9 Beauty Hacks to Try When Applying Makeup in the Winter

We all want to know the best cold-weather beauty products and bronzing beauty routines to help our skin look its best during the cold winter months, and the answer will be different for all of us depending on diet, skin tone, skin type and age. But there are a few universal truths we can all learn from when it comes to the cooler, dryer months out of the year and how they affect our skin. The good news is there are tons of hacks you can add to your makeup routine to help your skin survive this not-so-ideal time for our skin. Here are nine tips + tricks to keep your skin happy and healthy this winter.

Hack 1: Exfoliate Instead of Using a Clarifying Cleanser

Our skin can really suffer in the colder months, especially from the dry air, which can lead to breakouts. Your natural tendency may be to counteract with clarifying products, which can actually add to the problem by further drying your skin. Instead, opt for a hydrating exfoliating cleanser like Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser ($75). This all-natural line is specifically designed to nourish, protect and heal your skin, leaving it glowing and hydrated.

Hack 2: Use Oil to Moisturize Instead of a Cream

During these cold, dry winter months, our skin needs all the hydrating opportunities it can get. Moisturizing creams can be hydrating, but are typically much heavier when compared to an oil, and can clog pores. Try using an oil blended with essential oils — I'm loving Marie Veronique Rejuvenating Face Oil ($80) because it's thick and nourishing without leaving that oily finish other heavier oils can.

Hack 3: Add an Oil Primer to the Mix

This step may feel redundant because you just used an oil on your face, but it's important to know that the oil in the previous step acts as your moisturizer, while this primer creates a perfectly even canvas on which to build your makeup. I'm obsessed with Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil ($42), which is packed with 15 different essential oils designed to absorb into your skin before you apply your makeup, so your finish will be glowing and gorgeous!

Hack 4: Use Tinted Moisturizer Instead of Foundation

There are tons of hydrating foundations out there — if you have one you love, keep it! — but a lot of them can be on the heavier side. Instead, use a tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer ($44) that will hydrate and brighten while giving you solid coverage. Apply it with a brush so the product goes on more evenly.

Hack 5: Use Cream Concealers Instead of a Stick

Stick concealers are really tough to use unless they're warmed up, and this can cause your sensitive undereye area to stretch while you blend the product. Instead, go for a more soothing formula like YSL Touche Éclat Highlighter ($42). It's lightweight, creamy and has really good coverage.

Hack 6: Go for Cream Blush, Bronzer + Highlighter Instead of Powders

Tis' the season to bust out any and all cream-based makeup products. You can apply them with your fingers or a makeup brushes — I like to do both. Swipe the bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks and along your hairline, the sides of your nose and down your neckline. Blush should be applied to the apples of your cheeks and blended back toward your temples, while highlighter is applied to the bridge of your nose, your cupid's bow and between your eyebrows.

Hack 7: Opt for Brown Mascara + Light Liner Instead of Black

Unless you were blessed with naturally glowing darker skin, you can understand the battle of pale skin during the winter. One little hack you can do is grab a brown mascara rather than black, which will be softer on your not-so-tan skin.

Hack 8: Moisturize With a Tinted Lip Balm Over Lipstick

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to tinted lip treatments, but a current favorite of mine is the Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon Kit in Rose Romance ($24). Apply these babies liberally, allowing them to soak into your lips, leaving them feeling soft and kissable. Lipsticks are more challenging to wear in the winter months because they tend to be more drying.

Hack 9: Set Your Makeup With Hydrating Essential Oil Spray Over Powders

Normally, I would recommend setting your makeup with a translucent powder to keep it in place, but when you're dealing with sub-zero temps, try a hydrating essential oil mist like Laxmi Rose Water Regenerating Mist ($52) to protect your products. This will help lock in your look as well as sooth and moisturize, leaving you with a subtle, dewy glow.

Whether you are using all of these hacks as one or taking the ones that ring true to you, they are sure to help get you and your skin through the dry dull skin challenges still feeling beautiful and glowing!

Got any winter beauty hacks to share? Tweet 'em at us @BritandCo!

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