10 Stunning Winter Makeup Ideas to Try This Season

1. Winter Radiance

This dewy, hydrated skin look is ideal for those harsh, dry winter days when your skin needs a little extra love. To achieve this radiant makeup look, start by prepping your skin. Celebrity makeup artist Carly Giglio suggests using a hydrating serum like Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum, followed by a nourishing moisturizer like Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer.

“Next, opt for a product with added radiance to apply beneath your foundation for that natural, glowing-from-within look—I love using Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter,” says Giglio. “I apply it under my eyes to brighten, as well as on my cheeks, down the bridge of my nose, and along my brow bones.”

2. Ruby Red Lips

“A red lip to me just screams holiday—it’s festive!,” says celebrity makeup artist Deanna Paley. “You can wear it day or night, and just tweak the rest of your makeup to suit.”

To perfect this look, Paley recommends prepping your lips first before applying a bold statement lip. She begins with COSRX Lip Scrub, then follows up with Bigger Than Beauty Skincare Pout Hero Liquid Balm Lip Treatment. “Once my lips are in top condition, I’m ready for color,” she explains. “I like to overline my lips for that added fullness.” Paley suggests lining your lips first, then choosing a comfortable, long-lasting lipstick shade to complement it. She recommends Thrive Causemetics Lip Filler Long-Wearing + Plumping Lip Liner, which is easy to apply and includes a built-in sharpener for a perfect line every time. The Maurjon shade is the ideal red that pairs well with various lipstick colors.”

“My go-to red lipstick is the Cle De Peau Beaute Rouge A Levres Lipstick in Legend of Rouge,” says Paley. “I also love a bold brow to complement the red lip, so I always finish them off with Milk Makeup’s Kush Brow Lamination Gel.”

3. Vampy

“This look is both fabulous and effortlessly chic,” says Yetty Bames, a makeup artist, brow specialist, and stylist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon. “The vampy dark lip serves as the focal point, while the rest of the makeup is fresh and dewy, perfect for a relaxed party vibe.”

To create this look, start by applying foundation and concealer to cover any redness, imperfections, or under-eye circles. Bames recommends using KVD Beauty Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Serum Foundation and Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer. Then, contour your cheek hollows, hairline, nose, and jawline with Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Setting Powder in a shade darker than your skin tone.

After contouring, Bames suggests applying NARS Highlighting Powder in Albatross to your cheekbones. Use NYX Control Freak Clear Eyebrow Gel to shape your brows, and Dior Diorshow 24h Buildable Volume Mascara to add volume to your lashes. Finish the look with the star of the show—apply Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Color Beautifying Lipstick in a deep shade to your lips.

4. Frosted Eyes

This look focuses on creating shimmering, "frosted" eyes. The makeup is subtle, giving a sparkling, wet-eye effect, much like snow. Giglio suggests starting by priming the eyes with a tinted product to even out the eyelid color. “This not only smooths your lid but also helps the eyeshadow last longer. A neutral, creamy eyeshadow like MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Eyeshadow is perfect for this step,” she says.

For the eyeshadow, Giglio’s favorite is the Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Palette. “There’s a reason this palette sold out,” she explains. “To achieve the pink icy look, start with the pink matte shade along the lash line, blending upward toward the crease. Then, use your finger to press the pink metallic shade onto the eyelid for a more intense effect. These shimmers give just the right amount of gloss and shine without the mess of eye gloss.”

If you want a little more definition along the lash lines, Giglio suggests using a small brush with one of the deeper shades. “Don’t go too dark—remember, you don’t want to overpower the frosted finish,” she advises. To finish the look, apply a mascara like Arbonne Elevate Mascara to lift your lashes and make your eyes appear more open.

5. Monochrome Mami

“I often find myself gravitating toward monochrome outfits in the winter, so it only makes sense to coordinate my makeup with that theme,” says Paley. “I love using neutrals and soft pinks for this look, as they help me appear awake and glowing, even in the dreary winter months.”

Paley emphasizes that this look is all about creating a flawless base, so your skin needs to be prepped perfectly. She starts with the COSRX Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water because it’s gentle, hydrating, and perfect for sensitive skin without causing irritation. “Bigger Than Beauty Skincare’s Defying Gravity Eye Lifting Cream is also fantastic for brightening,” says Paley. “Then, I like to apply a primer that gives my skin a dewy finish, which allows me to decide how much makeup I want to layer on top.”

Paley loves using the Hourglass Cosmetics Vanish Airbrush Concealer in Dune and Fawn to conceal dark spots, along with Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Face Brightener Illuminating Primer. “After that, choose your color palette and go from there,” she advises. “I prefer to stick to one family of colors, like pinks or nudes, for my eyes, lips, and cheeks.” Paley particularly adores the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blushes because they give your skin a radiant look, no matter which shade you choose. To finish, Paley suggests setting your face with a setting powder like HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder.

6. Bronzy Babe

This bronzy, blushy, dewy look is simply stunning and can be worn year-round. “I particularly love seeing a dewy face in the winter—it stands out more than a matte finish and gives the wearer a soft, timeless appearance,” says Bames.

For this look, it’s important to ensure your skin is well-hydrated and free from dryness or flakes. Bames prefers using Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation as her base, followed by the Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer to hide any imperfections.

Next, apply a neutral eyeshadow shade—Bames loves the Hourglass Voyeur Eyeshadow Sticks for this. To add some extra shine, she suggests layering the Morphe 2 Gloss Pop Face & Eye Gloss over the eyelids, brow bones, and the inner corners of the eyes.

For a dramatic finish, Bames recommends false lashes like the Kiss Looks So Natural Lash Shy, along with the Morphe Definer Dual-Ended Brow Pencil & Spoolie to shape the brows. For the rest of the face, she applies the Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer in the hollows of the cheeks and the Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter for a glowing touch.

To complete the look, focus on the lips. Bames lines them with Morphe Cosmetics Lip Pencil, then fills in with Dripglass Drenched High Pigment Lip Gloss for a full, glossy finish.

7. Smokey Cat Eye

This is a modern twist on the traditional cat eye, perfect for those chilly, seductive winter evenings.

To start, you'll need your favorite eyeliner pencil and a small flat brush. "I call this technique my ‘sketch & stretch!’" says Giglio. "My go-to eyeliner is the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner pencils—they’re creamy, allowing for smooth application, but they also stay put. They’re rich in color and come in a range of shades. I recommend picking a color that enhances your eye color or sticking with classic black or brown."

Next, sketch out the cat-eye shape that works best for your eye type. Giglio’s tip: start with the wing, drawing it while keeping your eyes open and looking straight ahead. "This gives you a clearer idea of how the line will sit when your eyes are open," she explains. "Don’t worry about making the line perfect at first—you’ll smooth it out using a brush. For this, I recommend a flat brush like the Katie Jane Hughes x Spectrum Brush #20."

If you need to refine the shape, use pointed mini cotton buds and some micellar water, like Bioderma, to clean up the edges. Finish off with a volumizing mascara like Esum The Mascara for lush lashes.

8. Glitter Girly

Nothing brightens up a winter makeup look or boosts your mood like a sparkling, vibrant eye. To begin, make sure your skincare is on point, especially your eye cream. "The COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream is a top pick for me because it’s light but packs a punch in terms of brightening and firming," says Paley. "Thrive Causemetics also offers amazing Infinity Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks in six shimmer shades, perfect for any look, whether it’s bright blue, bronze, or deep cocoa." If you’re craving more glitter, top off with your favorite formula. Paley swears by the Dose of Colors eyeshadow palettes for their rich, shimmery shades that are perfect for layering. If you're going all out with a bold glitter eye, balance the rest of your face with neutral lips and cheeks.

9. Lots of Lash

Sometimes you want to make a statement without overcomplicating things—voluminous lashes can do just that. To make your lashes stand out, start by evening out your eyelids with a matte or subtle shimmer eyeshadow. "Pick a shade that complements your skin tone without standing out too much," recommends Giglio. "I’ve been using the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks, which are super easy to apply and last all day long."

Next, line your inner lash rims with a pencil to create the illusion of fuller lashes at the roots. Giglio prefers the Westman Atelier Eye Love You Eye Pencils, as they are firm yet precise, allowing for controlled application.

Finish the look by layering mascara on both top and bottom lashes. "The Stila Huge Extreme Lash Mascara is perfect for giving intense volume, and you can keep layering without worrying about flaking," Giglio shares. "For balance, add a natural flush with Ciele Blush + Protect SPF 50 and use some on your lips for a soft, wearable lip color."

10. Popping Pout

This look is all about making a bold lip statement, but not necessarily with a traditional red. Giglio emphasizes that vibrant shades aren’t just for summer! To achieve this look, it’s essential to prep your lips before applying color. "Exfoliate with the Buxom Power-Full Lip Scrub," she suggests. "It's super easy to use and leaves your lips feeling smooth and refreshed once wiped off."

Next, hydrate your lips with a rich balm, such as the Goldfaden MD Lip Therapy, allowing it to sit for a minute to fully absorb the moisture. Once your lips are prepped, choose your perfect lip color—Giglio swears by the Haus Labs Le Monster Lip Crayon. "Pick a shade that complements your skin tone. For this look, try Cerise Matte—it's a fantastic twist on your classic red," says Giglio. "This crayon's sharp tip works perfectly as a lip liner, and the side helps fill in the lips with ease." These crayons glide on smoothly and stay in place. To round off the look, add a flush of color to your cheeks for a cohesive feel.