Makeup Styles and Products for Every Season

Discover the perfect makeup styles & products for every season! From summer glow to winter glam, we've got your beauty kit covered. Shine all year!

Just like the way you circulate the clothes in your wardrobe depending on the demands of the weather and changes in your coloring, so too do you need to know when it’s your go-to makeup’s season to shine, and when you should put them away to hibernate.

There are excellent reasons to update your makeup kit every season:

The amount of natural lighting differs per season. And your color choices need to adapt accordingly. For instance, colors that look merry and bold during the darker months may seem overdone in the summer.

Different weather conditions call for different makeup formulas. In spring, you’ll want waterproof makeup that won’t wash off after a running through April showers, while in summer, you’ll need makeup that won’t melt under the heat of the sun.

Skin conditions change as well. This is especially important during the winter months, when skin is more prone to drying and flaking thanks to the cold outside and the artificial heat indoors. This will mean a change in skin care routine, and the need for moisturizing face and lip makeup.

This four-part guide will help you in choosing makeup styles and products for every season.

1 - Summer

This season swathed in natural sunlight is the best time to live in bright, happy colors. Give the dark colors a rest and stock up on sunny shades of coral, gold, and peach.

Peach, apricot, and gold work with almost all skin tones, and are mainstays in summer makeup kits. You can also use powder bronzer, but keep it light and strategic: only highlight the peaks of your face naturally hit by sunlight, like your cheekbones, temples, and chin.

For your eyes, shades of mango green, khaki green, and golden green make great complements to peach and gold, topped with mascara.

On beach days, opt for nude or coral lip shades in long-wearing liquid form, and leave the lip liner at home. (Tip for your lip: when not in use, keep your lipstick from melting or running by sticking your tube in the refrigerator or cooler!)

Problems your face will face during summer:

Sweat, melting makeup, and more sweat. Use primer to hold your makeup more firmly in place, and opt for gel or stain makeup instead of powder and cream types to prevent smudging and caking.

A change in skin tone. On one hand, you've finally achieved that perfect summer glow. On the other, your usual face makeup is now several shades lighter! Remember to update your face makeup during the summer to match your hard-earned tan.

Oil-buildup. Expect oil production to increase in the heat, and keep oil blotting sheets well on hand. And stay away from oil-based foundation!

2 - Fall

Fall is the season for deep, warm colors that match the changing leaves of the season, like brown, orange, burgundy, and emerald green.

Shades of orange are appropriate for fall, and a shade that looks classy across all skin tones is copper. Try it on your eyes, and keep the look consistent with warm-toned blush and lipstick.

Another popular seasonal choice is brown. Try chestnut lipstick, paired with bronze eyes in shimmery, layered shades.

The bronzer you used in the summer doesn't have to retire just yet! Start off with gold eyeshadow and neutral lipstick, then seal the metallic look with bronzer and gold highlighter just off your cheekbones.

Problems your face will face during fall:

Sun damage. All that fun in the sun during the previous season can leave your skin rough and blotchy when fall starts. Step up your exfoliation game to remove dead skin cells before starting your fall makeup routine.

The weather starting to lose moisture. You'll learn more about problems with cold dry weather in winter, but it's best to be proactive and prepare for that as early as fall. Use moisturizer on your face, then wait five minutes to allow it to sink in before applying your base.

A dull complexion. No use hanging on to your summer tan in the autumn months, but keep your face looking dewy by brightening it up with heavy foundation in the right skin tone.

3 - Winter

Winter, when the days are shadowy and the nights are long, is the perfect season for rich and dramatic colors, like violet, brick red, and jewel tones.

Pro-tip: While it can be tempting to pile on the drama, strive to achieve a balanced look instead by choosing a feature to emphasize and going lighter on the others. For example, pair heavy jewel-toned eye shadow with a neutral shade of lipstick.

Or do it the other way! Rock dark, rich lips with pale eye colors in shades of bubbly champagne or slate gray.

For an especially festive look, match shimmery gold eyeshadow paired with glossy deep red lipstick. (Tip for your lip: 'Tis the season for moisturizing lipsticks to nourish your pout and pucker in the cold months.)

Problems your face will face during winter:

Dry, flaky skin. Harsh winter weather strips skin of moisture, leaving it dry, cracked, and flaky. Hydrate by drinking lots of water and applying moisturizing primer and foundation.

Chapped lips. The thin skin on your lips is similarly vulnerable to the cold weather. Put on a lip conditioner with vitamin E and choose glossy lipsticks instead of matte ones to hide the cracks.

A pale, pasty complexion. Goodbye sun, goodbye summer, goodbye tan. Hello, bright blush, heavy makeup, and striking, vampy looks!

4 - Spring

Spring is the season to celebrate the budding of new life, and it’s a great time to go back to nature’s roots with earth tones and blossom pinks.

Spring is also the season of rain showers! Invest in water-resistant eyeliner for the rainy season, and put the kohl liner away for now.

Play around with varying shades of brown on your eyes—there is an earth shade that's right for every skin tone and eye color. Use powder eye shadow to prevent smudging in wet weather.

Pair smoky, earthy eyes with soft pink or rose lips and cheeks. In the same way, to prevent smudging in the rain, use matte lipsticks and powder blush.

Problems your face will face during spring:

Humidity. To be true, humidity and heavy makeup do not a good combination make. Instead, go light—trade in the heavy foundation for face powder. If you must wear a full face of makeup, blend it right into your skin with a sponge so it stays intact regardless of the weather.

Raccoon eyes. The last thing you want are black mascara streaks on your cheeks when you step out in the rain! Ensure your mascara for the season is waterproof, or try to go without it if you can.

Smudged lips. Glossy, liquid lipsticks will smudge in the rain as well. Opt for matte lipsticks that are long-lasting instead.

Investing in four different sets of makeup and learning all their different formulations and types can be overwhelming in the beginning, but you’ll thank yourself for it the long run!

Choosing makeup that nourishes and protects your skin from weather damage, stands up on its own against the changing elements, and complements your seasonal wardrobe will definitely keep you looking fabulous all year round.

About Author:

M Pimentel

Bio:

M is a happily married Filipino mother to three wonderful little daughters, ages: 8 years, 5 years, and 4 months old. Her daily life is a struggle between being the Executive Content Director for Project Female and deciding who gets to watch television next. She specializes in creating and editing content for female empowerment, parenting, beauty, health/nutrition, and lifestyle. As the daughter of two very hardworking people, she was brought up with strict traditional Asian values and yet embraces modern trends like Facebook, vegan cupcakes, and the occasional singing cat video.