Spring has definitely sprung into full bloom with sunny days, which means it’s time to go spring clean your makeup bag! Not only will a seasonal clean out free up some space, it will also help you become aware of what you should be adding into the bag to get you into the spirit and feel of the months ahead.
The Spring/Summer season is typically known for fresher, barely-there skin looks meaning less foundation and bright pops of colour with less deep tones used like greys and plums.
With runways in New York, London and now Milan showing off the SS14 looks, we are seeing just that – nude skin, neutral toned makeup, contouring adding shape with bold lips in orange and pink, as well as flushed cheeks!
The Nude skin trend has been seen a lot over the past couple of seasons…
Even during the cooler months, heavy foundation is a thing of the past with many trends showing that real skin is the best skin.
Now more than ever we should be thinking of our skincare routine and really trying to capture as much moisture as possible so that our radiance is shown through during the day.
We all have lack of sleep, which can give a dull appearance to our skin, but packing on more foundation is not the answer as it can look ageing and mask like.
My answer the new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II from Estée Lauder (RRP $140)
This iconic product has now been re-formulated to give even better results of smooth and hydrated skin, leaving a radiant finish every morning when you wake up – the perfect base for any makeup.
The Advanced Night Repair for eyes is also a perfect partner for the often dehydrated, delicate area.
Once your skin is more translucent from great skincare, you do not need a full coverage. My choice for this new season would be a BB cream or a very light water base foundation.
This whole season is about showing real skin and just lightly evening out problem areas like redness, rather than concealing the entire face.
To perfectly even and/or correct your skin tone for this season, plus getting a great protection from the sun’s rays, my choice is the Kiehls Actively Correcting & Beautifying BB Cream (RRP $36)
The lightweight, buildable coverage instantly conceals imperfections and blemishes, while improving tone and texture for long-lasting luminosity – also comes in 3 shades and contains vitamin C, we love that for skin brightening! It also includes an SPF 30 which is crucial as it starts to become warmer out there.
Contouring is still huge part of makeup today, shading areas we want to sharpen or give shape and lift too and then highlighting the areas we want to give a little light to balance – this is the key to any makeup, you just change the intensity depending on what else is going on with your look.
For this season, a little contouring should be a daily routine…
Using a Bronzer just to apply the lightest little lift in the socket and under the cheekbone can give any face more shape, but we don’t want it overtaking our fresh vibe we have going on for the season.
A rosy glow can be seen in some of trends from NY and London Fashion Week, but just a little amount on 
the apple of the cheek.
Sometimes a powder blush can look too placed, like it has been applied over the skin, so I love using a little lipstick from my fingertip, just on the apple and massage in, or a cheek stain like the Benefit Posietint (RRP $55)
Using fingers to dab and blend in or stipple it into the cheek with a brush, this product gives the illusion that the colour has come from within, rather than being placed. Our own redness often looks to patchy, so once applied over your BB base, it creates a radiant glow and flush – a big trend for spring!
Now the eyes at so many Spring/Summer 14 shows were either left fairly neutral, either contoured sockets or just neutral blended shadows, or if any detail at all, the liquid liner has a comeback with lined eyes and slight flicks to give lift…
But one trend I loved was a simple one-colour shadow across the lid, no shading or multi-colour, just a metallic wash on the mobile lid. Most shades were kept quite simple, but you could play it up at night with a bolder colour.
The brand new ck one colour mono eye shadows (RRP $30) are brilliant for this… I love the range and the metallic finish just captures the light beautifully. Yes you can wear them over a base smokey eye, but they are stunning just on their own, especially during these months where simple is best.
Check out the range – so spring!
Now lips are where most of you will need a spring update as it’s high time to say goodbye to your deep reds, plums and browns and have fun with pops of colour! Nude, orange and pink have been the big hits so far in lips and they look great.
The great thing about spring/summer is that your makeup can be so low maintenance and quick with fresh skin, simple eyes and then place a bold orange or pink lip on and bam, you look red carpet worthy!
Most celebrities are opting for the bold colour because they are time poor and it instantly dresses up your look. – as you can see below with Nicole Ritchie taking a runway tangerine lip and making it her own.
Pink lips were also a big hit, yes the typical fuchsia, but even a pastel side for spring was very present…
To get your perfect spring lip, try out the Makeup Store lipsticks (RRP $35) They have such a large range, amazing pigments and very affordable – I have loved these in my kit of late.
So ladies, have a rummage, clean out those makeup bags and start a fresh with good skin, radiance and SPF, with pops of colour and an overall simple approach to your spring beauty – enjoy the sunshine.
