This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Asa Conroy. Find them on Instagram at @asakayconroy. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
A makeup trend so cool it’s come back three years in a row! An iconic look for those wanting a soft winter glow. This makeup look embraces the rosy cheeks without losing feeling in your fingers or a sniffling nose. It’s safe to say the chilly girl makeup has become a staple for the winter weather. Let’s see why!
What is Chilly Girl Makeup?
We’ve called this look a few names. First it was the “I’m Cold” look and last year we called it the cold girl makeup. Others call it frosty or soft snow glam. But this year, it’s the chilly girl makeup. This look recreates the appearance of spending too much time in the freezing cold. But hold the frostbite and bring on the elegance.
Concealer is often one of the first steps, full coverage under the eyes to provide a solid canvas for the blush. Light coverage is recommended for the rest of the face. The foundation is usually a little flat, but not in a way that’s dull. A little dewy, but not too much shine that it takes away from the most important part of the look. This emphasizes the blush. Typically, it is a bright pink blush. Specifically, a coolish pink blush. Alternatively, some people find that some purplish or even orangish tones create a similar look. The blush needs to be the most impactful part of the look. So, work with your skin tone.
The eyes need shimmer. Very simple white corner highlight. Light eyeshadow across the eye, some bring their blush up to their eyes to continue the pink. Others opt for blue or white to enhance the cold look. On top of the eyeshadow/blush, place a matching blush. Silver is a great choice for blue and white. White eyeliner makes your eyes pop even more, but some go for a complementary black. Lashes and brows are natural. Makeup artists opt for a dewy lip. Leaning toward the natural side. Any simple gloss, lipstick, stain, or whatever works best for you. And that’s the whole look!
I’m Cold Makeup in 2022
@theoliviasaurusrex or Olivia Ancell showcased her version of the “I’m Cold” makeup look two years ago. As you may notice, her first product has become a staple in throughout the years, the Glowy Super Gel by Saie Beauty in the shade starglow. With the foundation and concealer, she created a wonderful base that emphasizes her blush. Additionally, she works with what she knows her skin does when it’s cold to replicate a look that is unique to her. For her eyes she really focuses on the glitter aspect with the UNLEASHIA Glitterpedia Eye Shadow Palette. In the end, Ancell’s result is cool and cozy.
Another makeup artist @ysumaya or Sumaya Yusuf provided a tutorial on how to achieve the look for darker skin tones who may not get as pink in freezing temps, but still want to be fashionably cold. She has a similar start but actually blends her concealer with a starting layer of blush. This does brighten up the area just a little bit as she continues to apply more layers of blush, highlight, and other products. This technique is perfect for making the blush pop while keeping the look cohesive. She also opts for a deep brown eye shadow which emphasizes the glitter she applies on top of it. The result is a soft and elegant winter look.
Cold Girl Makeup 2023
@fairyjadyn or Jadyn Hailey presents the change from 2022-2023. Her look begins with a light base of Nu Glow Primer, Nu Bare Look Tint, and Touche Éclat Brightening Concealer from Yves Saint Laurent focused on her cheeks. Then she applies blue mascara and a lot cherry red blush. She opts for no eyeshadow or glitter but provides an alternative to those who want to stay away from glitter, but still brings in the bright elements around the eyes and cheeks.
But the glitter is not gone forever because @darceyangel kept it for her look. She also brought back Saie Beauty’s products, but this time what seems to be their Dew Blush in cool baby pink. So, the slight shimmer of the super gel and the cool pink blush remains the same. Angel applies an additional layer of powder blush that cannot be identified but does help enhance the first round. Silvery glitter is applied to the eyes, as it should be (at least in this case) with mascara and lipstick. The look is overall natural with a touch of sparkle. The true final part of the look is the earmuffs, really puts the “coldness” over the edge.
Chilly Girl Makeup 2024
Now we’re fully in chilly girl era and @isabelleikpeme or Bella shows off her version of this look with Milk Makeups Cooling Water Jelly Tints. Bella goes for a bright pink and purplish combo for her jelly blush and lip stain. Some purple goes to her cheeks, even a light dash provides a nice color but building it up captures that chilly look. She adds some pink to her cheeks to enhance the color. More purple lip stain goes on for a gentle touch of color. For her eyes she instead goes for pink glitter rather than a white or silver. This rosier look shows a bit of change from the previous year.
Again, there is heavy focus on color this year, the white eyeliner seems to be in the past. @multumilia or Liliah’s look she combines chilly girl and douyin makeup. The base is simple, drawing more attention to the cheeks and eyes. Although she does put a touch of blush on her chin as some do to match how that area can get red. The biggest difference is the eyes. The blush maintains it’s strong appearance, but her eye shadow is striking. She begins with some blush by her eyes (continuing up from her cheeks), then applies some lighter shades of blue around it. A bluish-purple glitter goes in the corners and also to the currently bare areas around her eyes. The blush, eye shadow, glitter, and highlight come together in a way the surprisingly cohesive. It’s a welcoming surprise, like the two gems she places under her eyes.
Why Has This Look Lasted So Long?
Makeup trends come and they go, but even through rebranding, this one has stayed. Well, some businesses, like Saie, have gotten onboard. Supporting influencers to highlight this look to others to boost their sales. But even if you don’t get their products, it’s a pretty easy look to recreate and adapt. It can work for everyone; they just need to know which colors work best for them. The look is also rather casual, you can wear it everyday or to a party. As we have seen it also has grown and evolved over the years to suit everyone’s wintery style. So chilly girl makeup is going on strong, let’s see if it comes back next year!
What do you think of chilly girl makeup? Is this the winter look for you? Let us know in the comment section below?
Leave a Reply