Karoline Leavitt Falls Victim To Common Winter Makeup Fail (& We Know The Fix)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is used to standing in front of the cameras, and she surely knows by now that being in the limelight means that any little change or mistake is incredibly noticeable. In fact, the internet never forgets, which is why Karoline Leavitt is nearly unrecognizable in pics before her "Mar-a-Lago face" transformation. Recently, Leavitt's lip fillers have also been in the spotlight thanks to her now-infamous injection spot fiasco. Of course, this wasn't her only prominent beauty faux pas, as Karoline Leavitt's biggest makeup mistakes include her crusty, dry winter base that needs some serious refreshing.

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On Monday, January 26, 2026, Leavitt did a news briefing during which it was evident that she needed a better winter foundation routine. As the day was particularly cold thanks to a winter storm that hit much of the country over the weekend, Leavitt's foundation was visibly dry around her nose, lips, and under-eyes. Fortunately, all of this can be prevented with a couple of expert tips. Celebrity makeup artist Nina Park, who's worked with the likes of Bella Hadid and Zoë Kravitz, explained to Allure that creating a well-moisturized base is key. "I start with my regular moisturizer, then press a balmy, thicker treatment moisturizer in places that need it (typically around the nose, cheeks, forehead)," she explained. "I let it soak in and then blot with a one-ply tissue to remove the excess before starting foundation." Picking the right makeup for the colder season is also key, as Leavitt proves just how much the weather can affect your final look.

A hydrated base is crucial, and in cold weather conditions, dewy and moisturizing makeup products are key to preventing a dry foundation look à la Karoline Leavitt's. To start off, a primer that not only grips your foundation but also hydrates your skin is a great choice. Depending on what you already use, switching to a hydrating cream foundation can also help. Some of the other tips for achieving even makeup application on dry, flaky skin include exfoliating prior to moisturizing and using a hydrating setting spray at the end to lock in moisture.

Because powders can enhance dry areas, using them strategically on colder days is also key. "Apply powders to set only in areas where needed," celebrity makeup artist Denika Bedrossian, who's worked with stars like Mandy Moore and Hailey Bieber, explained to Byrdie. Bedrossian added that ditching makeup products that contain alcohol can also help in maintaining a dewy and plump base. Mineral-based products are no-gos, too. "Minerals are inherently drying on the face, and many cream or liquid foundation formulas use minerals as their main pigment," healthy beauty and image expert Kristen Arnett told the outlet. 

Instead, reach for makeup with ingredients that help lock in the moisture. "Try to look for products that are loaded with essential oils or plant-based oils like jojoba and coconut, which help maintain the skin's natural moisture level," celebrity makeup artist Suzie Kim explained to E! News. Hopefully, Leavitt and her makeup artist take a more weather-appropriate approach to her base this winter, as dry foundation just isn't a good look.