A pretty, fresh-faced look is a key trend for eyes, lips and cheeks this spring — and the good news is it’s easy to copy and suits every age and skin tone. Here’s our guide to getting the look, and which products to buy to update your make-up bag this Easter…
A pretty, fresh-faced look is a key trend for eyes, lips and cheeks this spring
CHEEKS
THE LOOK: Natural and healthy; barely-there.
THE TIPS: The best place to put blusher depends on your face shape. Using cream or gel blush under powder blusher makes it last longer and you won’t have to be constantly retouching it.
When you hit a certain age, make-up expert Laura Mercier advises applying cream blusher just below the apples of your cheeks, to create a softer, more natural daytime look (applying powder blush on top of foundation can sometimes look too harsh). For the best results, always apply cream or gel blush with your fingers.
When you hit a certain age, make-up expert Laura Mercier advises applying cream blusher just below the apples of your cheeks, to create a softer, more natural daytime look (applying powder blush on top of foundation can sometimes look too harsh). For the best results, always apply cream or gel blush with your fingers.
Beauty guru Liz Earle also suggests adding definition to cheeks with a powder blush in the evening. If you have a round face, sweep it along your cheekbones and extend the colour out to your temples.
A good brush is essential. Try Elizabeth Arden’s new All Over Face Powder Brush (£16, nationwide) a substantial, fat brush that works well for blusher, powder and bronzer.
A good brush is essential. Try Elizabeth Arden’s new All Over Face Powder Brush (£16, nationwide) a substantial, fat brush that works well for blusher, powder and bronzer.
SHOPPING LIST: Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Camellia, (£16.50, lizearle.com) is a flattering pale pink which would look best if your skin has pink or red tones. Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick in Rose Gold (£30.50, bobbibrown.co.uk) is good for those with olive skin. With yellow undertones and a hint of shimmering gold, it’s also great for evenings.
Bourjois Flower Perfection Foundation (left) Elizabeth Arden's new Ceramide Ultra Lipstick (right)
Or try Estee Lauder Pure Colour Blush in Witty Peach (£24, esteelauder.co.uk) in a shimmer or satin finish. Clarins Instant Light Blush (£19, clarins. co.uk) in the limited edition shades of Vitamin Pink and Coral Tonic are both good shades for darker complexions. These are liquid cheek colours that come with a foam-tipped applicator, which allows them to glide onto cheeks without streaking.
LIPS
THE LOOK: A glossy wash of subtle colour.
THE TIPS: For spring, your lipshade should be dewy and pretty. Laura Mercier advises: ‘Try lip glazes and creme lip paints for a subtle imprint of colour, which is perfect for spring.
‘You’re looking for a healthy, glossy slick of colour. The secret to making this look last all day is to prep the lips before applying colour. Massage lips with a tiny amount of lip balm and dust with a little translucent powder, then use fingers to apply colour.’
‘You’re looking for a healthy, glossy slick of colour. The secret to making this look last all day is to prep the lips before applying colour. Massage lips with a tiny amount of lip balm and dust with a little translucent powder, then use fingers to apply colour.’
SHOPPING LIST: Elizabeth Arden’s new Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Rose Aurora (£19, nationwide) is a perfect, rosy shade that suits all skin tones. Max Factor’s Lip Tint Pens, (£7.99, Boots) are great for this look, especially the new Pink Petal and Coral Crush Shades, which give a precise and lasting slick of colour and suit darker skins.
L’Oreal’s Rouge Caresse (£7.99, Boots) comes in ten shades and is a soft, moisturising colour — try Fashionista Pink, a sweet shade that will suit paler complexions. Laura Mercier limited edition Lips Shine (£17, SpaceNK) is subtle yet striking (try Naked Apricot and Tempting Coral), while MAC Sheen Supreme Lip-gloss (£16.50, maccosmetics.co.uk) in Fuji Pink or Asian Butterfly are perfect pastel shades and would especially suit those with olive skin.
Bourjois Little Round Pot in Rose Macaron (left) Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush (right)
EYES
THE LOOK: Pale shades to bring out the natural colour of your eyes.
THE TIPS: Lisa Laudat, celebrity make-up artist for L’Oreal Paris, says pastels are a must for eyes this spring, but cautions that more mature women should do a muted version of the look, replacing heavy opaque shades with a light wash of colour.
Apply pastels lightly by taking a tiny amount on your finger tip and applying all over the lower lid and up to the brow bone. Laudat says: ‘Don’t match eyeshadow to your outfit. You can stay with the same colour, but use a different shade. For example, if you’re wearing dark blue, go for a pale blue eyeshadow.’
SHOPPING LIST: There are no rules with eyeshadow colour any more — wear whatever brings out the natural shade of your eyes and don’t be afraid to experiment or mix shades together for your own individual colour. Bourjois have some beautiful pastel shades, such as the Little Round Pot in Rose Macaron (£6.49, Boots and Superdrug), a sweet pink that works well over the eyelid, with a flash of Anis, a vibrant mint green in the corner.
MUA Pro Eye Palette in Pretty Pastels (£4, Superdrug) has 12 fabulous shades to play with
You can mix pastel shades together, as seen on the spring/summer 2012 catwalks at many shows including Sass & Bide and Suno. Blend them like a professional by dipping your brush into both pots to mix the colour. MUA Pro Eye Palette in Pretty Pastels (£4, Superdrug) has 12 fabulous shades to play with.
Estee Lauder’s new Topaz collection is subtle shades of bronze, taupe and sand with a pop of yellow and teal. The Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Topaz Mosaic (£35, esteelauder.co.uk) is a great all-round collection. And for a colour wash over lids, Pixi Lid Last Shadow Pen (£12, Boots) goes on like a cream yet dries to a powder.
Mascara needs to be natural. Try Max Factor False Lash Effect (£11.99, Boots), which has a chunky brush and contains primer to condition. And to boost lashes, Liz Earle’s new Lash Care Intensifying Mascara Base (£10.50, lizearle.com) is a great trick. Liz uses two coats of the base and one coat of Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara (£14.50, lizearle.com) for a softer and more natural effect.
THIS WEEK'S BEST BEAUTY BUYS
YOU CAN FIX-IT
LIGHT FANTASTIC
BRIGHTEN UP
Givenchy Mister Perfect (£20, 01932 233 824) is a new make-up remover pen that corrects make-up mishaps around the eyes or lips. There are four interchangeable rounded tips, so you can use two for eyes and two for lips. Contains make-up remover with fig extract and coconut derivative, making it perfect to use to remove mascara smudges on sensitive skin around the eyes. Less expensive fix-its include Simple Kind To Eyes Eye Make-Up Corrector Pen (£4.99, Boots) with Pro-Vitamin B5, which is alcohol, oil and perfume-free, and removes smudges speedily.
Make-up kits are a handy alternative to buying individual products and save carrying a full make-up bag around. Benefit’s latest launch, Cabana Glama (£28.50) is great for spring, with a small version of Hoola bronzing powder, Some Kind-a Gorgeous foundation, an eyeshadow palette and Posietint, a tinted lip and cheek stain. Yves Saint Laurent Vinyl Candy Palette (£39) is a four-shade eye palette with everything you need for vibrant spring looks. With shades of raspberry, lilac, blackcurrant and rose, use it to create pretty pastel eyes for day, or striking smoky eyes for evening.
It’s already a staple on many beauty editors’ bathroom shelves, and now Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (£38.50, 0800 591 818) is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The rice-based enzyme powder is one of the gentlest, yet most effective, daily exfoliators we’ve found, making dull skin look and feel instantly cleaner and brighter. But it is so gentle and non-abrasive that it can be used daily without the risk of over-exfoliating. The powder formula activates when in contact with water, creating a soothing, brightening complex that helps to balance uneven skin tone and pigmentation.
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