Cold Girl Makeup Trend: How to Get the Look

Today, beauty trends are as cyclical as they are short-lived. However, although they only have a brief lifespan on social media, some of their worthy tips and concepts have proven to have lasting effects. Take the “cold girl” makeup trend for example, which mimics the look of a brisk walk on a chilly day with darling flush across the cheeks and nose along with shimmery highlights. The faux-cold look has outlived its trending hashtag, likely because it’s so universally flattering. Here’s how to get the look and why apricot oil is the trick to nailing the trend.

“I’m Cold” Makeup—Explained

First rising to popularity on TikTok in late 2022, the “cold girl” makeup look has continued to see spikes in popularity, seemingly trending whenever the weather dips into chilly temperatures worthy of a winter skin care routine. The look is centered around flushed, frostbitten-like cheeks (that extend to the bridge of the nose, too), ‘frosted’ highlights (ideally on the tip of your nose, inner corners of the eye, and high points of the cheekbones), and finished off with a nude-pink lip and a shiny gloss. The reason this makeup trend has become so viral and yet so timeless is because of its universal appeal: it looks great on everyone (regardless of skin type), is easy to accomplish, and is a tad nostalgic and festive.

“Cold Girl” Makeup: How to Get the Look

We could muse all day about this complimentary makeup trend, but let’s get to the tutorial. Here is everything you need to get the look.

Step One: Prep

Any makeup look is only as good as your skincare routine and skin prep, so invest time and energy into ensuring your skin is hydrated and protected first and foremost.

Moisturizer 

Bathe skin in a deep well of hydration with an effective moisturizer based on your skin type. Dry skin will drink up The Dewy Skin Cream; combination skin will feel balanced with The Silk Cream; oily skin will adore the lightweight and mattifying benefits of The Water Cream; and sensitive skin will feel soothed with The Indigo Calming Cream. Apply morning and night, after cleansing for both immediate and long-term moisture.

Eye Serum 

Hydrate, reduce puffiness around the eye area, and visibly firm the skin with an eye cream or serum. Tatcha’s Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum is the unsung hero of the “cold girl” makeup trend. The formula includes a handful of potent ingredients, including Okinawa red algae, honeysuckle leaf, and caffeine, but also features one rising star: apricot oil. Finally receiving the praise it rightfully deserves, apricot oil is an emollient oil pressed from the seeds of apricots. Known for its skin-smoothing and antioxidant properties, apricot oil in the Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum helps to hydrate and nourish the eye area, while also cocooning the delicate skin from harsh winter conditions. Before you apply any “cold girl” makeup, apply this eye serum first.

Sunscreen 

Speaking of necessary skincare products, don’t forget sunscreen. While it’s commonly overlooked and forgotten mid-winter, SPF is a necessity every day regardless of the season. Aim for a formula that is at least SPF 35, is classified as a broad spectrum sunscreen, and it wouldn’t hurt if the formula also included skin-improving ingredients. Consider Tatcha’s newly updated Silk Sunscreen, which has weightless SPF 50 physical coverage and the patented (and trademarked) KLEAIR™ zinc oxide. This breakthrough zinc oxide is proven to be 2.45 times more effective at protecting against free radicals than standard zinc oxide.* This is impressive because free radicals are shown to cause a loss of elasticity in the skin and are directly linked to fine lines and wrinkles, too.

Step Two: Makeup

Another reason this trend is so wonderfully long-lasting is that it’s not only easy, but also can be accomplished with just a few simple makeup products. 

Coverage

Conceal and utilize foundation if you’d like. Ideally, the look sings more with a matte finish, but use whatever you’d prefer—after all, flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to the “I’m cold” makeup look. 

Blush 

The star of the show: blush. The look is more realistic with a rosy pink hue, but whatever is most flattering on your skin tone is great. Apply to the highest points of the cheekbones and then blend upwards. Also, have the blush touch the bridge and tip of the nose to make it appear more ‘I’m on the top of the Alps’ realistic. 

Highlight

To make the look more alive and dynamic, apply a frosted highlighter to the high points of the face and corners of the eyes, which can mimic the ‘caught in a snowball fight’ glow. 

Finishing Touches 

Mascara can give the face a more romantic, doe-eyed feel. Don’t forget a lip product, too. A nude-pink lip can tie the look together. Grab a foolproof lip tint, ideally Tatcha’s Kissu Lip Tint SPF 25, which is easy to use and hydrates lips, seals in moisture, adds a pop of color, and protects from sun damage. Available in three universally flattering shades, The Kissu Lip Tint is unique in that the formula is customizable and builds from sheer to medium coverage in just a few easy swipes. While all three hues would fit beautifully with this “cold girl” look, the soft pink tint of Plum Blossom (known as Ume in Japanese) would be particularly perfect. Top it off with The Kissu Lip Mask for a plumped, juicy look that seals in moisture and can help soothe sunburned lips.

While makeup trends come and go, the “cold girl” makeup has proven it has staying power. Whether you’re actually in the middle of frosty temperatures or just pretending to be, “I’m cold” makeup is worth replicating.

*KLEAIR™ is under license from Solésence LLC