Winter weather is definitely not for everyone, but the cold girl makeup trend is. Makeup artists and influencers are capturing a freshly frosted look with more blush than usual, little contour, voluminous lashes, and of course, glitter everywhere. The goal is to give the face that “I just ran through a snowstorm and somehow my makeup is still intact” look. Read on to learn how to achieve this trendy look.
More about Cold Girl makeup and its creator
Zoe Kim Kenealy, the artist who created the Cold Girl makeup trend, gave her TikTok followers a detailed video tutorial on how to achieve the Frostbitten look on October 17, 2022. The video has since been viewed over 2.3 million times and the hashtag #coldgirlmakeup has over 36.4 million views.
@zoekimkenealy #greenscreenI think this is my favorite TikTok I’ve ever made even tho I felt so basic going outside and taking selfies with my Starbucks it was also the highlight of my day hehe it’s Makeup for serotonin feels and hallmark movie time! It’s the im cold it’s winter and the holidays and fall makeup look tutorial.#wintermakeup #fallmakeuplook #coldmakeup #maccosmetics #benefitcosmetics #makeupforever #wintermakeuplook ♬ august – Taylor Swift
Kenealy has been drawn to the flushed-cheeked look since she searched the internet for makeup inspiration at a young age. "Every photo of a girl with rosy cheeks in the cold weather touched me so much that I thought I'd do a TikTok attempt to recreate that look," Kenealy says. Originally inspired by fall leaves, winter fashion and a latte, Kenealy describes the cold girl makeup look as a romanticization of winter weather that's meant to make you feel warm and cozy. "For one thing, the look is contemporary and accessible, making it perfect for beginners," she says.
Kenealy says the Frostbitten look is much more than just a trend - it glorifies a common human experience. “I think one of the reasons we love TikTok so much is because we realize that we all share so many human experiences that we may have previously considered personal,” she says. “The cold girl makeup look is one of those moments.”
Create cold girl make-up yourself – follow these steps
This look is a fun way to make winter feel less uncomfortable and more festive.
Start with a matte base
With this particular makeup trend, the goal isn't to be shiny or dewy. Powder any areas where you naturally have shine. Kenealy advises you to create an even, blurred base with a powder. Blend the powder into your T-zone, under your eyes, forehead, nose and chin for a unified, matte look.
@alice_nevinCold girl makeup tutorial (my fave winter makeup)#coldgirlmakeup #winter #makeuptutorial ♬ Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Then, spritz your foundation with a setting spray to keep it smooth all day long.
Apply lots of blush
Leave your fear of rouge at the door. To achieve those frosty cheeks, Kenealy recommends combining pink and orange blush, but avoid shades that are too bold. Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it into the eye area for a flirty look. Then place the blush on the center of your nose to emphasize it. Then go over the blush with a light pink powder to smooth it out.
Play with glitter
Kenealy says the cold girl makeup look is complete after you create a matte base and apply the right blush. However, if you want to add a little shimmer to the eyelids, apply some liquid eyeliner and a silver shimmer shadow to mimic a matte look. Blend the silvery shadow on your eyelid up to your brow bone for a “fresh out of a snowball fight” look. Add a touch of glitter wherever you feel it's necessary - on the tip of the nose, the inner corners or on the chin - just make sure that the blush is still the focus of the look.
Don't forget the shine
In Kenealy's signature look, she takes a pumpkin red lipstick and casually dabs it on with her finger, giving it a raw look. You can add an extra accent with a frosty lip gloss. Gently apply the lipstick to your lips and cover them with your favorite icy gloss to mimic the soft but cold look. Complete the Frostbitten trend with your favorite mascara, a brow gel, and another coat of matte setting spray.
Conclusion: Ultimately, blush is perhaps the most important ingredient for the cold girl makeup look, but the most important thing when trying out a trend is that you have fun with it. "You never have to follow a step-by-step makeup routine, and cold girl makeup is no different," says Kenealy.
