How to Prep Your Skin for Flawless Winter Makeup

When it comes to beautiful, long-lasting makeup, the secret isn’t always in the foundation, it’s in the skin prep. Especially in winter, when cooler temperatures and indoor heating can leave your skin feeling dry, dull, or even flaky, that extra bit of care can completely change how your makeup looks and wears throughout the day.

Here’s my go-to winter skin prep routine that helps makeup glide on smoothly, stay put, and keep that glow going, even when the weather’s not playing nice.

✨ Step 1: Hydrate from the Start

Before anything else, start with a lightweight hydrating toner or serum to wake up the skin and give it a drink of water. One of my current favourites is the Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner by Glow Recipe. It gently exfoliates while hydrating, helping your skin look fresh, plump, and smooth – all things we love for makeup application.

💧 Step 2: Choose the Right Moisturiser

Winter makes it tempting to reach for thick, heavy creams – but when it comes to makeup, the kind of moisturiser you use matters. Go for one that’s water-based or absorbs quickly into the skin. The goal is to hydrate without leaving a greasy layer on top that your foundation will slide off of later.

Look for ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or squalane, these help draw moisture in without the heaviness.

🧴 Step 3: Don’t Skip the Primer

This is the step that ties everything together. A good primer locks in your skincare, creates a smooth canvas, and helps your makeup stay in place all day.For hydration and glow, I absolutely love the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base. It’s nourishing without being heavy, and works beautifully under a wide range of foundation types. It also smells divine – always a bonus!

❄️ The Bottom Line

Skin prep is your foundation’s best friend, especially in winter. With the right hydration and a few thoughtful layers, your makeup will sit better, last longer, and look more radiant. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional.

If you’re ever unsure about which products are right for your skin type or want to learn more about prepping for specific events (hello, brides and formal gals!), I’m always here to help.

Stay cosy, stay glowy

Ellie May x