{BEAUTY} Spring Beauty Favorites
Even though I'm by no means a master at makeup, I'm an unabashed product junkie and love trying out new colors and beauty innovations as they emerge, and definitely give in to color trends in a major way. Right now, my go-to everyday makeup is a fresh, dewy face with a bold lip and cat-eye, and with a few new palettes in my arsenal, I've started playing with a little bit of color on my lids, too. Little tweaks, like adding shimmery shadow to the corner of my eyes, and lining the waterline with a white or champagne pencil, have also added tiny updates to my overall look. It's those tiny, subtle changes in your beauty routine that can help make you look more awake, refreshed, and even toned.
SKIN
I confess that I'm not very good at moisturizing my body as much as I should. I hate how most lotions feel sticky, and find that they often take too long to absorb into my skin before I get impatient and want to either jump into bed or put on my clothes. Body oils, however, are super light and absorb into the skin super quickly. My favorite is Moroccanoil's Body Mist - it smells amazing and soaks into the skin virtually on contact. I originally received it in a gift bag, and have repurchased it once already since. It also gives a nice glow without making you look oily. I've also been using a dry brush (I use this one from The Body Shop, but the luxury-minded may prefer Clarisonic's body attachment) on my skin after showering to help get rid of some of the dead flakes and allow for better absorption.
SKIN TONE
First and foremost, I'm recommitting myself to the skin care line that has worked the best for me (Somme Institute), but I'd be lost without my trusty beauty balms, color correctors, and concealer. Though a dedicated skincare routine has kept new acne under control, I have a lot of dark spots and scarring that I try my best to cover up. In order to get a more natural, dewy look and use product more sparingly, I always apply these products with a wet sponge; the beauty blender is my favorite. On days when I want more coverage, I use Chanel CC Cream; I love its more opaque finish. Though it unfortunately only comes in one shade (a very pale yellow), it is the perfect color for my skin tone. On days when I want more sheer overage, I opt for Stila's Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, (c/o). Both products contain broad spectrum 30-spf and are packed with moisture, which is exactly what my skin needs. For my eyes, I've been using Benefit Lemon Aid, and love the pigment and creamy texture for both my lids and under-eye; it's like a cup of coffee for your face.
COLOR
A bold lip color and flushed cheek are very important for me. I never really feel "done," without either. I could probably forego all other makeup as long as I have my lipstick! Though I've only tried it in one color (La Diva) Chanel's new Luminous Matte Lip Colors are a great matte formula that is long wear without drying out your pout. I'm also in love with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics new line of Color Pencils, currently available in 11 colors plus an invisible liner. They're perfect to use as a lip-liner or stay-all-day base, and for a skilled user, can also be mixed with a medium for all over color. I have used mine with a tiny bit of rose oil on my cheeks as a stain, and it's perfect. I've also only recently gotten into highlighters, but I love NARS Adelaide Illuminator - which I apply along the cheek bone and on the apples of my cheeks. It's a very shimmery pink that is a great base to a more saturated rouge; again, a little goes a long way. If it's too pink (or too glittery) for your tastes, I also recommend NARS Copacabana. As I mentioned above, I've started playing around more with colors on my eyelids - and Urban Decay Naked 3 has probably been my favorite palette to create very natural eye contour looks.
FINISHING TOUCHES
I can't remember the last time I sported bare nails, so suffice to say maintaining strong nail game is important to me (even Buzzfeed agrees, apparently). Right now, I'm all about pastels in my wardrobe - so it stands to reason that soft hues would make their way to my beauty routine, too. Deborah Lippmann's "Blue Orchid" and "Flowers in Her Hair" are both opaque, creamy colors that have major staying power. For a more neutral tone, I also love "La Vie en Rose" which is very pale with a subtle shimmer. At last, before I head out the door, I reach for a splash of fragrance. After a year plus of thinking about it, I finally took the plunge and bought Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede. It's a beautiful fragrance but it is strong - which I think is an asset, as all I need is one spritz to last all day. Though it's a floral scent, it manages to be youthful and fresh.
I'm curious:what are the new additions and obsessions to your makeup bag? Any products out there that I must get my hands on, or beauty trends you're anxious to try?