The everyday item in your makeup bag that’s ‘ageing you by years’ over winter, and the ‘T’ rule to avoid it
WINTER can have a huge impact on your skin, with freezing temperatures and lack of sunshine causing it to become dry and cracked.
The shorter days, increased central heating and lack of humidity can all take their toll, leaving our skin feeling flaky and even itchy.
So maintaining a flawless make-up look in the colder months is no easy feat – especially if we’re trying to cover up blemishes and wrinkles.
Most of us have the same approach to make-up year-round, which often doesn’t work well during the winter.
This can mean we can accidentally make ourselves look older when trying to give ourselves a more youthful look with make-up during the festive season.
And one expert has revealed that there is one everyday item in our bags that is actually “ageing you by years” over the winter.
Anshul Gambhir, a beauty expert at Gambhir Cosmetic Medicine, even said that it can make our skin look “dull” while highlighting imperfections.
Luckily, she also shared her genius ‘T’ rule that can help us avoid looking older when we do use the product.
The biggest mistake is not adjusting your skincare to combat the cold and dryness of winter… your skin can appear dull and flaky, which makes makeup application uneven and less flattering
Anshul Gambhir
Anshul revealed that while powder is often the go-to for setting make-up, in winter it’s a double-edged sword.
She explained: “Powder can emphasise dry patches and make your skin look dull.
“Many people try to cover their paleness with layers of powder, but it only ends up highlighting imperfections.”
To avoid making this error, the expert advises only using it on the T-zone of your face, which is the area spanning your forehead down to your nose and chin.
This is because these are seen as being the most oily patches of skin on the face, with the cheeks and eyes tending to be areas with drier skin.
Anshul adds: “Instead, switch to cream-based products for a more hydrating finish. Use powder sparingly – only on areas prone to shine, like your T-zone.
“A light dusting of pressed powder is enough; anything more can make you look older, especially if your skin is already dry.”
The make-up expert also revealed three other mistakes that most of us make in winter and how to avoid them.
One thing most of us get wrong is wearing colours of foundation or concealer in the winter as we do in the summer.
Anshul explains: “Most people need to adjust their makeup shades during winter.
“Failing to do so can create a ‘mask effect,’ where your face and neck are noticeably mismatched. It’s not a great look.
“Instead, invest in two foundations – one for summer, one for winter – and blend them as your skin tone shifts between seasons. It’s a simple switch that ensures a seamless, natural look all year round.”
Another thing we fail to do is not give ourselves a sin-kissed glow. While this is not something we need to do in the summer with longer days and lots of sunshine, it should be a key part of our winter routine.
The expert advises: “When winter sets in, many people lose that sun-kissed glow and end up looking pale or ashy.
Avoid dark colours this festive season
MAKE-up expert Anshul Gambhir has also revealed that we should be ditching the dark, heavy colours this winter for a more youthful look.
While it might feel natural to reach for darker lipsticks and eyeshadows during the colder months, it can also make us look older.
So if we really want to embrace the darker look this festive season, Anshul says we should tread carefully.
She says: “Dark lipsticks can highlight fine lines and uneven edges if you have wrinkles.
“Instead, opt for softer, more neutral tones that won’t draw attention to problem areas.
“Smoky eyes and berry lips may feel festive, but they can also age you if overdone.
“Strike a balance by choosing colours that complement your complexion without overpowering it.”
“To counteract this, add some warmth back into your skin using bronzer or a light self-tan.”
“If bronzer feels too bold, a cream blush in a peachy or rosy hue can do wonders for perking up your complexion. Think of it as bringing a bit of sunshine to those dreary grey days”.
Speaking of our winter make-up routine, we should make sure that this is also different to our summer routine to keep up with the needs of our skin.
Anshul says: “The biggest mistake is not adjusting your skincare to combat the cold and dryness of winter.
“Without enough hydration, your skin can appear dull and flaky, which makes makeup application uneven and less flattering.
“Upgrade to a richer moisturiser and consider incorporating overnight masks or facials into your routine.
“A dermaplaning facial can work wonders by removing dead skin and leaving you with a smoother, more radiant surface”.