Winter weather can be a serious drag on your beauty routine. Frigid temperatures plus zero humidity equals dry, inflamed skin, which is the complete opposite of how you want your complexion to behave prior to applying your favorite foundation. Sure, you can slather on a vat of petroleum jelly before bed to seal in a bit of extra moisture, but your social calendar doesn’t stop just because it’s blizzarding outside (or mildly chilly if you live in more temperate climates). So, how do you solve the flaky skin issue and help your complexion products sit smoothly on your skin this time of year?
Prep Skin
“[Dry skin] is definitely something that needs to be addressed at the change of seasons — maybe even a bit before — so you beat your skin to its dryness,” says makeup artist Jenna Menard. “Simply changing your skin-care [products] will help keep your skin hydrated.” She suggests swapping your usual cleanser for a more moisturizing balm, like the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, and adding an oil to your nighttime routine, like Furtuna Skin BiPhase Moisturizing Oil, to help prevent skin dehydration. Add in a once a week exfoliator, such as Dr. Whitney Bowe Exfoliation Night Resurfacing + Brightening Serum, to eliminate any flaky skin, but be sure not to overdo it and irritate your skin barrier any further.
Swap to a Creamy Foundation
Menard reveals that with the cold weather and drying indoor heat, your skin will likely appreciate a new, more moisturizing foundation. Still, don’t completely throw out the way you typically approach your makeup just because it’s cold outside. “I always focus on the goal finish (dewy, matte, or natural), then I consider any skin challenges (discoloration, extra dryness) and make sure the formula is ideal for the lifestyle (stick applied with your fingers, liquid applied with a brush or a sponge, cream applied only where needed and buffed out with a brush),” she says.
She prefers cream and serum-based foundations and concealers for the winter, such as the Revlon Illuminance Skin Caring Foundation, which help to lock in hydration and keep your complexion looking dewy, and avoids powders as they can highlight dry patches of skin. “Try lightly dusting a setting powder only where needed,” she explains, even if you’re going for a more matte makeup look.
This is also an ideal time to test out that new cream bronzer and blush that’s been chilling in your bathroom cabinet since the summer. “It’s the balance of cream textures on the face that all contribute to the perfect makeup application,” Menard says.
How to Apply Makeup for a Flake-Free Finish
Achieving a smooth complexion is all about layering your products properly and giving them adequate time to absorb into your skin. Don’t rush through your skin-care process and jump right into makeup — patience is a virtue here, especially if you want to avoid flaking, pilling, or an uneven texture. Remember that less is more in the winter, since, as Menard says, “I always take on the ‘only apply what is needed’ rule. Applying too much product will only cause issues, whether its build up, falling in fine lines, extra flaking, etc.” Focus on the areas that you want the most coverage, and build up your foundation in thin layers to keep your base from feeling too heavy.
You also want to make sure your application technique is gentle, since Menard stresses that rubbing your skin will only cause more issues. “You want to be sure you are not dragging a brush across the face,” she says. “You want to go up and down on the skin using a stippling technique — basically bouncing the brush up and down on the face.” The Monica Bunder Hybrid Cream Brush is her go-to for an even application every time.
After you’ve prepped your skin with your choice of hydrating serums and moisturizers, and swapped your foundation for something ultra creamy and nourishing, Menard suggests keeping a hydrating spray, like Iris & Romeo The Reset, on hand for midday touch ups. But above all, pamper your skin with plenty of moisturizing skin-care products prior to applying any makeup and you’ll remain blissfully dewy until spring.
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