It snowed last week in New York, and we felt so charming with little snowflakes sprinkled atop our lashes, until we realized that our mascara was bleeding down our faces (we don’t pull it off quite like Beyoncé), and our reddened noses were reading more “influenza” than “inner glow.” It doesn't have to be like this! But mark our words: next time we're due for a majestic winter storm, we'll be prepared, arming ourselves with the tools necessary to pull off that cherubic caught-in-the-snow glow. The kind that Macy’s catalog models who stumble upon shiny red boxes containing golden retriever puppies while frolicking in snowbanks have. Or the dewy perfection of Kerry Washington sipping hot cider between takes on Scandal's set. Start with...
Highlighter : Inspired by Franzi Mueller in Schön! Magazine [5], use Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Illuminating Fluid to define the cheekbones and warm the eyelids, and dab MAC Strobe Cream along the brow bone, at the corners of the eyes, on the tops of the cheeks, and in the bow of your lips with your fingers to catch the light. (This is contouring with highlighters, and we think Kourtney Kardashian would be proud.) When you’re finished you’ll look like you’re a real live snow angel with Victoria’s Secret Angel cheekbones. And now you have a faux-magically-well-moisturized base for your...
Rosy Cheeks : Do you ever notice how in movies that take place in the snow, everyone's cheeks are always beautifully pink, their noses totally unaffected by the sub-zero temps? (For example, Felicity Jones in Chalet Girl, the best worst movie you will ever have the pleasure of watching, now streaming on Netflix.) This is, in fact, a Hollywood phenomenon and total impossibility. Unless you apply full-coverage foundation on your nose, that nasal redness is happening. But you can counter Seasonal Rudolph Syndrome with a DayGlo-bright blush. Tom Ford Cheek Color in Flush is neon peach in the container, but when dusted very lightly on the apples of the cheeks in a sideways isosceles triangle (beauty needs geometry, too), it translates to a just-pinched pink somewhere between Ginnifer Goodwin in Once Upon a Time and Keira Knightley running through London in an off-the-shoulder mohair sweater to deliver that game-changing sympathy kiss in Love Actually.
Impact : For dramatic effect (this is the theater called life, right, Evie?), hydrate your lips with God’s gift to lipgloss: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. Then, using the balm left over on your fingers, enhance your Strobe Cream by swiping the excess product on the brow bone and the tops of the cheeks. If you want to look extra precious, dab it in the inner and outer corners of your eyes. You’ll look like you were just tearing up because this whole situation is too beautiful for words. Who wants to go sledding?
The Extras : To up the ethereality, you can wear mascara, but go waterproof or go home—seriously, you’ve got black dribbles down your cheeks and you need to wash them off. Thankfully, most mascaras come in waterproof versions, so just go with your favorite. But if you’re looking for suggestions, we have a few ideas. Then brush your brows up like Franzi Mueller and tie your mittens on a string. Our hearts just exploded.
For a night of holiday parties, add a swipe of RiRi Woo. Or for a night in, there's always a hot toddy and a warm bath. Cheers.
Photos by Mathea Millman.
