Top Drugstore Makeup Picks For Spring

After wearing thicker foundations, darker eyeshadows and berry lips for the past, six months, I'm so excited to pare my makeup back and give myself a fresher, glowing look. Spring makeup is all about radiant skin, rosy cheeks and some brighter hues and I've found a great selection of affordable products to deliver just that.

As soon as Spring arrives, my skin breathes a sigh of relief. I'm all for fuller-coverage, velvet-finish foundations during A/W, but when the weather heats up, my dry skin craves something lighter and dewy. The glorious sunshine we've experienced recently, calls for a high SPF, tinted moisturiser and Dr Jart have got that covered. The Dr Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm is my favourite at the moment, as my skin is still feeling the effects of cold winds and central heating. More nourishing than the others in the line, this base gives the skin a boost of hydration and radiance, whilst evening out the complexion. Only available in one shade, it does look fairly dark when squeezed out, but it's sheerer than it appears and adapts to any skin-tone. It may look ashy on anyone darker than an olive skin-tone, though.

If I fancy using more of a traditional foundation, but still want a natural finish, then I'll turn to the L'Oreal Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation. Practically a carbon copy of the Armani Maestro Foundation, this is unlike any other on the high-street market. With a water-like, fluid consistency, this base feels totally weightless, which is just what you want during the summer months. Best applied with fingers, it blends into the skin seamlessly and, giving a second-skin finish, it's virtually undetectable on the face (providing you get the right colour-match, of course). As the formula is so light and fresh, it doesn't feel particularly comforting and it can cling to dry areas slightly. But, if you're looking for a radiant finish without too much of a shine or tacky feel, then this is perfect.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush Seductive Pink Swatch

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush Soft Murano Swatch

The colour I associate most with Spring, is pink and blush is the perfect product to incorporate the colour into your look. For the rest of the year, I'm much more of a peachy coral, bronze girl, but I love me some rose tones during this season. I'm still obsessed with the Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes, which I've done a full review on, if you're interested. These marbled, baked blushes are an amazing dupe for the expensive Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes and 'Seductive Pink' is ideal for Spring. Combining swirls of hot pink and coral, this shade instantly perks up the face. Providing a hint of colour and shimmering highlight in one, they have a soft-focus finish that gives a lit from within glow. 

If you prefer a cream blush option, I love the Maxfactor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Murano. Now, this is strictly more of a red than a pink, but the warmer shade gives the cheeks a healthy, natural flush of colour. These cream blushes have quite a rich, thick texture in the pot, but once blended onto the cheek, there's no greasy feeling to it. If you have a drier skin, then you'll love the dewy finish that these have, as they don't dry down to a powder, like most cream blushes do. Be warned, this shade is very strongly pigmented, so you only need a touch of product per cheek, otherwise you could be left looking permanently embarrassed.

To keep with the glowing skin theme, highlighter is a must. On an everyday basis, I like to use a brightening concealer, as it's a more subtle way of achieving a highlighted look. Rimmel's Match Perfection 2-in-1 Concealer & Highlighter is my product of choice, as the formula has a gorgeous luminescence to it, without being full of visible, unflattering shimmer or glitter. Brushed on to the high points of the face and under the eyes, it does an awesome job of illuminating the skin and disguising signs of fatigue. The soft, brush applicator makes it easy to apply the product precisely where you want it, too.

For a powder highlighter, Soap & Glory's Glow All Out Lumizing Face Powder is a Spring essential in my makeup bag. Although the powder looks rather bright and off-putting in the pan, it doesn't translate as such on the skin and the pink hue helps to counteract any dull, grey tones. In fact, the powder is so sheer, that it can be used in strategic places, or all-over, without leaving behind a noticeable, pink veil of colour. Being so finely-milled, the silver shimmers are so subtle that this highlighter can be worn both day or night., without the worry that you'll start glinting in the sunshine.

Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick Bashful Swatch

Collection Cream Puff Moisturising Lip Cream Fairy Cake Swatch

Now is around the time I start cracking out my brighter, lip colour options. But, I don't always want to wear something too bold and in-your-face. For those days, I love the Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Bashful. A cool-toned, soft pink with the slightest dusting of silver shimmers, it's one of those easy-to-wear shades. These gloss sticks are some of my favourite lip products of all-time, due to the formula being so nourishing and creamy. Not only do they feel amazing, but they make your lips look bee-stung and plumped, with a vinyl-shine. With one swipe, you get a sheer hint of colour, but you can easily build it up to become more intense. Despite having a glossy finish, they're not at all sticky and the wear-time is impressive for this type of product. 

Whenever I'm in the mood for a matte finish, I tend to reach for the Collection Cream Puff Lip Creams. My favourite shade of the four on offer, Fairy Cake is a bright coral that is just made for S/S. The problem that most people have with matte formulas, is that they're drying and uncomfortable. These aren't. Strictly, they're probably more of a semi-matte finish, but they look the part, feel velvety-soft and are long-lasting. Plus, they smell good enough to eat! The only problem is, as you can see from my swatch, lips really need to be in great condition to get away with wearing these lip creams, as they will exaggerate any lumps and bumps. Other than that, I love them!  

Bourjois Colorband Eyeshadow & Liner 05 Mauve Baroque Swatch

Loreal Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad Nude Lingerie Swatch

When I set my sights on the Bourjois Colorband Eyeshadow & Liner in Mauve Baroque, I had Spring makeup in mind. Most of the time, I stick to safe neutrals when it comes to my eyes, but I do like wearing purple tones, as they compliment and accentuate my brown eyes. Mauve Baroque is a gorgeous, mauve shade saturated with silver shimmer, that looks like sparkling water when blended out. These creamy, eyeshadow sticks are so quick and easy and can double up as an eyeliner, if you're stuck without one. Depending on how much you layer and blend the product, you can either achieve a sheer wash of colour or a stronger, dramatic look. Setting in place after a minute or so, the colour becomes waterproof and holds on for dear life.

L'Oreal's Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad in Nude Lingerie is just perfect for this season. The shimmery, muted tones are so pretty and the four shades all compliment each other. Soft and smooth, the texture of the shadows is lovely and they takes seconds to blend. Considering they're relatively cheap, the pigmentation levels are impassive, although they do kick up a little dust when used. I'm intrigued to see how long it takes before I hit pan on these eyeshadows, though, as the palette is suspiciously light and it doesn't look like it holds much.

What high-street makeup do you love for Spring?

AGB X