possible, bypass primer/foundation altogether and use a dewy tinted moisturizer with sunscreen instead. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint SPF 20 is a great one.

Sweet Cheeks: Powder blush has a tendency to sit on top of dry skin, which ends up looking artificial and cakey. Fake a natural (youthful!) flush with a cream blush formula like NYC New York Color Blushable Creme Stick. Simply dab it on the apples of your cheeks and blend out and down.

Lash Love: Frigid air can cause instant tears and runny makeup around your eye area. Because of this skip mascara on your bottom lashes and use Cover Girl LashBlast Length Water Resistant Mascara on the top. (Another benefit of using cream blush is that if you get tear streaks you can easily blend them away.)

Lip Lock: We love lip stains, but they have the tendency to suck the life right out of your pucker. Recently a makeup artist told us about Cover FX MintGlaze FX lip primer, which you can layer underneath any lipstick or stain to hydrate your lips and smooth dry flakes. You can even use it throughout the day on top of your lip color to stay moist.