GLOWING SKIN

CREAMY CHEEKS

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

Clarins Multi-Blush cream Blush 01 Peach Swatch

BRIGHT, ORANGE-TONED LIPS

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.

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