Celebrity Makeup Artists Just Told Me This Winter’s Biggest Trends

Winter means many things—another season of fabulous coats to add to your closet, drinking your favorite warm beverages, and cozying up in front of a fireplace. If you love makeup like I do, it also means a season filled with fun and daring makeup trends. Winter makeup is full of opportunities, whether you want to try a bold lip for your company’s holiday party, a blush-forward look for your friend group’s white elephant exchange, or a sparkly smoky eye for New Year’s Eve. 

This winter is all about bringing back the ’90s and Y2K trends, according to celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz, founder of Color May Vary. I talked to Loiz and celebrity makeup artist Jen Tioseco, who gave me the inside scoop on all things winter makeup. Read on to find out the trends and start re-creating them before everyone else.

“I definitely think we’re going to see a lot of draped blush this winter,” says Tioseco. “The technique of putting your blush on your cheeks and temples isn’t new in the editorial world, but it’s a fun one to welcome to mainstream beauty.”

“Rich metallic washes of color on the lids for a subtle yet playful shimmer. I’m especially into a silver wash for a cool icy effect. Pat Mcgrath Mothership palettes are my go-to for these types of looks,” Tioseco says.

“Burgundy will be making its usual appearance this winter,” Tioseco predicts. “There’s nothing I love more than a bold statement lip to stand out at a Christmas party! Chanel’s Rouge Coco Flash in the color Noir Modern is impactful yet has a hydrating finish.”

“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. [Try] glitter shadows or eyeliners and stick on pearls and crystals to accent eyes,” says Loiz.

Experimentation will be big this winter. “The 2000s are still making a heavy comeback, so expect to see some frosty blue shadows,” says Tioseco. 

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

Grunge is having a bit of a renaissance right now. To include the rock-star trend in your makeup routine, Tioseco recommends going for “angsty grunge eyeliner paired with barely there skin.”

Remember coating your lips with Lancôme Juicy Tubes before going anywhere? You might want to stock up on gloss again. Ultra-glossy lips will be everywhere this winter. 

Brows are still the star of the show, but this season, opt for more of a natural take on your arches. Loiz says you can expect to see a lot of “full and fluffy brows, not overly drawn brows.” Brow pencils and brow gel will be your best friends. 

Loiz explains that this season, we will see “soft, romantic shades of blush to keep skin looking fresh and healthy” and “touches of creamy highlighter pressed into cheekbones to add dimension.” Go for shades that enhance your skin’s natural glow to look effortless.

Up next: These Makeup-Skincare Hybrids Are Basically All I Wear on My Face These Days