Icy Makeup Is Trending—Here's How to Make the Look Wearable This Winter

One thing I love about the beauty industry is that there's always a new trend to try. From latte makeup to strawberry-girl makeup, I'm never short of inspiration for the upcoming seasons. And now with Christmas and New Year's Eve just around the corner, I'm excited to see what makeup trends everyone will be wearing, and there's one in particular that has caught my eye. You might already be familiar with the icy makeup trend, as this shimmery look started to gain popularity at the end of last year. However, this year it's back with a bang and perfect for the festive season thanks to the combination of glowing skin, frosty eyes and rosy cheeks.

Apparently, I'm not the only one with a new-found obsession with this makeup look. In fact, the hashtag #icymakeup has 3.2 million views on TikTok and counting. When I first came across the trend though, I was a little overwhelmed by all of the bold blushers and bright eye shadows, so I decided to speak to the experts to understand what the look involves and to pick up some tips on how to make it a bit more wearable for the likes of your office Christmas party or family get-together. So, if you're thinking about giving icy makeup a go, keep on scrolling for everything you need to know. 

First things first, what exactly is this makeup trend? "This look is all about pops of cool [eye shadow] shades in white or very light grey tones," explains Melanie Barrese, head makeup artist at By Terry. "The frosted eye creates a pretty contrast to the rosy, pink cheeks for a cold, flushed [finish] that still gives cosy and cute vibes." Simone Otis, global makeup artist for 19/99 Beauty, adds that this makeup look is usually paired with a neutral, glossy lip.

To make this trend more wearable and easy to re-create, Barrese recommends keeping your eye shadow light and blendable to add some subtle seasonal frosting to your makeup. To get that snowy effect, she advises sticking to shimmery or frosted textures. "Rather than applying to the whole eye, focus on the inner corner, close to the tear duct, before blending out. This will give you a pop of icy frosting rather than overkill. You can then team the icy shades with mascara and black eyeliner if you wish, or for a softer, smokey look, take some brown or peach-toned eye shadow and create a soft, diffused effect on the outer edge to balance out the look," says Barrese. 

When it comes to the skin, she recommends rosy, warm pink shades to create a flushed look that glows with health. You can also add a light shimmer or frosted highlight along the tops of the cheekbones. For lips, Otis says simply to choose a neutral colour that suits you. "The focal point of this whole look is the eyes, [so you want to] choose a colour for the lips to give definition and dimension that complements the eyes rather than competes with them."

Next Up: Without a Doubt, These Are the Best Foundations For An Effortless Winter Glow