Elizabeth Banks looking gorgeous per the usual in some makeup fit for spring!
So in case y’all haven’t noticed, it’s beginning to look a lot like springtime. And you know what that means…
No, not Spring Formal. Or shorter skirts. Ladies, I’m talking about new makeup, and much less of it!
Warm weather and caked-on makeup is quite possibly the worst combination in the history of the world. While such makeup is never preferable, it might be excusable in the winter, if done appropriately. Our skin gets dry and pale, our whole bodies get covered up in dark, drab clothing… us girls need an outlet for our creativity. But in the spring and summer, the focus should be on your clothes and your natural, sun-kissed beauty. So throw out that Extra Fair Liquid Foundation and keep reading!
First of all, it’s imperative that you get a good skincare regimen going. I will devote a later post to my favorite springtime skin products, but in the meantime, just make sure you wash your face every morning and night and use a light moisturizer with SPF before going outside. Classic go-to skincare regimen = done.
Let’s begin with the base- your face! (I rhyme.) It’s often tempting to wear thick or heavy foundation when you feel self-conscious about the state of your skin, but I personally think going that route only makes you look worse. Plus, when you wear a thick foundation in warm weather, especially a poorly made one, it often sweats off in an extremely disgusting way. So please- avoid the cheap, heavy foundations. If you feel less than wonderful about your skin, go for a full-coverage powder that looks natural and matches your skin tone. I like MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation because it’s well-made and actually makes your skin look flawless. It’s kinda freaky, actually.
For those of you without any major skin gripes, I recommend a tinted moisturizer or (dun dun dun)… nothing at all! I know my skin improves drastically when I’m in the sun and taking good care of my face, so I often just put a little concealer under my eyes or on a red spot and call it a day. If the thought of abandoning foundation all together frightens you, go for the tinted moisturizer. I like the ones from Bobbi Brown because they’re lightweight and smell fresh- perfect for spring!
From here, less is more. I love a pale pink blush on paler skin tones, like Thrrrob by Benefit Cosmetics, and a coral blush or bronzer, like Clinique’s Blushing Blush in Sunset Glow, on those blessed with olive or naturally tan skin. Just a little bit on your cheekbones is enough- don’t go overboard!
For your eyes, a little bit of mascara goes a long way, especially a lengthening and voluminizing one like Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One in Blackest Black. When I feel like wearing a little more, I usually use a light brown eyeliner for day or a black gel eyeliner at night. Eyeshadow is rarely necessary, but certain shades of gold and brown can be nice in the evening!
A big trend right now is bright lipstick, and if you’re into that, all the power to you. But there’s something not quite right about my lips being the color of my J.Crew tank, and further, I know my boyfriend would probably not kiss me if I had some nice tangerine-colored lips going on. I stick to lip balm or a shimmery pink gloss- Bobbi Brown makes some great glosses but the ones by Philosophy (like Cinnamon Buns or Raspberry Sorbet) taste the best!
While I put a majority of my flair into my outfits during the spring and summer, I will sometimes throw on some green eyeliner or sparkly silver shadow when I’m feeling fun. There’s nothing wrong with taking some enjoyment in your makeup, but just make sure to never do a bright lip and a heavy eye (in any season). This always looks overdone, and in some cases, trashy.
So take a trip to the mall, buy a new shade of tinted moisturizer and a fun lip gloss, and let your fresh-looking face complement your favorite spring fashion pieces!