Winter usually leaves your skin with dry, flaky patches. Willy nilly adding layers of foundation to hide this dryness only makes it worse. Mostly because you might be using the wrong kind of foundation or skipping some essential prepping steps. Also, your skin keeps losing moisture throughout the day as well (thanks to all that dry, cold air!), turning your foundation patchy by the end of the day.
Fortunately, there is a fool-proof method to ensure the foundation layer on your skin looks dewy as ever even in winter. Starting with a well-moisturized base, you need to…
- 01. Use a hydrating primer
- 02. Pick the right foundation formula
- 03. Swap makeup brushes for damp blenders
01. Use a hydrating primer

A hydrating primer will not only make your makeup last through a harsh winter day, it will also keep your skin nourished under the foundation layer. Emollient-like, gel-based primers are perfect for this. It further helps if they have some added hydrating ingredients in them - like vitamin E or glycerin in them. Use your fingers to apply the primer; the warmth from your hands will make it settle better.
BB picks: Lakmé Absolute Undercover Gel Primer
02. Pick the right foundation formula

Here’s the deal - the more moisture you are able to pack into your skin, the better it will respond to winter harshness. Creamy or oil-infused foundations tend to hold in moisture for longer, make the finish smoother and make it all kind of glowing and dewy. Powder foundation tends to absorb the natural oils from your face, which in turn leave the skin looking dry.
BB picks: Lakmé Absolute Argan Oil Serum Foundation
03. Swap makeup brushes for damp blenders

Using a damp beauty blender to ‘beat’ the foundation into your skin will keep the formula moist and hydrated. This will also help you keep away from rubbing or sweeping brushes across already dry and sensitised winter skin.
Pro tip: Always start with a proper skincare routine before applying makeup during winters - gentle exfoliation followed by moisturisation will help smooth out dry patches on the skin. Try and keep away from other powder products - like blushes and compacts as much as possible. Use a hydrating, makeup setting mist to set your base, and the rest of your makeup.
Written by Sumona Bose on Nov 20, 2020
Sumona Bose is a writer, skincare junkie and a self-professed makeup connoisseur. Equipped with a Master's degree in Fashion Management and over 3 years of experience writing in the beauty and fashion space, her passion for learning new things has no bounds. Working closely with dermatologists, beauty excerpts, makeup artists and hairstylists, she brings you the best of all things beauty. From trending skincare ingredients to makeup looks that help you slay, she manages to bring something new (and vital!) to our readers every single time. Her hobbies include home workouts, watching foreign films and binge-watching makeover shows!