Frosty Makeup Is Back in Its Most Wearable Form Yet

Frosty makeup has gone through several iterations over the past few decades—and with each icy era, there’s been some level of wince or a hard “no” to accompany it. Truth is, with the right guidance, silvery, white, and platinum eyeshadow and even lip color can be worn on just about every skin tone. Makeup artist Ernesto Castillo did an inner-corner variation on Zendaya back in July, then a subtler version for the 2026 Emmys, and while Z hardly ever misses (if at all) on just about any look, it proved that pearly white is more wearable than you may think. Makeup artists share exactly how to pull off the frosty makeup trend with the right steps and products.

The frosty resurgence

No-makeup makeup, naked lashes, and bronzy skin dominated summer, and now, makeup artist Amrita Mehta says people are ready to have fun again. “Frosted makeup feels fresh because it’s kind of the exact opposite,” she tells ELLE. “Playing with cool, icy tones is really reminiscent of the ’90s, and the way frost catches the light is such a modern but understated way to add some fun to your makeup.”

Makeup artist Pablo Macias shared a similar sentiment about why the icy shades are making a comeback. “I think we’ve been surrounded by warm makeup for so long—bronzed skin, brown liner, warm neutrals—that seeing something icy again suddenly feels fresh,” he says. While there’s a nostalgic element to it, Macias says the new version of frosty makeup is more refined than earlier iterations. “I love beautiful, fresh skin and then introducing frost almost as an accent—a silver reflection on the eyelid, a pearly inner corner, something that catches the light when the person moves. I don’t want to see shimmer everywhere; I want to see one beautiful moment of light. That’s what makes frost feel modern to me,” Macias shares.

Ash is avoidable

One of the main concerns with wearing silvery, cool makeup, particularly on darker skin, is how it can make skin look ashy. But Mehta says overall, frosty makeup can work on any skin tone. “It’s really about choosing the right shade. If looking ashy is your concern, I would definitely gravitate toward pigments that have more of a translucent base rather than an opaque one,” she suggests.

Look for products with pigment undertones that lean more neutral rather than being outwardly icy. For example, instead of a cool white frost, try something with more champagne tones. “Colored frosts like pinks, purples, and duochromes are also really versatile and work across a range of skin tones because they reflect off the skin rather than completely melting into it,” says Mehta. Pigments that lean more champagne, beige, lavender, or pink rather than icy white will provide this. “They give you more dimension and still give you that frosted effect without looking ashy,” she adds.

On fair skin, Macias goes for softer pearl, icy pink, and delicate silvers. On medium or olive complexions, he usually chooses something with a little more depth, like pewter, cool taupe, or a silver that has a champagne undertone. On deeper skin, he says richer metallics can look incredible: platinum, gunmetal, cool bronze, or dimensional silvers without a chalky white base.

Undertones are underrated

Straight-up silver is an obvious choice for creating an icy look, but Macias prefers pewter, mushroom, greige, and taupe-silver, or shades you wouldn’t automatically call silver—ones with a neutral or slightly earthy base underneath the metallic finish. “I actually think that’s one of the easiest ways to make cool makeup look expensive. A very blue or white silver can sometimes take over the entire look, whereas a more complex pigment changes depending on the light,” says Macias.

Layering is key

Both Mehta and Macias agree that you shouldn’t go straight to the lid or eye area with an icy shade without setting a foundation first. “I rarely put frost directly onto an eye without creating some dimension first,” says Macias. “I might softly sculpt the eye with taupe or a neutral brown and then press the metallic over the lid with my finger. That way you get this beautiful icy reflection, but there’s still depth underneath. The goal isn’t to make the skin cooler to match the frost. The frost has to work with the skin,” he adds.

Another trick to make cool shades more wearable across skin tones is one of Macias’s tricks: layering a warm base under the more icy top color. “I love layering a cool metallic over a neutral eye rather than building the whole eye with cool tones. Sometimes what makes silver beautiful is actually the brown underneath it. You still get that frosted effect, but it feels much softer and more dimensional,” he details.

Placement makes it modern

High-pigment silver that stretched from the lash line to the brow bone had its time—and this isn’t that. If an all-over frosty lid feels too overwhelming, Mehta says the inner corner or brow bone are other areas to have some fun with the shades.

Or move away from the eye area altogether and try a frosted lip.
“It’s such an unexpected twist and creates a really dimensional lip. The Cupid’s bow or cheekbones can also be fun places to use a frosty tone as a highlight,” Mehta adds.

If your eyes are the focus, apply with a light hand to maintain some bit of translucency, then, as Macias does, take whatever is left on your finger or brush and lightly touch the high point of the cheekbone. “I personally don’t want frost on every high point of the face. Especially when I’m working with someone who is going to be photographed, I’m always thinking about how the makeup will react to different lighting and flash. The placement should feel intentional. I want you to notice the light before you notice the makeup,” he shares.

Frosty favorites

Mehta says one of her current guilty pleasures is the KJH.brand Prism Lite Lip Crayons. “I love the shades because they really work across skin tones, they’re creamy, and the frost on the lips is so beautiful. It gives you that multidimensional ’90s feel without being intimidating.”

For cheeks, Saie Glow Sculpt is Mehta’s top choice because it’s a multiuse cream highlighting blush, so you can play with where you want the shine.

For eyes, she’s obsessed with the Half Magic Glitterpucks, especially Cyber Diamond, Glimmer Pop, and Princess Ghost. “They have that really pretty icy, almost wet-looking sparkle that catches the light so well,” she notes.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Lit Diamond Powder in 01 Frozen White is Mehta’s favorite for a really icy eye, and About-Face Shadowstick in 2002 is great when she wants something a little grungier and less perfect. Macias uses the brand’s Artist Color Pencil as a warm-toned neutral base before pressing any metallic onto the lid.

When she wants that more liquid, reflective eye, Mehta uses r.e.m. beauty’s Dream Glow Highlighting Serum and Glowsticks for the skin, and the Starlet Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow in Fembot or Labcoat.

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