Fresh Face Makeup Look For Spring
Living in the Rocky Mountains, it's hard to say goodbye to winter definitively (who knows it could snow tomorrow) but we are saying Hello to Spring and hoping she stays!
I always change up my makeup look with the change of the season but one thing remains the same- I want my skin to have that "I just left-my-facialist" look. You know - that dewy, radiant, youthful looking skin. Focus on letting your skin's radiance shine through with the perfect fresh face makeup spring look!
The key to ensuring your makeup has that dewy glow depends heavily on how you prep / treat your skin.
- Gently exfoliate your skin 2-3 times per week (more or less- depending upon how your skin tolerates it). Doing this will ensure that your face looks radiant and smooth.
- After cleansing/exfoliating - use a hot washcloth and press onto your face - this promotes better circulation and preps the skin to receive the skincare.
- Apply your skincare - for the proper order to apply your skincare, read my post here.
- Let your skincare absorb into your skin before appling your makeup, 5-10minutes.
After Skincare...
Step 1 Primer
Believe me when I say that this step is worth it. Face primer will ensure that your foundation looks flawless. It creates a smooth surface, corrects redness / pigmentation and will help keep your foundation looking fresh all day long. I prefer to apply primer with my fingers.
I'm obsessed with the Colorscience Even Up Pigment Perfector. It's a three-in-one formula that instantly evens skin tone, provides SPF 50 protection all while brightening the skin. Get yours here. For my Vail local friends, you can stop into Vail Dermotology and pick one up today.
SHOP PRIMERS
Step 2 Foundation
To achieve a youthful glow you need to choose a foundation that that has a dewey, illuminating or radiant finish. There are endless options of foundations to choose from and at various price points. A few of my favorites are listed below.
Application
- Be conservative. Start by applying a pea size amount of foundation onto the back ofyour hand, then you can add more until you have the right amount of coverage. I like my skin to look like skin - not a face caked in foundation. Also, you don't have to apply the same amount everyhwere on your face. I like more coverage on my cheekbones and around my nose and I apply less on my forehead.
- Apply from the inside out. Start by blending your foundation in the center of your face and work it to the perimeter (forehead, ears and neck). Don't forget your ears and to blend onto your neck.
- I go back and forth between using a foundation brush and a beauty blender. Remember - if you are using a beauty blender, don't forget to get the blender wet prior to using it. And as for finger application - if it works for you go for it.
Pro Tips
- Add a drop of facial oil to your foundation - creating a seamless, second-skin look.
- Mix Colors - your skin may change colors depending on the season. I recommend purchasing your skin tones "winter" shade and "summer" shade. You will always be able to create the perfect shade for your skin.
SHOP FOUNDATIONS
Step 3 Concealer
You didn't get those 8 hours of sleep. You didn't drink enough water the day before. You drank too much wine last night. Kids, work, life, ugh .... Say hello, to your lifesaver -concealer!
Application
- If there are any areas where foundation simply wasn't enough - such as dark undereye circles, red blemishes or spots, apply concealer over them and tap it into the skin ( I prefer using a beauty blender ). I apply concealer after my foundation, but really you can apply it before or after - it's up to you.
- Set concealer with a translucent powder immediately after application to prevent your concealer from creasing. My favorite is Laura Mercier's Translucent Setting Powder.
SHOP CONCEALERS
Step 4 Contour / Bronzer
I often get asked the question, "how do I contour my face?" Contouring means to carve out or to make something appear smaller / slimmer (nose or forehead) and to enhance a feature (cheekbones and jawline). I love using Bobbi Brown stick foundations in a few shades darker than my skin tone, it goes on so smoothly and blends well.
Application
- Using a cream or powder bronzer (that is two shades darker than your natural skintone) apply it to the temples, cheekbones and jawline. Draw a 3 - sweeping from the hairline to the cheekbone then to the jawline. Think about the areas on your face that you want to appear sun-kissed.
- Using a damp beauty blender, blend the bronzer into the skin using a pouncing motion, lifting upwards. Make sure to go into the hairline and to blend completely on the jawline and onto the neck.
Pro Tips
- For a natural bronzed look, choose a matte finish. Shimmery bronzers are great for illuminating the skin and giving that fresh sun-kissed glow, but not so much for contouring the face.
- Powder bronzers are best for beginners because they go on more sheer and give you the most control.
SHOP BRONZERS
Step 5 Blush
Application of blush is totally a personal choice and depends on the shape of your face. You can apply it to the apples of the cheeks or high on the cheekbones.
Application
- Slim or Round Face- Sweep it along your cheekbones and extend the color to your temples
- Heart Shaped Face- Apply blush below the apples of your cheeks and blend out into the hairline.
- Long Face - Blend blush beneath your apples.
Pro Tips
- A little goes a long way. You want to start light then build if you need to.
- If you have dry skin, try using a cream blush.
- Do you have a lip stick color you love? Apply it to your cheeks too!
SHOP BLUSHES
Step 6 Highlighter
Key to getting that Fresh Face Spring Makeup look? Highlight, but of course. Learning how to use highlighter on our skin is key to achieving a radiant makeup look.
Application
- Apply highlighter at the top of your cheekbones, brim of the nose, cupids bow, center of your forhead, and center of your chin.
Pro Tip
- Yep, there is a thing as too much highlighter. Remember, less is more especially when you want a fresh face makeup look. Also, highlighter looks most radiant outside -so after you apply your highlighter go outside to check it's illumination.
- Choosing the right color is important. Choose a highlighter that's two shades lighter than your foundation. If you have fair skin, go for a pink-hue. If you have medium skin, opt for a peach-hue. And if you have dark skin, try a bronze highlighter.
SHOP HIGHLIGHTERS
Step 7 Eyeshadow
I love a good smokey eye, but for this Fresh Face Spring Makeup look, it's more about creating radiant skin and less about a dramatic eye. I recommend choosing a neutral color (taupe, pink, mauve or bronze) eye shadow and sweep it over the eyelid up to the crease. Then pop on a lighter shade just below the brow. Quick and easy.
Pro Tip
- Sweep your shadow under your bottom lashes. This creates a soft shadow under your eye.
- Love your highlighter? Use it as your shadow base too.
SHOP EYESHADOWS
Step 8 Brows
Create a natural eyebrow look by using a pencil color that is as close to or slightly lighter than the color of your natural eyebrow hair. To add dimension, start in the middle of the brow filling in and add a bit of an arch. Go light handed at the beginning of the brow and at the tail of the brow.
Pro Tip
- To ensure a defined brow - use a small brush and apply concealer under the brow.
- Apply an eybrow gel to set your brows.
- Brush brows out with a spool to create a natural brow look.
SHOP BROWS
Step 9 Lips
For this Fresh Face Spring Makeup look go neutral with the lips.
Application
- Apply a lipstick or lip stain.
- Lip liner? As you mature lip liner becomes a great friend. She keeps your lipstick from bleeding and she adds a little volume to your pout. I recommend applying lipliner after you have applied your lipstick or lipstain.
- Final touch for the perfect jucy lips - apply a lipgloss to the center of your top and bottom lip.
Pro Tip
- Luscious lips equal soft, smooth lips. So before applying any lip color, it's super important to have soft and moisturized lips. I love using a lip scrub to exfoliate any dead skin cells to create a smooth base for my lip color. I love the Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Pink Grapefruit!
- How to choose the best neutral color for you? Choose a color 1-2 shades darker than your natural lip color.
SHOP LIPS
My Fresh Face Makeup Look For Spring
Primer - Colorscience // Foundation - Guerlain // Concealer - Bobbi Brown //
Bronzer - Bobbie Brown // Blush - Laura Mercier // Highlighter - Guerlain //
Eye Shadow - Laura Mercier // Brows - Lancome // Lips - Dior & Clinique
I'd love to hear about your spring makeup routine (comment below)- What products are you loving right now? What's your go-to foundation? And please, remember to apply your sunscreen.
xx, Brook