This year’s winter makeup trends are a return to form. Facebeats are back and better than ever, so we’re happy to lean into the festive, colorful, and fun vibes of the holiday season. Winter is right around the corner and makeup experts have started predicting the biggest seasonal beauty trends, so get ready to see lots of glitter, colourful eyeliner, rosy blush, and more.

This winter has a lot to live up to. Last year, we skipped the social gatherings, the dinners and the catch-ups to stay home. This means that winter 2021 has a lot to make up for! When it comes to our look, our makeup needs a moment to shine now that we have real dates in the diary to show up for. And while of course, we love the classics – velvety red lips and classic black liner – we also want to keep things fresh and interesting. We love a twist on timeless trends and intriguing accents to mix things up.

These are the winter makeup trends you need to know for 2021

winter

Bratty lips

Winter season automatically calls for matte red or merlot lips and suede finishes, but it’s great to see the look inverted. The bratty lip trend (high gloss, which gives the illusion of a bigger pout) can be paired with signature winter shades, to keep the colour element the same while switching up the finish for something glossier, fresher and more unexpected. You can always use your fave winter lipstick, then add a clear gloss top coat.

Frosty Inner Corners

Glamour Magazine advices to spice up your go-to cat eye with a bit of baby blue (or your pastel colour of choice) in the inner corners. It will instantly brighten up your eyes and it’s a super-easy way to wear color that doesn’t feel intimidating. For even more dimension, use a deeper version of the shade for your liner.

Chic cheecks

Try to put some cream color on the cheeks: it adds a pop of glow but also hydrates dry winter skin. Cream colors are also extremely easy to use and apply anytime you need to give yourself a swipe of champagne radiance.

No-makeup makeup

It’s not a pun – one of the coolest trends this winter is to use your makeup to look as if you’re not wearing any makeup at all. This winter highlighter and lip gloss should be your new BFF. Instead of the super-shimmery formulas of the past years, grab moisturizing formulas that’ll give your skin a dewy finish and a healthy glow—even in the dead of winter. Steer clear of thick, full coverage foundations for this look.

Tinted moisturizers, BB and CC creams, and skin tints give your skin some extra hydration and still allow some of your freckles, redness, and imperfections to shine through. The best part of this look? Bushy, unruly brows are both accepted and encouraged. Enhance the beauty of your natural brows by simply using a brow gel with fibers and brushing them up and into place.

The skin is the star of the show with this look, so it’s okay to go light on the lashes. Curl your lashes and apply a brown mascara to the top and bottom lashes, or really go for the natural look and skip mascara altogether.

Golden light

While your instinct may be to go for cooler tones in winter, a wash of golden shadow is a pretty reminder of sunny days to come. Peachy blush, champagne highlighter, and a pinky nude lip complete the look.

Metallic smokey eye

Let’s be honest: The smoky eye transcends trends. But the most current take involves extra color, extra shimmer, and just being all-around extra. This winter’s makeup trends are all about mixing up the norm, so don’t be afraid to play around with bright, vivid colors and fun textures and finishes from your eyeshadow palette. It’s like a little mosaic on your eyelids. This look offers a mix of glam and grunge makeup. It’s got the smudginess of a grungy look, but the shimmer and drama of full glam.

Embellished eyes

It’s still all about the eyes and clean, fresh skin, especially since we’re still having to wear masks. We can still bring a lot of focus to the eyes and have fun with different shades, textures, and shapes. You can even try glitter shadows or eyeliners and stick on pearls and crystals to accent eyes. Transform your eyelids into little festive party decorations with a swipe of chunky glitter (the quality one to avoid unnecessary eye irritation).

Bold matte lips

If gloss isn’t your thing, swing in the other direction and try bold matte lips. The matte ’90s lip, but modernised with satin-matte lipsticks with cranberry, plum, blackberry, and burgundy shades will be amazing.