Cool and Confident: A Guide to Flattering Shades for Deep Winters

As a Dark Winter / Deep Winter, I struggle to find the perfect eyeshadow and lipstick shades….so I know how hard it can be for others!

With your deep, cool-toned complexion and high contrast between your hair, skin, and eyes, finding the right makeup shades can be a challenge. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Have you had an experience when shopping for makeup and coming up with limited options, unflattering shades, and overwhelming choices? I have! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I used to spend upwards of an hour or two slowly walking around and back and forth all over Sephora and Ulta, not sure what worked best for me. My anxiety kicks in when I struggle to find something that works. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Pain Points I’m sure you’ve experienced:

1. ❌ Limited Options: Dark Winters may find that many makeup brands offer limited options in cool-toned shades that complement their complexion. It can be frustrating to spend time and money on makeup that doesn’t work well with your skin tone!

2. 🙅🏻‍♀️ Unflattering Shades: Trying to wear warm-toned makeup shades can be particularly difficult for Dark Winters. These shades can clash with your complexion and make you look washed out or unbalanced.

3. 😵‍💫 Overwhelming Choices: With so many makeup brands and products available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when searching for suitable shades. It’s easy to feel lost in a sea of options and end up making a purchase that doesn’t work well with your skin tone.

Suggestions:

1. Look for Cool-Toned Shades: When searching for eyeshadows, blush, and lipstick shades, focus on cool-toned shades that have a blue or purple undertone. These shades will complement your cool complexion and enhance your features. Remember to build color gradually, as a little can go a long way with pigmented colors!

   Blush Shades —

   • Berry: A deep, rich berry shade can complement the cool undertones of a Deep Winter complexion. Look for shades that have blue or purple undertones, rather than warmer reds.

   • Fuchsia: Fuchsia is a bright, cool-toned pink shade that can add a pop of color to a Deep Winter’s complexion. It’s important to choose a shade that’s not too warm or orange-based.

   • Mauve: Mauve is a muted, dusty pink shade that can look beautiful on Deep Winter skin. Look for shades that have cool, blue undertones.

   • Plum: Plum is a versatile shade that can work well for both lips and cheeks. Deep Winters can choose cooler, more blue-based plum shades for a natural-looking flush.

   • Rose: Rose is a soft, cool-toned pink shade that can look beautiful on Deep Winters. Choose shades that have cool, blue undertones rather than warm or orange-based pinks.

2. Experiment with Bold Colors: As a Dark Winter, you can pull off bold and intense colors that may not work well with other skin tones. Don’t be afraid to experiment with deep reds, rich plums, and emerald greens.

   Eyeshadow Shades —

   • Emerald: This rich, intense green shade looks stunning on Deep Winters. Try a matte emerald eyeshadow to create a bold and dramatic eye look.

   • Navy: Navy is another great option for Deep Winters. A navy eyeshadow can create a smoky eye look that is perfect for evening events.

   • Plum: For a more subdued look, try a plum eyeshadow. This cool-toned shade adds depth and dimension to the eyes without being too bold.

   Lipstick Shades 💄 —

   • Berry: Berry lipsticks are perfect for Deep Winters. Look for shades that are cool-toned and have a blue or purple undertone. These shades are perfect for adding a pop of color to your makeup look.

   • Burgundy: Burgundy lipsticks are another great option for Deep Winters. These rich, deep shades add sophistication and elegance to any makeup look.

   • Mauve: For a more subtle lip color, try a mauve lipstick. This cool-toned shade is perfect for daytime wear and complements the Deep Winter complexion beautifully.

3. Research Brands: Look for makeup brands that specialize in cool-toned shades and cater to Dark Winter complexions. Researching brands ahead of time can help you narrow down your options and find the perfect shades for you. Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown, Rare Beauty, Fenty Beauty, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, Saie Beauty, Ilia, Danessa Myricks, Urban Decay and so many more brands have options!!

But am I a true Dark Winter or am I a Dark Autumn?

Both Deep Winters and Deep Autumns have deep, rich skin tones and share some common features, such as dark hair and eyes. However, Deep Winters have cool undertones, while Deep Autumns have warm undertones. This can change during the summer and winter too! Just make sure with whichever shades you’re using, that you feel great in your skin and experiment!

Here are some shades that can work well for both Deep Winters and Deep Autumns:

• Burgundy: This rich, deep red shade can complement both cool and warm skin tones. Deep Winters can opt for cooler, blue-based burgundy shades, while Deep Autumns can go for warmer, brown-based burgundy shades.

• Plum: Plum is another versatile shade that can work well for both Deep Winters and Deep Autumns. Deep Winters can choose cooler, more blue-based plum shades, while Deep Autumns can opt for warmer, brown-based plum shades.

• Rich Brown: A rich brown shade can complement both cool and warm skin tones. Deep Winters can go for cooler, taupe-based brown shades, while Deep Autumns can choose warmer, chocolate-based brown shades.

• Olive Green: This versatile green shade can work well for both Deep Winters and Deep Autumns. Deep Winters can choose cooler, more blue-based olive green shades, while Deep Autumns can opt for warmer, yellow-based olive green shades.

• Deep Navy: This rich, dark blue shade can complement both cool and warm skin tones. Deep Winters can opt for cooler, more purplish navy shades, while Deep Autumns can go for warmer, more teal-based navy shades.

  Some of my favorite shades are terracotta and coral – which are warm-toned shades that may not be the best match for a Deep Winter complexion. Deep Winters have cool undertones in our skin, which can be complemented by cooler shades like rich berry, deep plum, and cool-toned pinks.

  So.. if you really love terracotta or coral shades (like me!) and want to wear them, there are ways to make them work with your Deep Winter complexion. For example, you could pair a terracotta lipstick with a cooler-toned eye shadow, or a coral blush with a cooler-toned lip color. Mixing in cooler tones can help balance out the warmth of the terracotta or coral shade and make it work better with your skin tone!

Products to Consider:

Finding suitable makeup shades as a Dark Winter can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By focusing on cool-toned shades, experimenting with bold colors, and researching suitable brands, you can find the perfect eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick shades that enhance your natural beauty and complement your complexion. You can check out some of my favorite makeup looks down below.