Winter Beauty Foundation Tips
Cold, dry winter weather can make even oily complexions look downright parched. Skin becomes more sensitive, perhaps even a little flaky and itchy. And makeup, especially foundation, just doesn’t look right. Instead of a flawless makeup application, foundation “grabs” onto every dry flake, creating a patchy (and aging) mess. Our skin cells aren’t what they used to be, but that’s the beauty of aging! Of course, there are basics to keep in mind when coping with aging, dry winter skin. In fact, we talked about it in this post and this post. Basically, drink more water than usual. Try a collagen supplement. Invest in a humidifier. But is there anything else you can do to help avoid that dry foundation look when the temperatures start to drop? You bet! Just check out a few of my favorite winter foundation tips for fresh, healthy and glowing routine.
10 Foundation Tips For Dry Skin
Find a good, lightweight cleanser.
Any proper skin care routine begins with a cleanser. Choosing a cleanser that works for you depends on your skin type. What one person may benefit from, another may not. But if you have a cleanser that makes your skin feel tight once you rinse it off, you’ve got the wrong one. My go-to cleanser is Colleen Rothschild’s Radiant Cleansing Balm. It’s creamy and luxurious, working to hydrate your skin rather than strip it.
Go heavy on a good moisturizer.
If you have super dry skin, now is the time to layer your moisturizers and oils for extreme hydration. This is a crucial step when you prep your skin before applying foundation. My favorite duo is the Rich Cream and the Face Oil by Augustinus Bader. The moisturizer gives your skin a necessary dose of hyaluronic acid, and the oil elevates the whole experience.
Invest in the products you use.
The products you use when applying makeup on dry skin are just as important as the makeup itself—no matter if you prefer a makeup sponge or a classic foundation brush. The key is finding a sponge that won’t peel off as you pat your foundation on, or a brush that won’t lose bristles as you blend.
Opt for a hydrating primer.
Applying a face primer is the secret ingredient for a radiant and flawless foundation routine. When you have dry skin, it’s important to look for a hydrating primer that’s tacky enough to grab onto your foundation, but not so sticky that it emphasizes dry spots. This Retinol Supreme Eye Serum is great for combating fine lines and wrinkles, and Glossier has a fabulous Moisturizing Balance Primer for all over application.
Choose a foundation that moisturizes, not dries.
If you’re using a foundation that guarantees a long-lasting formula, it’s time to swap it out. This is far too harsh of a foundation for dry skin in the winter. Look for creamy sticks or liquids, as these will give you a more dewy, hydrating wear. It looks much more natural and a lot less cakey! This full coverage foundation from Charolette Tilbury is one of my favorites. Make sure to look at this post for some more of the best lit-from-within foundations.
The type of concealer you use matters!
Similar to the foundation you use, you want to look for a concealer with nourishing properties so it doesn’t hug onto fine lines and wrinkles. This concealer stick from Westman Atelier is creamy, buildable, and loaded with ingredients to moisturize and soften your makeup routine. For more on applying under eye concealer, check out this post.
Switch out your powdered products for something creamy.
When you’re looking for makeup products that will add a little boost of color back into your foundation routine, you can’t go wrong with contour and blush! That being said, choosing cream-based formulas is important for avoiding that dry and flakey look. There’s a reason that they’re all the rage in the makeup world! The Cloud Paint Duo blush glides on easy and blends like butter. The Face Trace Contour Stick has a similar consistency with just as good of results.
Be mindful of which setting powder you use.
If you want that last-all-day result, setting powder can help you achieve that! Even if you’re not worried about an all-day-wear, applying setting powder is crucial for keeping your makeup in place in certain areas—like under your eyes. But, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind. Look for a radiant, light-reflective powder, like this one from Laura Mercier. Instead of going in and packing it on, use a big brush and a light dusting application. This helps set your makeup, without setting it into all of those lovely fine lines and creases.
Keep a good setting spray around.
Using a high-quality setting spray when your foundation application is complete is key for preventing makeup for setting into dry patches throughout the day. One of my favorite setting sprays is the Hydro Grip Dewy Spray. It uses hyaluronic acid with niacinamide for a nonsticky, dewy finish. Instead of it drying your foundation out, it helps it look radiating, dewy, and beautiful.
Use a hydrating facial mist throughout the day.
You know how people often use to run to the powder room to fix their makeup, but it was just a quick application of powder with a sponge? That doesn’t work for those of us with dry skin. We’re swapping out a powder touch up for a facial mist one instead! This is a great product for those moments when your face needs a little extra moisture, especially after long-wear.
These makeup tips will take your foundation from dry and dehydrated, to dewy and saturated.
There you have it! 10 foundation tips for dry skin that will completely transform your complexion. Gone are the days where we feel like we have to clean off all of our makeup and reapply, you just need the right products and you’re set!
Looks really great!
Do you have your primer on under the tinted moisturizer? And then is the tinted moisturizer all you use for foundation or do you then put on regular foundation over it and rest of makeup (blush, etc).
Hi Monica! I used moisturizer, then skin tint, and that’s it! GREAT coverage! Erin xo
I used to LOVE philosophy’s purity made simple. Then I started being more selective with ingredients and parabens are on my no way list. Bummer, because it is a great cleanser. For dry skin you should totally try the Nugg Beauty masks. The deep hydration moisture boost mask is SO good!
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! I am grateful for your feedback… Erin xo