Winter Beauty Trends

Winter Visage

By Damone Roberts
Oprah.com | December 15, 2009

Harsh winter weather can ravage skin and hair, but with the right routine and a shot of color, the cold months can be more glamorous than ever. Makeup artist Damone Roberts explains how to winterize your skin, hair and makeup routine.

Q: What are the hottest makeup trends to watch this holiday season?

A: 'Tis the season to sparkle, but always be mindful of overdoing the shimmer. Do not apply metallics everywhere on the face, or you'll end up looking like you belong on the top of someone's Christmas tree. Choose only two areas, like your eyes and cheeks (Opulent Shimmer Powder, $32, EsteeLauder.com). Warm colors like gold and bronze work well on many different skin tones (Goldmine eyeshadow, $14.50, MACCosmetics.com) and try to avoid lipsticks with a frost finish, which has a tendency to look dated.

Q: My hair always looks duller and darker during the winter. How can I liven it up without coloring it?

A: Dry, cool weather can take away all the moisture from your hair, which in turn takes away the ability to shine. A easy fix is to go right into your kitchen to mix olive oil, egg yolk and avocado together in a bowl (equal amounts depending on your hair length). Saturate your hair before applying a plastic cap to lock in the moisture for a good 20 minutes before rinsing (you can go longer if you feel the need).

Another option is go to a professional salon for a cellophane, which is a nonchemical hair treatment that adds more sheen by filling and pumping the hair shaft and sealing the cuticle layer.

Roberts' winter skincare routine

Q: Now that the weather is changing, what is the best way to keep my skin in control?

A: Cold weather, wind and dry air can suck moisture from your skin. If your skin feels tight and dry, you probably need to switch to a milder cleanser (Dove Cool Moisture Foaming Facial Cleanser, $3.95, Amazon.com). Regularly moisturizing is important to avoid flaky and peeling skin by hydrating while still providing a protective barrier on the skin's surface. Lastly, hydrate from within by switching your daily coffee with green tea bursting with antioxidants called catechins, which also fight viruses and slow aging.

Q: I've always wanted to wear red lipstick but never know which red is the right color for me. Now that the holidays are upon us, I'm ready to go for it. Help!

A: Nothing says holiday like the color red! Choosing the right shade can be quite challenging. I suggest you start by determining the undertone of your skin. The best way to do this is look at the inside of your wrist. If you have green veins, more than likely you have warm undertones and an orange-based red is what you are looking for (Red Sinner, $18, LipstickQueen.com). If your veins are blue, your undertones are cool, so a red with a blue undertone will suit you best (Nars Jungle Red, $24, Sephora.com). A little rule of thumb to remember when wearing red lipstick is if any blush is worn at all, keep it very minimal!

Q: I'm an older woman who likes to wear color, as it makes me feel good. Do I have to stop wearing color just because I'm now a certain age or because it is not the warm season?

A: I believe in the power of color, and the main thing that stands out to me in your question is "It makes me feel good." You should never stop doing something as harmless as wearing colorful makeup if it puts you in a positive space. There are many different shades of blue and purple in the world of cosmetics, and my advice is wear them in the undertones that work with your skin, but maybe not all at the same time. Age is nothing but a number, but feeling good is immeasurable.

Damone Roberts answers your top 5 beauty questions

Printed from Oprah.com on Thursday, May 23, 2013