Spring and Summer are by far my favourite seasons and the beauty trends for this time of year are right up my street. Spring is all about sheer, glossy formulas and brighter pops of colour...
When the weather starts to heat up, skin doesn't want to be suffocated in lashings of heavy-duty foundation. Much more flattering, sheerer bases are the way to go, to let your skin shine through and remain looking natural in any harsh, direct sunlight. Tinted moisturisers hit the nail on the head for Spring, allowing skin to breathe and giving a boost of hydration, all whilst protecting the skin. Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser is just amazing and one of my all time must-haves. Skin is left glowing with radiance and imperfections are blurred out. If you want to step up the level of coverage, then the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation is ideal. Water based, this has a light, whipped texture that glides onto the skin and effortless evens everything out. Dewy, the complexion isn't shiny or greasy looking, but has a lovely sheen to it. Never fear, if you don't feel entirely comfortable in only a light base, a quick slick of concealer hides any areas that may need an extra, helping hand. The Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer has a wonderfully rich texture, which blends in so well that you can barely notice it on the skin. It gives a generous amount of coverage for both the under-eye area and the complexion and imparts a natural glow, all without making skin look dry and flakey. The cardinal sin of Spring is go OTT with our base application, which we've all been a victim of at some point, I'm sure. So, to rectify a cakey mistake and bring it back from the brink, the Urban Decay Setting Sprays are perfect. Not only does a light misting keep makeup looking as skin-like as possible, by preventing that obvious, powdery finish from giving the game away, but the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray helps to hold everything in place all day and night, too. Who can be bothered touching up their makeup when they're having too much fun in the sun?!
Keeping with the dewy skin theme, I favour cream blushes over powder formulas in Spring, to leave skin with a more believably blushed finish. The Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Creams have more of a wet, creamy texture that very much stays glossy, once on the cheek. You don't need much to achieve some killer emphasis on those cheekbones, either. So smooth in texture, they blend like a dream and each of the shades have very real, genuine, blush tones to them. With more of a cream to powder formula, the Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blushes, pack a punch in the pigment stakes, bringing a pop of colour to the face instantly. As they dry down to a matter finish, compared to the Stila beauties, they really do stick around all day, without needing to top up. If you have particularly oily skin and worry about using cream formulas, then they may convert you! The newest release, the Clarins Multi-Blush in Peach has been gracing my face a lot during the past, few weeks. Despite looking the brightest in the compact, it's much subtler than my previous mentions and it definitely takes a few layers to really build up the colour. Infused with golden shimmer, this product leaves the face so bright and happy, without being at all obvious. The lightest of the formulas, it's totally non-sticky and feels like nothing on the skin. Even when applied over powdered skin, this blush doesn't go at all patchy and it barely needs any blending. No chance of looking like a clown if you're scared of using blush, I promise!
 |
| Bourjois Little Round Pot Cream Blush Swatches - 01 Nude Velvet, 02 Healthy Glow, 03 Rose Tender & 04 Sweet Cherry |
 |
| Stila Convertible Colour Swatches - Gerbera, Peony & Camellia |
 |
| Clarins Multi-Blush cream Blush 01 Peach Swatch |
With the base and brows being pared back for Spring, a burst of bright, bold colour on the lips is a great way to mix things up a bit. Orange tones are bang on trend this season and whether you want to go all out or are a bit shy with colour, there's a plethora of options for everyone's taste. First up are the more adventurous choices that I have raring to go for Spring/Summer. Rimmel's In Love With Ginger has an almost luminous, fiery, orange-toned, red colour paired with a light, super shiny, moisturising finish. I'd definitely recommend using a lip liner with this, as things can get a little smudgy if you aren't careful. New on the market, the Dior Fluid Stick in Pandore is another daring choice. A lipstick and gloss hybrid, the colour is almost neon, but has a translucency to it, giving a bee-stung, wet-look effect. So fresh and delicious and long-lasting, too. On the very edge of what you could consider an orange (cheeky!) is Revlon's Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Provocateur Femme Fatale. Rich in colour and texture, this is a deeper option that both looks and feels so luxe, but without the high price tag.
Orange tones don't have to be so vivid or in-your-face and subtler lips have more of a pretty, feminine feel for Spring. Bobbi Brown's Pink Apricot Shimmer is absolutely saturated with finely-milled, golden flecks. Whilst the gentle, peach colour is soft and warming, the shimmer really brings this lipstick alive and gives your pout a bit of a plump. If you fancy something with a matte texture, that isn't at all drying or uncomfortable to wear, look no further than the Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream in Fairy Cake. The peachy, coral cream does take some layering to get it staying perfect, but it's just stunning and smells good enough to eat! Want something long-wearing? YSL's Glossy Stain in Corail Aquatique gives a juicy, peach tint to the lips that refuses to budge throughout the day and doesn't need any touch ups. Lips get a long-lasting, glossy finish and the subtle silver shimmer adds a touch more shine. For a sheer, coral sheen, the Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant Lipstick in Coral Tulip is great. Easy to wear, it has a nourishing, balmy feel to it, meaning you don't have to be too careful when applying this lip colour and it's perfect for everyday. Applied lightly, you get only a hint of colour, but you can easily ramp it up by layering on some more.
 |
| Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick In Love With Ginger Swatch |
 | ||||
| Bobbi Brown Lip Colour Pink Apricot Shimmer Swatch |
 |
| Collection Cream Puff Lip Cream Fairy Cake Swatch |
 |
| YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain 7 Corail Aquatique Swatch |
 |
| Clarins Joli Rouge Brilliant Lipstick 20 Coral Tulip Swatch |
PASTEL NAILS
Year after year, pastels are always a major, predictable trend for Spring. My favourite way to incorporate them into my look, is with nail colour. Barry M's Greenberry sits on the edge of pastel I think, but the colour is sensational. The hype around the hi-shine, gel formula, is well justified too. Thick, the polish is opaque in just one coat and has a smooth, flawless finish to it. Rimmel's Mary Mary Quite Contrary is a beautiful, pale lavender shade that isn't too white, nor too purple. The sheerer formula needs a bit more work than others to prevent streaking, as the consistency is quite thin. It does stand up to the 60 second application time, though, as the brush is thick and wide, with a rounded tip, which is a godsend for when you're in a rush. Rococo Flower Town Luxe is a sweet, candy pink. Having warm, almost peachy, undertones to it, it looks so gorgeous with a tan. The thin brush does mean that application takes some patience, but the creme formula looks gorgeous after three coats. For a staple nude, I've been loving Topshop Buck Naked. Instead of leaning too pink or too brown, this is a neutral shade that I think would flatter pretty much all skin tones. For the cheap and cheerful cost, the quality of the formula is top notch, too. Nails Inc. Oxford Circus just screams Spring for me. A stark, Barbie-esque, purple-pink shade, this is a great one to liven up any outfit.
 |
| Swatches - Barry M Greenberry, Rimmel Mary Quite Contrary, Rococco Flower Town Luxe, Topshop Buck Naked, Nails Inc. Oxford Circus |
NATURAL BROWS
Brows are best kept nice and natural this season. Rather than opt for my usual MAC Omega and Brun mix, applied with my angled brow brush, I switch to a pencil form for the hotter months. The Clinique Superfine Liner For Brows is soft, but despite not claiming to be waterproof, I've been swimming with this on and it hasn't moved a muscle or ended up leaving a trail down my face. Long-lasting, the creamy pencil looks so natural and, if you work in gentle strokes, you can add some volume and shape to your brows, without them turning into the dreaded 'scouse brow'. Another great brow product for Spring/Summer is the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil. With a finely tipped pen on one end and a firm, waxy-textured crayon on the other, you're armed with everything you need for perfect brows. The pointed pen allows you to recreate the look of individual brow hairs, without leaving behind any excess product. Then, the waxy crayon adds an extra hint of colour, whilst holding everything in place. Brows aren't left looking powdery or caked and have a more real, glossy look to them. And to finish everything off? There are a plethora of various brow gels on the market, but No7's Clear Lash & Brow Perfector, is just as good as high-end options, for a fraction of the price. If you're naturally blessed with perfectly shaped, full eyebrows, then this will be all you need! A slick of the tiny, tapered wand tames those bushy beauties and keeps brows from fluffing up throughout the day. But, if you've used a brow pencil underneath, this will coat the hairs and help to prevent moisture of any kind from ruining all your hard work.
What are your Spring essentials? Which trends do you love to dabble with during this season?
AGB X
Brows are best kept nice and natural this season. Rather than opt for my usual MAC Omega and Brun mix, applied with my angled brow brush, I switch to a pencil form for the hotter months. The Clinique Superfine Liner For Brows is soft, but despite not claiming to be waterproof, I've been swimming with this on and it hasn't moved a muscle or ended up leaving a trail down my face. Long-lasting, the creamy pencil looks so natural and, if you work in gentle strokes, you can add some volume and shape to your brows, without them turning into the dreaded 'scouse brow'. Another great brow product for Spring/Summer is the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Tint & Precision Shaping Pencil. With a finely tipped pen on one end and a firm, waxy-textured crayon on the other, you're armed with everything you need for perfect brows. The pointed pen allows you to recreate the look of individual brow hairs, without leaving behind any excess product. Then, the waxy crayon adds an extra hint of colour, whilst holding everything in place. Brows aren't left looking powdery or caked and have a more real, glossy look to them. And to finish everything off? There are a plethora of various brow gels on the market, but No7's Clear Lash & Brow Perfector, is just as good as high-end options, for a fraction of the price. If you're naturally blessed with perfectly shaped, full eyebrows, then this will be all you need! A slick of the tiny, tapered wand tames those bushy beauties and keeps brows from fluffing up throughout the day. But, if you've used a brow pencil underneath, this will coat the hairs and help to prevent moisture of any kind from ruining all your hard work.
What are your Spring essentials? Which trends do you love to dabble with during this season?
AGB X
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for taking the time to read this post and leave a comment! I try to reply to each and every one of them within 24 hours! x