Beauty: Less Drama For Spring!

As spring draws near, it’s time to bid adieu to heavy concealer, over-worked eye lids, and even heavier foundation for a more natural and effortless, yet always gorgeous look. There’s no need to dash to your nearest M•A•C store to purchase the latest products, though I never discourage anyone from buying more face-paint. The tools you’ll need are most likely in your make-up bag.

Tinted Moisturizer = Your Foundation + a light moisturizer w/ SPF

It’s tough finding just the right shade and decent coverage in a tinted moisturizer. Some color-tinted moisturizers simply lack enough hue for medium coverage, which most of us desire. A great alternative is to use your own foundation mixed with your favorite moisturizer. Squeeze a pea size each of your everyday liquid foundation and SPF 15 or higher moisturizer into the palm of your hand. Gently rub your hands together and apply the mixed products to your face as if you were applying lotion. For all those who oppose finger painting, grab a foundation brush — I used M•A•C Foundation Brush 190 ($32.00) — and evenly blend the foundation + moisturizer into your skin.

** My personal fav’s: M•A•C Mineralizer Satin Finish SPF 15 liquid foundation ($29.50) with a dab of M•A•C Strobe Cream ($29.50).

Soft Eyes = Light Shimmering Shades + Blend, blend, blend

The best way to brighten the eye area is with light-colored and iridescent pressed or mineral eye shadows. Iridescent simply means shimmering, and shimmering pearly shadows are perfect for a soft and unassuming daytime look. Try Dior’s Iridescent Quint – Petal Shine 809. It’s a bit pricey at $58 dollars, so for a more pocket friendly substitute, Bare Minerals has an bevy of subdue shades like Nude Beach or Jazz that work just as well ($13.00).

To apply the shadows, gently sweep the lightest color all over the lid from lashes to brow bone. Next, pack on the richer color to the center of the eyelid while lightly blending to the left. Lastly, apply the darkest color to the crease of eye and the outer edges, blending well. Blending is the key to a creating a soft and natural look.

Practice makes perfect and happy blending!