How to switch up your makeup routine for winter

"Just as we update our wardrobes when the seasons change, it's important to switch up your beauty routine as well," says celebrity makeup artist Martin Younan, who has worked with Winnie Harlow, Brad Pitt and Cindy Crawford. Not only does the light around us become generally more grey than golden, but the lack of humidity takes its toll on our faces, too. 

"Skin is definitely more dehydrated with heaters pumping and with the cold winds," explains Pati Dubroff, spokesperson for Winners beauty, and a celebrity makeup artist who counts Priyanka Chopra and Margot Robbie as regulars. "For both myself and my clients, I [recommend] a lot more moisture on the skin." To help you get set for the season, we asked the pros to tell us what products we need to add to our makeup bags, and which ones should take a break from until springtime. 

First, step up your skincare

Although it's not technically makeup, both Younan and Dubroff stress the importance of skincare as the underpinning for great makeup application. "Skincare should absolutely change in the winter," says Younan. "I usually apply up to three serums on my clients before any red-carpet event." He prefers serums over rich creams because they tend to absorb into skin better. Dubroff likes to add massage to the moisturizing step: "It's really important to give skin some touch to get blood pumping — whether that's with your hands or with a face tool," she says. "It makes such a difference, especially in the winter when skin is extra sad."

Dual-Action Jade Face Roller, $44, Province Apothocary

Get more from your foundation

It's common to opt for tinted moisturizer or oil-control foundation in the summer, when the humidity keeps our skin glowing naturally. But when temperatures drop, it's time for an update both in terms of coverage and skin-boosting ingredients. "Look for foundations with hydrators or built-in serums," advises Younan. His new favourite? "My kit is full of compact foundations from Japan and Korea these days," he says, describing the innovative format; a foundation-soaked sponge sits inside a compact case. "They have [skin-treating] ingredients in them, and the textures are flawless."

The Face Shop Mineral Finish CC Intense Cover Cushion, $29, Nature Collection

Trade your bronzer for blush

It can be tempting to try to keep your tan going all winter long, but orange-y brown bronzers won't deliver the liveliness you're after. "I like a blush that has a bit more vibrancy than a bronze because it will make your skin look more awake," says Dubroff. "Depending on your skin tone, you might get a little pink or red in the cheeks when you go outside, so find things that mimic that colour rather than fight against it." Younan concurs, sticking to cream blushes for winter, or even lipstick on cheeks: "I do love putting it on with my finger, and then dabbing over it with a Beautyblender that's been sprayed with a hydrating mist."

Marcelle Cream Blush in Pink Paradise, $12.49, Shoppers Drug Mart

Brighten — but don't sparkle

Find your complexion suddenly more dull than dewy? "In the winter, you have to fake your highlight a bit more, you've got to add it in," says Dubroff. And while it can be tempting to start strobing away, not all highlighters are winter-ready. In Younan's opinion, "Shimmery metallics look so wrong when the light is so grey outside." Instead, he prefers what he calls "soft-focus brightening," a more subtle, diffused illumination, and recommends blending a brightening powder down the bridge of your nose, under your eyes and along the tops of your cheekbones to achieve just the right radiance.

Guerlain Météorites Perles, $77, Hudson's Bay

Lean on tinted lip balm

Though bright red lipstick is often thought of as an iconic winter beauty statement, dry lips can be a serious roadblock to achieving the look. "If you're wearing dense lipstick and have any chapped bits on your lips, you're going to see it and it's going to look crusty," says Dubroff. Instead, she turns to tinted lip balms for a simultaneous hit of colour and softening. For those still craving bolder hues, build up from the balm: "If you want more impact, you can layer lipstick on top, or use it after you've applied the lipstick for a little moisture help." 

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Icon, $32, Sephora

Play with eyeshadow

Good news: The drier, cooler air does have its perks for your makeup routine: "Winter is a time when you can use powdery eyeshadow because it will stay better, whereas in the summer, it can be trickier to get it to stay put," says Dubroff. "I especially love jewel tones when I'm playing with colour on the eyes." She recommends "grounding" any bright tones by first blending a taupe or brown shade in your crease and along your lash line. Then, go ahead and experiment with bold shades — something that Younan highly recommends, too: "You need that pop of colour and brightness in the winter, otherwise, makeup tends to look washed out."

L'Oréal Paris La Petite Palette Eye Shadow, $13.99, Shoppers Drug Mart

Caitlin Kenny is a Toronto-based writer and editor with 10 years of experience covering beauty, style and health across Canada's top media outlets. Follow her on Instagram @caitlinken_insta.