Makeup Tips for Winter Seasons

With cool, crisp undertones and striking contrast, Winters shine in bold, icy tones that leave other seasons washed out. Whether you're a Bright, True, or Deep Winter, this guide will help you lean into your natural drama without softening your edge.

Bright Winter

Bright Winters have cool-neutral undertones with high contrast and clarity. Your coloring is sharp, clean, crisp, and vivid. Keep makeup bright, cool, and crisp; avoid anything muted or overly warm, which will dull your natural brightness. Since Bright Winters border the Spring seasons, you’ll be able to borrow some tips from Bright Springs if you want something slightly warmer and lighter.

Foundation: Flawless and Neutral-Cool

Stick to light to medium coverage with a neutral or slightly cool undertone. Avoid yellow-heavy or overly dewy finishes that muddy your clear coloring.

• Cool-neutral undertone

• Medium coverage

• Matte

  
  

Lips: Bold and Cool

Bright Winters can rock bold shades like no other (well, maybe Bright Spring)! True reds, cool pinks, fuchsia, and bright purple can all look stunning on you. Avoid shades that are too muted or earthy since they’ll wash you out.

• Bright red

• True red

• Cool pink

• Fuchsia

• Bright Purple

  
  

Eyes: Clean Definition

A classic black eyeliner looks great on you. You can also experiment with some colored liners like cobalt, emerald, pink, and purple. Avoid brown eyeliners, as they might look too warm or muddy on you.

• Eyeliner/Mascara: Black

  
  

Blush/Bronzer: Fresh and Cool

As a cool season, you’re better off using blush over bronzers, which can make you look muddy. Light pinks, cool roses, and icy fuchsias flatter you.

• Blush: Cool rose, icy fuchsia, red, light pink.

• Bronzer: N/A

  
  

Eyeshadow: Cool and Bright

As a bright season, you can really experiment with eyeshadows like no other. Just make sure the colors lean more cool over warm. Stick to icy silver, crisp white, jewel tones, and navy. Avoid anything muted, warm, or earthy.

• Colors: Navy, emerald, purple, icy silver, crisp white, black

True Winter

True Winters are the definition of icy contrast: pure cool undertones, striking features, and sharp clarity. Your makeup can be bold, high-contrast, and unapologetically cool. Avoid warm or muted shades; they clash with your icy palette.

Foundation: Neutral to Cool Perfection

Go for medium to full coverage with a cool undertone. Matte or natural finish works best; warmth in the base makes you look orange.

• Cool undertone

• Medium coverage

• Matte or natural finish

  
  

Lips: Classic Cool Drama

True Winter owns cool reds, deep berries, fuchsia, and plum shades. Avoid anything too warm-toned or muted. Matte or satin textures work perfectly.

• Colors: Cool red, deep berry, soft fuchsia, plum, deep red, cool pink

  
  

Eyes: Sharp and Striking

A classic crisp black liner and mascara are your best friends and make your eyes pop. You can also try charcoal, navy, or grey for a softer look, but avoid brown liners and mascaras, as they can look a bit muddy on you.

• Eyeliner/Mascara: Black

  
  

Blush/Bronzer: Cool and Controlled

Cool pinks, berry red, and icy rose blush look amazing on you. Bronzer usually looks unnatural; contour with a cool taupe instead if you must.

• Blush: Red, cool pink, berry red, icy rose

• Bronzer: N/A

  
  

Eyeshadow: Cool, Icy, and Dramatic

Icy greys, silver, navy, jewel tones, and black work beautifully. Avoid warm oranges, browns, and golds.

Deep Winter

Deep Winters have medium-cool undertones, high contrast, and deeper coloring. You look best in rich and cool coloring, nothing too light. Since you border the autumn season, you might be able to borrow some makeup tips from Deep Autumn if you’re looking for a slightly warmer and earthier look.

Foundation: Full Coverage with Depth

Opt for medium to full coverage with neutral to cool undertones. Matte or semi-matte finishes enhance your striking depth.

• Cool to neutral undertone

• Medium to full coverage

• Matte or semi-matte finish

  
  

Lips: Bold and Dark

You shine in deep berries, blackened reds, wine, and plum. Light or warm lipsticks fall flat. Matte, satin, or even lacquer finishes all work.

• Colors: Deep berry, deep red, wine, plum

  
  

Eyes: Dramatic Definition

Deep black, charcoal, navy, or even forest green can define your eyes. Avoid soft browns – they’re too weak against your intensity.

• Eyeliner/Mascara: Black, navy, plum, deep green

  
  

Blush/Bronzer: Intense but Cool

Rich cool berries, plum, or deep pinks flatter you best. Bronzer is risky – stick to subtle contouring in cool tones instead of warmth.

• Blush: Deep red, deep pink, rich plum

• Bronzer: Cool undertoned

  
  

Eyeshadow: Deep, Cool, and Bold

Jewel tones like sapphire, emerald, amethyst, and deep grey shine on you. Black, navy, and plum also work. Avoid warm golds, oranges, or tans.

You thrive in cool, crisp, and high-contrast shades. Your makeup should emphasize drama, clarity, and boldness. Avoid warmth, muddiness, and muted earthy tones – they kill your sharpness.

When unsure, lean into fuchsia over coral, ruby red over brick, silver over gold, and jet black over brown. Your best makeup highlights your frosty edge.

For further insights into your unique color season, explore our resources on personal color analysis. Embrace your individuality and express yourself confidently through fashion and beauty choices.