One thing I love about the beauty industry is that there is always a new trend to try. From latte makeup to strawberry girl makeup, I’m never short of inspiration for the upcoming seasons. With Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner, I’ve been excited to see what makeup trends everyone will be wearing, and there’s one in particular that has definitely 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 it’s perfect for the festive season thanks to the combination of glowing skin, frosty eyes and rosy cheeks.
I’m not the only one that’s obsessed with this makeup look. In fact, the hashtag #icymakeup has 3.2 million views on TikTok and counting. Pretty impressive, right? When I first came across the trend, I was a little overwhelmed by all of the bold blushers and bright eyeshadows, so I decided to speak to the experts to understand what this trend really involves, and 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 it a go, keep on scrolling for everything you need to know…
First things first, what is this makeup trend? “This look is all about pops of cool [eyeshadow]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 recreate, Barrese recommends keeping your eyeshadow light and blendable to add some subtle seasonal frosting to your makeup. If you want that full effect, then Barrese says to stick to shimmery or frosted textures. “Rather than applying to the whole eye, focus on the inner corner of the eye, close to the tear duct and then blend out. This will help give you a pop of icy frosting rather than overkill.”
“You can then team the icy shades with mascara and a black eyeliner if you wish. Or, for a softer, smokey look take some brown or peach-toned eyeshadow and create a soft, diffused effect on the outer edge to balance the look out.”
When it comes to the skin, Barrese recommends warm, rosy pink shades to create a flushed look that glows with health. You can also add a light shimmering or frosted highlight along the top of the cheekbones. For lips, Otis says to choose a neutral lip colour that suits you. “The focal point of this whole look are the eyes, [so you want to]choose a colour for the lips to give them definition and dimension that compliments the eyes rather than competes.”
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