Spring is almost here. It's time to shed your winter clothes and get outside with a fresh look.
You can look your best this spring without going crazy on the makeup. This spring, the look is all about fresh color.
"Vacation and spring break are influences for this spring's palette," said Julie Iemole, regional director for
Benefit Cosmetics. "It's all about quick makeup that makes a feminine impact," which goes along with flirty dresses and loose, wavy hair.
Pink Is It
"This spring, it's all about pink," said Iemole.
Most retailers are offering some fresh pinks for the season. They are a bit translucent and go with a range of skin tones. Blonde women with pale skin can wear pink, just as a woman with olive skin or a black woman. There's a wide range to choose from, including bright bubble-gum pinks, sheer baby pinks and opaque pinks accentuated with golden flecks.
The shade you choose depends on your skin tone. If you are black, opt for mauve. "Mauve pinks accentuate the warmth of an African-American skin tone," said Michelle Jindrich, owner of Salon Evolve in Portland, Ore.
Women with pale skin can opt for light or baby pinks. Those with olive skin tones should look for a pink with golden flecks or peachy colors to compliment the warmth in their skin color.
Such Beautiful Eyes
"The focus is on the eyes. It's all about perfect brows, perfect lashes and pink eyes," said Iemole.
Get your brows to look good, no matter how wild or sparse, with a little taming. Many cosmetic lines offer eyebrow gel or wax. Benefit sells a wax and powder combo that helps define lashes and holds them in place.
Before applying shadow, consider using a base for your eyelids. Not only will it moisturize, but it helps shadow stay put and keeps it from setting into creases in the eyelid.
Get your lashes looking gorgeous with a great mascara. Whether you're looking for lengthening, thickening or conditioning, make sure to find a mascara that doesn't irritate your eyes and throw it out after three months. Over time bacteria can build up in a mascara tube and lead to eye infections, which never look pretty.
Before you apply your mascara, give your lashes a little curl with an eyelash curler. Curlers can be found at most discount retailers for $5 or less. The effect will open your eyes more and really help to bring the color of your irises out.
Pucker Up
Even though your eyes are having all the fun, make sure not to forget about the lips. Dry air can wreck havoc on your lips and make them cracked and unappealing. Make sure to moisturize your lips.
Leaving the lips neutral is a great way to make sure the eyes get all the attention.
"A sheer, nude lip is best with pink eye color," said Iemole.
Stick with sheer or semisheer lipsticks and glosses and stay away from heavy liners.
Consider an all-in-one color that can be used on lips, cheeks and eyes for quick beautifying.
Your Face
"It's all about youthful glow and dewy looks," said Iemole. Make sure to moisturize before putting on your makeup. Consider a lighter tinted moisturizer instead of foundation for a natural look and sheer coverage.
Bronzer and highlighting powder can do wonders.
"You can apply it lightly for a daytime look or go a bit more intense for the evening," said Iemole.
Bronzer should be swept across your cheeks, your chin and forehead. Highlighting powder looks best when applied above the cheeks and under the eyes in an outward sweeping motion and lightly down the bridge of your nose. When applied correctly, bronzer and highlighter can accentuate the features you like while downplaying those that are more prominent. They can also soften harsh lines.
Day To Night
Heading out after a busy day at the office? It won't take more than a minute or two to amplify your look without going over the top.
"The 'Bad Gal' combination of eyeliner and mascara takes your look from day to night," said Iemole.
Line your lashes with eyeliner, taking care not to apply too much. When you line all the way around your eye, you close it in, making it look smaller. Sweep a bit more color onto your eyelids to intensify the color and freshen up your look. Give your eyes a sultry look by swiping another coat of mascara onto your lashes for a more dramatic fringe.
Skip the nude lips in the evening and add a little stay-put color. Try a lip stain like Benetint.
"It adds a bit of color and holds onto it throughout the entire evening," said Iemole. As you drink, chat or even eat, your pretty pucker will maintain its rosy sheen.
Take It Off
Once the day is done, don't forget to remove your makeup. Not only is sleeping with your makeup on bad for your bed linens, it can lead to breakouts and eye irritations, especially if you use shadows with iridescent sheen to them.
"Make sure to remove your cosmetics before your head hits the pillowcase," said Iemole.
More Resources Distributed by Internet Broadcasting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
