The Ultimate Matte Makeup Tutorial for Winter, According to a Makeup Artist

Start With the Eyes

While you may be accustomed to applying foundation first, Renée (and most other makeup artists) recommend doing your eyeshadow first. It’s going to be a lot easier to clean up any fall out and will prevent you from packing on too much product at the start.

When it comes to choosing your eyeshadow colors, stick within the nude family. For an all-in-one palette, try the Maybelline New York Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette. “I used warmer tones and built up from lightest to darkest using a fluffy brush,” says Renée. We recommend using the shade Soloist, a light ivory, on the lid, Creator, a pale orange, as the transition shade, and Voyager, a deep burgundy, on the outer corner. 

Complete Your Complexion

To keep shine at bay throughout the day, make sure to use a matte foundation. One we love is the YSL All Hours Foundation. “It’s a mattifying foundation, so if you have oily skin, I would use a brush,” says Renée. “But if you’re on the drier side, I would use a damp sponge to add a little bit of hydration back.” 

Then go in with a concealer to cover up any blemishes, under-eye circles or imperfections on the skin. 

Set Your Makeup

Next up? Grab a setting powder, like the Maybelline New York Lasting Fix Banana Powder, and apply it to any areas that tend to get shiny throughout the day. “If you want to bake, just apply a thin layer of powder on the desired areas like the under-eye, nose, cheeks or forehead, and leave it there for around five to ten minutes, then dust it off with a brush,” says Renée. “You can also just do a light dusting all over.” 

When it comes to deciding which tool to apply powder with though, it’s important to consider your skin type. “If you’re drier, I recommend using a quick swipe with a brush because it’ll set everything without leaving your skin feeling dried out or looking cakey,” says Renée. “If you’re oily, use a sponge so you can pack on a little bit more product and none of the oil will seep through.” 

Finish Your Eyes

“Going back to the eyes, take a bone white color, like Artist, and pop it onto the inner corner and brow bone,” says Renée. “This is a really nice way to open up the eyes and get the inner corner effect without applying shimmer.” Finish off the eyes by applying false lashes (if you choose!) and a lengthening mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Lengthening Mascara. 

Add a Matte Lippie

Tie your matte makeup look together by swiping on a matte lipstick that matches your eyeshadow. “For the lips, I used the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick Matte in He Thinks He’s Matte-Cho because it has similar tones as the eyes, makes everything monochromatic and is perfect for winter,” says Renée. “You can use a lip liner, but the lipstick actually comes to a nice point to help you get a nice, precise line.