You complain about this refrain all winter season. Now, ‘I’m Cold’ is the latest makeup trend to take TikTok by storm, so much so that #IoFreddoMakeup has garnered over 134 million mentions to date.
Just like leaning into a sunburned look in summer, this winter means embracing what the cold naturally does to your skin, Rudolph red nose and all. The good news? If you don’t really like braving the cold, you can recreate the trend with a handful of products and a technique that’s easier than ever.
Since eyes and brows have taken center stage in recent years, many are excited that blush is making a comeback. “As a professional MAC makeup artist in New York City in the late ’90s, I remember this blush trend during Fashion Week, and now it’s back in a very fun and modern way,” said makeup artist Erica Taylor . “After all, the fastest way to lift your complexion and lift your face is with blush – it’s the ideal solution for everyday complexion wear.”
Fortunately, it’s easy to do. Skin preparation will be important for this look; you want to look naturally red and rosy, not dry and covered in dry patches. And since winter is usually synonymous with dry skin (you can thank drier air and less water intake for that), it’s going to be really important to step up your hydration and opt for moisturizing products where you can.
One way to make sure your skin is hydrated is to choose a hydrating primer. Taylor recommends one that contains glycerin and blurring properties to ensure a clean, velvety matte finish. You can then work to neutralize any redness on your skin with a green concealer. This may seem counterintuitive, but famous makeup artist Neil Scibelli she said that covering existing redness on the skin allows blush to be strategically placed on areas Which are these in reality designed to create the “I’m cold” look. Not to mention, it will have a smoother (read: smudge-free) end result.
Now is the time to blush. If you have a cool undertone, Scibelli recommends choosing a shade of pink, berry or mauve, as these tones complement blue tones well. If your skin is warm, she said go for deeper corals, peaches and hot pinks. For deeper skin tones, a magenta, deep wine or rich coral will do the trick.
There’s no need to layer multiple blush colors here—this is an easy trend that doesn’t need a lot to be effective, she said. film and television make-up artist Kerrin Jackson. Plus, if you add more colors, you could end up with a muddy mess, she said. Either way, Taylor said, you can top off your blush with a frosted or pearlescent highlighter to give your skin an illuminating effect.
Blush placement is also important here. Using circular motions, apply the blush strategically high apples on the cheeks and the tip of the nose, Taylor advised. You’ll also want to make sure your blush hits the outer part of your cheeks, where they would naturally be flushed from the cold, Jackson said. “You want to hit the highest points in the middle third of your face, that’s the area that’s exposed when you’re in the air,” he said.
As for tools: For powder blushes, choose a round brush with dense bristles for denser application or a fluffy brush with longer bristles for a more diffuse look. If you choose to use a cream or liquid blush (which Scibelli recommends for winter), use the warmth of your fingers to apply the product and blend upwards and outwards into the skin.
Complete your look with a touch of blush on your cupid’s bow to accentuate your pout. You can also add a touch of the same shade on the lids for a monochromatic look. “For a more dewy glow, use a little powder highlighter all over your cheeks and lids,” said Scibelli.
Read on to discover some products that will help you achieve that “I’m cool” makeup look, from a multi-gloss shimmer stick to easy-to-blend liquid eyeshadow.
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ultra
A cream blush and a lipstick
REM Beauty’s Eclipse Blush and Lips are multi-tasking. Available in 10 shades from soft pink to burgundy, this creamy formula is easy to build and to intervene. Plus, it’s formulated with jojoba seed oil and grapefruit extracts to make sure your skin stays hydrated (yes, even in the dry winter months).
$18 at Ulta

Walmart
A soothing color corrector
Scibelli is a fan of Neutrogena Clear Coverage Green Color Correcting Concealer because it helps “soothe the skin because it neutralizes any existing redness,” she said. You’ve got niacinamide to thank for that, plus the fact that it’s oil- and fragrance-free means it won’t add to any irritation your skin is already experiencing.
$14 from Walmart

More polished
A skin-like gel-cream blush
Glossier’s Cloud Paint blush earned Jackson’s stamp of approval for its natural skin look. “This makes it look like the redness is coming from under the skin and not from above it,” she said. This is thanks to the buildable formula (which goes sheer and looks more and more red the more you layer) and blending pigments, which reduce the appearance of pores.
$20 a Glossier

Sephora
A soft and flexible brush
The Make Up For Ever 160 Blusher Brush is big, but not too big. “The brushes are longer, so there’s more flexibility when applying the product, but the rounded ends allow for more control when applying the cheek color,” Jackson said. The end result: you can work quickly and accurately, but still create a soft cheek that screams, “I’m cold.”
$45 at Sephora

Amazonia
A moisturizing tinted lip oil
Catrice Cosmetics Powerful 5 Glossy Lip Oil is formulated with a blend of hyaluronic acid and avocado, coconut and almond oils to relieve dry, chapped lips. Plus, it’s compact and easy to transport from trail to trail for on-the-go application. Choose the shade Raspberry Glow: adapts to the natural pH of your lips for a beautiful frozen look.
$7 on Amazon

A hybrid between blush and highlighter
If you’re looking for just one product, The Lip Bar’s Shimmering Powder Blush will become your winter go-to. The formula is infused with ultrafine pearls that transform a dull complexion into a natural glow. It feels weightless on the skin (never cakey or dry) and has such an opaque pigment that it will hold up just as well in treacherous rain and winter snowstorms. It comes in three shades to suit all skin tones.
$14 at The Lip Bar

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