3 makeup principles that will improve your kit this winter

If autumn's makeup trends taught us anything, it's that timelessness matters, especially when you'd rather dedicate your time to more cosy endeavours in the cooler months. 

So now that winter has well and truly arrived, the motivation for updating one's makeup bag isn't makeup trends in the traditional sense, but makeup principles that will carry us through the season with ease. 

Which is why we spoke at length with celebrity makeup artist, Ash K Holm, and editorial makeup artist, Mia Connor, to discover the ways we can truly look our best in the cooler months, without sacrificing too much of our time and energy in the process. 

And despite the fact that Holm hails from Los Angeles, while Connor calls the Gold Coast home, the pair could agree on three key makeup principles everyone should be following in their own routines.

Keep scrolling to discover the three things Connor and Holm both agree no one should be compromising on this winter. 

1/ Good makeup starts with good skin

According to Holm, velvety matte skin with a radiant finish (think: controlled glow) is the goal this winter — "not overly dewy, but skin that looks naturally smooth, and lit from within". 

"Start with skincare — always," she advises. "Layer your moisture so your makeup sits beautifully all day."

"It’s time to double down on the hydration game and exfoliation routine to create the perfect makeup base," Connor tells BEAUTYcrew. "As always, skin is everything, and there’s a huge shift to multi-use products where skin care ingredients meet makeup."

The makeup artist swears by the Lèbase InstantGlow Skin Serum ($58 from Lèbase) — either on its own or under foundation — for lifting and brightening skin through the dry winter months. While, Holm opts for hydrating primers, creamy foundations, and balmy blushes that keep the skin from looking tight or dry.

"I love mixing a little cream highlighter into foundation for a subtle glow that doesn’t sit on top of the skin," she explains. "And a hydrating setting spray with skin-loving ingredients can lock in your look without mattifying your glow." 

2/ Your lip combination is the most important part of your winter wardrobe

Great news, if you're just as obsessed with lip combinations as we are, you'll be happy to discover that it's the most vital aspect of your makeup this winter. 

It's the perfect time to try bold, blurred lips in rich berry, wine, and chocolate shades with a soft, diffused edge, says Holm. 

Try products like Laneige's Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serum in 'Chocolate Frosting' or 'Blueberry Fill' ($30 from Sephora), or YSL's Loveshine Wet Shine Lipstick in 'Spicy Affair' or 'Scenic Brown' ($72 from Sephora), which will leave you with the kind of subtle lip colour that looks like you’ve just been sipping on something warm.

But you can forget about drying liquid lipsticks this season. 

"They can exaggerate dry patches and make lips look dehydrated," warns Holm. "Instead, go for moisturising lip formulas — like a satin lipstick or nourishing gloss. Your makeup should work with your winter skin, not against it."

Speaking of which, Connor wants to remind everyone to prep their lips properly with a lip scrub and some lip balm — and don't skimp on lip liner either.

"A lip pencil does wonders to increase lip size, even out symmetrical differences and ensure even your nude lip moments aren’t being lost by melting into your face," she explains. 

3/ Less is more when it comes to makeup

The overly sculpted, heavy contour look is taking a backseat this winter, Holm tells BEAUTYcrew. 

Instead we're focused on creating a softer, more wearable sculpt (read: less harsh lines, more seamless blending), so we'd recommend investing in a decent complexion brush like Hourglass' Ambient Soft Glow Foundation Brush ($86 from MECCA).

Plus, we're exchanging the ultra-glossy, laminated brow trend for more natural, feathered brows — "[they] still have shape, but feel less extreme", Holm explains. 

She also recommends swapping mattifying powders out of your kit for cream-based complexion products, as they can exaggerate dry patches. Try: Jones Road's Miracle Balm ($70 from Jones Road) or Merit's Flush Balm ($48 from Merit Beauty) and Bronze Balm ($48 from Merit Beauty)

"Dry skin is usually self-setting and over-powdering this skin type can make the skin look less youthful and flat," Connor explains.

However, if you're skin is on the oily side, using a touch of a lightweight finishing powder like Laneige's Neo Essential Blurring Finish Powder ($38 from W Cosmetics) — which is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, and soothing pine leaf and mint — is a great option for taking down shine, without minimising your skin's moisture levels in the process. 

Main image credit: @ninapark

Looking to update more than just your makeup bag this winter? These are the top winter haircut and colour trends to try in 2025.