How to Nail the TikTok ‘Cold Girl’ Makeup Look with Essence

Winter is coming and you know what that means: it’s time to embrace our ultimate cold girl makeup tutorial. Ever notice how good your skin looks when you’ve just come in from the cold? That natural-looking flush! That subtle rosy glow! The touch of frost on your lids! This look is all about achieving that après ski vibe that looks effortless this time of year. If you’ve always wanted to try a cold-weather makeup tutorial, get ready because we’re bringing it (and on a budget). It’s so easy and you only need a few key makeup ingredients.

Is Your Skin Ready for Its Closeup?

Your assignment for achieving the cold girl makeup look is to start with a natural yet polished complexion. Give your pores a disappearing act by applying a mattifying poreless primer to your skin first. Let it do its thing by giving it ample time to absorb into your skin fully before applying foundation overtop. Next, treat your face to a lightweight matte foundation or tinted moisturizer to give your skin a nice, even finish. For a natural effect, apply it to any blemishes, discoloration or areas of the face that need evening out. Remember, the look you’re going for is natural not overly done.

Blush is a Must for the Cold Girl Makeup Aesthetic

If you haven’t gotten heavy handed with your blush, is it even a cold girl makeup look? Sadly, no. Blush is the one product that’s crucial to achieving this viral blush look. While you can use a powder or liquid formula (or both!), the key is in the placement. Our fave way to get the look is with this highly-pigmented soft matte blush. Its sponge applicator ensures a quick and easy application that you can totally customize. Dab the color along your cheeks, nose, and underneath the eyes too. This is not the time to be shy with your application! You want your blush to have a presence that mimics the actual flush you get from being out in the cold. 

Go For Frosty Lids and a Strong, Clean Brow

A touch of frosted shadow and clean, polished brows will take your cold girl makeup to elite status. Think quiet luxury! The fastest way to have well-groomed brows that don’t look overly done is with clear gel mascara. Simply brush this formula through your brows for a natural and polished look that won’t compete with your blush’s attention. Add a hint of a frosted shadow to your eyes using a shimmery neutral shade. This liquid shadow tint is perfect because it’s long-lasting and water-based so it dries down like a powder. Concentrate the color on your lids and inner eye corners to bring some light into your eyes.

Keep it Soft and Simple on Your Lips

For the cold girl aesthetic makeup look, you’ll want to keep your lips more low-key. The best thing you can do for your winter pout is to keep it soft and shiny (read: not chapped!). For this, you’ll need a glossy butter balm. Choose a tint that’s close to your natural lip shade for best results and keep it on you at all times! For a more nourishing and shiny effect, grab this super balm glossy treatment. It contains mega moisturizers like shea butter and vitamin E and leaves your lips hyper-hydrated for up to 10 hours.