Emma Pei in Luca Luca.
It’s a new season and I, for one, can’t wait to try out spring’s pretty, colorful looks. Inspired by all the sorbet colors on the runway, I’m gonna go for a more naturally pretty, naturally undone look.
M*A*C's Too Fabulous Mineralize Blush in Two Virtues, right.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to put away my makeup kit. From flushed cheeks, yummy nails, bold brows and fluttery lashes, spring’s makeup arsenal has plenty of styles to experiment with.
And keep reading for a special beauty giveaway by LashFood — their newest conditioning liquid eyeliner gives you a precise line while encouraging the health and growth of your natural lashes! Five lucky readers get to try one for free!
Natural and pretty doesn’t have to mean makeup-free. Check out Lakshmi Menon’s pretty, clean look at Michael Kors, below. The gorgeous lilacs, the icy powder blue, all anchored with a contrast of navy liner and strong brows — there’s plenty of makeup, but she just looks fresh, doesn’t she?
Lakshmi Menon at Michael Kors.
Part of the fun for me is figuring out how to incorporate runway trends into my own very real, very non-runway life. So here’s what will be in my arsenal for spring.
Happy Colors
Whether bright poppy orange or a peony pink, I’m loving petal-inspired hues for my face and nails. While there are times when I’m feeling the warm bronzey-coral side of summer, I’m also into the pale blush look of M*A*C‘s latest campaign, Too Fabulous. Their campaign image says it all:
M*A*C's Too Fabulous campaign for spring.
I mean, check out those lashes! (More on that below.)
I like the pretty blue-toned pink on a clean slate of luminous, pale skin. M*A*C‘s Mineralize Blush in Two Virtues gets me close.
M*A*C's Too Fabulous Mineralize Blush in Two Virtues, right.
M*A*C Too Fabulous collection available starting March 4.
For nails, Essie‘s Tart Deco actually makes me look like I’ve got color — and trust me, after a season of chunky scarves, armwarmers, legwarmers and thigh high boots, I’m more wan than tan. (And of course, Essie nail polishes contain no formaldehyde, DBP or toluene, which also means no stink.)
Essie nail polish in Tart Deco.
Fluttery Lashes
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Mascara.
When it comes to mascara, sometimes I feel like like I’m in a fairy tale. I’m either Snow White and my lash’s constant companions are spiky, spider, clumpy and wimpy. Or I’m Goldilocks and everything’s too wet, too dry, too thick, too thin. Never “just right.”
Well, for spring and beyond, you’re gonna want to get “just right” because the lightness and happy hues of spring call for pretty, fluttery lashes.
My current solution for fluttery eyelashes is Estée Lauder‘s Sumptuous Waterproof Mascara. Not only does it pick up and magnify every single tiny lash (ones I didn’t even know I had), but it does it without leaving behind giant chunks other volumizing mascaras do. And the “lift” is so good, my lashes stay curled even after I take off my makeup at the end of the day. I’m officially converted.
Available starting tomorrow, Estée Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Mascara, $19.50, www.esteelauder.com.
Of course, if you want to go to the source for natural fluttery lashes, you can always try to grow your own with one of the gazillion lash growing products out there. I personally have way too many steps in my nighttime skincare routine to add one more, so those products haven’t reaped any real rewards for me.
LashFood Conditioning Eyeliner.
LashFood president and founder Alex Kim feels my pain. “For most women, it often seems like there’s never enough time,” he says. “No one wants to sacrifice any part of their daily beauty routine.” So Alex came up with LashFood Conditioning Liquid Eyeliner. That’s right – an actual liquid eyeliner (in a very long lasting black) combined with their nano-peptide lash-growing technology. And though that may sound chemical and scary, it’s not. LashFood uses natural amino acids (biotin and arginine) and herbal complexes to naturally nourish long, healthy lashes. That means no redness or sensitivity for me. And I can eliminate one more step in my daily beauty regimen.
And now we’re giving away LashFood Conditioning Eyeliners to readers! Just comment here and tell us what your spring makeup arsenal looks like and we’ll pick five lucky winners!
Strong Brows
Tao Okamoto's beauty look for Thakoon fall 2010.
If the fall runways were any indication, strong brows will continue well into next season. Thakoon showed strong brows and nude lips, as seen on Tao Okamoto here.
I only recently started adding a bit of color to my brows. It really makes my eyes pop, especially when I’m feeling a bit wan. Problem is, it’s hard to find a brow pencil or gel that’s just the right color for my Asian complexion. (Like most Asians, my hair is not brown nor is it pitch black, and neither are my brows.) So I love Vanitymark‘s newest eyebrow pencil and powder color, Choco Noir. The perfect blend of brown and black, it’s exactly what my brows need.
Vanitymark Ultra Brow in Choco Noir.
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my spring arsenal always includes a peach/pink colored blush that evokes a floral garden. eye popping lip glosses and ice cream colored nails.
I typically just play around and experiment with eye makeup and add a little something for my lips. I can’t wait to try out the soft and pretty shades of pink on here.
sassy light shadows intermixed with soft hues of pink-kissed skin is whats in for me this season! I love the shade ‘tart deco’–I smile with each take.
Always looking to try new make-up =)
I enjoy using pinks because of my pale skin – I was living in Korea earlier last year and noticed a lot of girls were using lilac undertones for blush because it apparently complements our yellow skin very well!