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Color Me Spring

Some of the big trends in color this spring are twists on the annual favorites: pink, pink, pink lips and “the natural look.” Almost every new spring collection also has an infusion of shimmer – that elusive glimmer somewhere between glitter and glow.

NARS has the natural look down with their Wanderlust collection. It’s like you, only better and brighter. They describe it as “an understated look disguised in sophistication,” but I don’t think there’s any disguising the sophistication of NARS’ Lip Glosses.

The Lip Gloss in Orgasm ($23), used during New York and L.A. fashion weeks, is the perfect peachy pink shade for weekend shopping or an afternoon date. It’s the go-to gloss to swipe on when it’s the only makeup you have time for.

If you do have a bit more time, you might want to brush on the new Madly Blush ($25). Though it’s a good natural looking shade to continue your “no-makeup” pretense, the pink has a certain intensity to it – which explains its popularity during fashion week.

I’m also loving how NARS gives you detailed charts and instructions for creating any of their signature looks on their Web site. You will never again be left in the dark with two shadow shades that look like you applied them in the dark.

Also seen during New York Spring ’06 Fashion Week – Aveda’s Air Spun, Color Washed and Sun Spiced collections. I could play with the lip colors in these collections for hours, and I think I might have. The shimmery Lip Color Sheers ($14) can be used in endless combinations with the Lip Glazes ($15). The glazes also get texture points with a smooth, non-sticky consistency. My favorite combo: the pinky pink team of Lychee Splash Lip Color Concentrate with Loomed Fuchsia Lip Glaze from the Color Washed collection.

The peppermint scent of the lip products is sweet and refreshing. It reminds me of the scene in Mean Girls when Cady tries to make Regina’s face smell like a foot with peppermint foot cream, but it only makes the object of their affection like her more. There are no guarantees the scent will bring your crush in for the kiss – but it worked on Aaron!

I also really loved the Olive/Quince Petal Essence Triple Accent stick ($18) from the Sun Spiced collection. If a green eyeliner can look natural – this is the one to do it. If you’re feeling really lazy, the stick can fill all your makeup needs. The Olive end gives some oomph to your eyes and the Quince can do double duty on cheeks and lips. The eyeliner is great with the Khaki Cloud Petal Essence Single Eye Color shadow, too ($11).

For a more intense night-time green eye, DuWop has a great new kit called DuWop Eyes ($32). While each set – Green Eyes, Blue Eyes, Violet Eyes, Gray Eyes, Brown Eyes and Amber Eyes is meant for the coordinating eye color – I thought the Green Eyes set made my blue eyes pop. I was kind of scared of the intensity of the colors at first, so I gave it a test run on St. Patty’s Day when there’s no such thing as too much green. Using all the shades together was great for night, but you can tone it down by using just a few of the colors. Using this method, I was able to wear this to the office as well.

DuWop also makes my new favorite tinted moisturizer, Revolotion Face ($28). Dryer skin types might want to use a moisturizer underneath, but for my oily skin this offered the perfect amount of moisture. But the coverage is what really sold me. Other tinted moisturizers have barely registered on my face. Perhaps giving me a glow, but not much more. Revolution Face is almost like a light-weight foundation. Perfect for combining two steps – moisturizer and foundation – into one for days when you want less of a “made up” look.

At the Bronze

Sadly, my pasty white skin has yet to come into fashion. Luckily, bronzers are here to stay. I prefer the powder bronzers, and my new favorites come from Prescriptives and Clinique.

Prescriptives Sunsheen Cooling Bronzer Powder ($35) hits stores today. It gives a great natural hint of color and comes with a great brush for applying to cheeks, temples and chin. “Anywhere the sun colors your face,” as they say. I have to admit, when I first tried it out, I forgot that it was supposed to be “cooling” and it felt wet, which kind of freaked me out. I’m not sure why you’d need a bronzer to have a “cooling” effect, but I’m sure on a hot July day I will not complain.

Darker skin tones might want to go to Clinique and their True Bronze Brush On Bronzer in True Glow for their natural color. It’s a bit more intense on pale skin tones, great for night. It comes in a convenient mineral makeup-esque applicator. The click of a button distributes the product onto the attached brush, and allows for easy, controllable transfer to the face. Perfect to throw in a beach bag to maximize your tan.

If you want to go beyond natural to simply beyond, try Clinique’s glam Shimmering Tones Powder ($28) in peach bronze. It leaves a pinky-bronze glow and a touch of sparkle great for a formal event or hot date. It hits counters in May, but only while supplies last, so hurry!

Pout for Pink

Pink lips may have been taken to the extreme on the runway, but the girl looking for a more wearable color will have plenty of choices.
For ultra affordable ($1) E.L.F. is always the go-to brand. I’ve been wearing their Moisture Care Lip Color in bitter pretty constantly, even though spring hasn’t yet sprung.

The Shimmering Facial Whip in pink lemonade also makes lips pretty … and eyes and cheeks. Bonus! Love those multitaskers. The Therapeutic Conditioning Balm in strawberry crème delivers just a hint of color – but the scent is to die for.

Clinique also has a great range of drenched pinks in their Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy glosses. There’s one for every skin tone: miss hibiscus is a bright pink, grape sorbet is self explanatory, pink champagne is great for girls who need to be weaned off of their brown winter lipsticks and luau is a true pearly peach. These glosses offer a really saturated color. Another standout – Colour Surge Buttershine Lipstick in Poppy Love.

And the Award for Cutest Packaging …

…goes to Hard Candy. Their Fortune Telling Gloss has the equivalent of a mini-magic eight ball in the cap. And the colors and flavors are truly those of your favorite hard candies of childhood.

The Take Out Makeup Kit comes in an adorable pink and white Chinese takeout box complete with pretty Asian floral designs. The kit has everything – in miniature: six glosses and two lip brushes, eight shadows, two applicators, a black liner and mascara, blush, concealer and bronzer! All in a pink box that would fit in the tiniest clutch.

For me, spring has always been the season of makeup experimentation. Warm weather and sun dresses (or shirt dresses, as the trend may be) just make yo
u want to put on a pretty face. Let the colors outside inspire you, and try something new!