Powder eyeshadow and matte lipstick are my staples during the winter, but around this time of year, I usually find myself craving a change-up in my makeup routine. My favorite way to shake things up? Checking out not just the fresh shades of the season, but the innovative new textures that are available. From demi-matte liquid lipstick to silk-finish nail polish (seriously!), there’s a plethora of pretty picks on my spring favorites list this year — read on to find your next makeup bag must-haves!
*featured photo of Shanina Shaik via Modern Art + Style
Watercolor blush? Sign me up! I absolutely love a sheer flush, especially in the springtime (I’d say that blush is my favorite part of my makeup routine), so I will absolutely be adding this super-light, easy-to-use product into the mix. In fact, I may need more than one shade…
Infallible Never Fail Smokissime Powder Eyeliner Pen
Liquid, gel and pencil liners are all great for a super-sharp and defined eye, but in the springtime, linear cat eyes can seem a little, well, much. Enter L’Oréal’s new powder eyeliner, which can be applied as liner or as allover eyeshadow. I’m digging the taupe for a subtly sexy warm-weather look.
Too Faced Melted Metal Lipstick
Metallic lipstick may seem a little…intense, but hear me out. First of all, the metallic trend is not going away anytime soon (mirrored sunglasses, anyone?), but second of all, this look is surprisingly pretty. The finish is less disco-ball and more lit-from-within glow — I’ll be wearing Debutante, a beautiful pink-apricot, to the many summer weddings I have coming up.
Pixi Glow Mist
Listen, there’s nothing wrong with boosting your complexion with your standard cream highlighter — but for a truly otherworldly glow that won’t get greasy in the heat, how about this weightless glow mist? This spray adds weightless moisture and nourishment — and is paraben-free to boot.
Formula X Technicolor Silks
We’ve seen everything from matte- to leather-finish nail polishes in the last few years, and I have to say that I haven’t been very inspired to change up my usual glossy-finish mani — that is, until I laid eyes on this unique “silk-finish” polish. I have my eye on the lilac shade, which is sure to add spring-y flair to even the most basic outfit.
e.l.f. Smudge Pot
Cream eyeshadows always sound appealing to me, but unfortunately I find that the reality is that they look lovely for about a half an hour, until they inevitably either smudge themselves into oblivion or crease unattractively. My ideal solution? A gel shadow. It’s much easier to apply than powder or cream, and — bonus! — it stays put forever. I am dying to get my hands on this lovely bronze shade.
It may seem strange to include a product on this list that has no texture at all — but that’s what’s so cool about these weightless pigment drops. You can mix as much or as little as you like into your favorite moisturizer or serum for extra coverage with zero added weight — I’m thinking that I’ll choose to mix with a SPF-packed gel moisturizer when things get steamy here in NYC.
I’m a big fan of a classic matte lip, both for the look and also for its long-lasting abilities. But, similarly to liquid liner, a true matte lipstick can feel a bit serious once the mercury starts to rise. Enter this ingenious “demi-matte” liquid lip color from Laura Mercier — same killer color payoff, with a much softer finish. I’m majorly tempted to sport Sunblaze with a polka-dot bikini come summer!
