Makeup tips to illuminate your look this spring

Shahnaz Husain *

Spring is here and we are ready to play with a little more colour in our makeup routines. As the chill of winter fades and the warmth of spring approaches, it’s a new season in full bloom. With its longer sunlit days and vivid blooming flowers, a freshness hangs in the air which lightens up your mood. Spring combines warmth with brightness in tune with rays of sunshine and blossoming nature.

Think of spring, and you immediately think of fresh florals and vibrant blooms. It’s all about embracing color in new and exciting ways. Just like the blooming flowers, your beauty products need a seasonal update.

Spring is a great time to refresh and revive your makeup style and try new trends and looks that you have been eyeing for a long time.

1) Playful Eyes

It’s all about the eyes this spring. As soon as the sun comes out, it's time to switch up makeup routine, especially when it comes to eyes. Eye makeup deserves special attention, as our eyes remain our most expressive feature. Instead of using the typical black eyeliner/black liner, you must try slightly bold, colored liner to add a pop of color to the look.

Spring is favorite time to try all those colorful eye makeup looks and pick warm berries and nude eyeshadow. Give darker, dramatic color palettes a miss and instead opt for playful combinations of textures that make your eyes pop. Primer is a must. Apply a tiny amount all over the lid, going up to the brow bone and allow it to dry naturally.

It will prevent your eye makeup from creasing, feathering, smearing and looking like an unmade bed. Apply a base color to the lids, preferably an eyeshadow that is close to your skin tone. Take the Wet/Dry Eye Brush again and apply eye shadow on the lid, taking it into the crease area. Now, using the same blending brush, smooth out the edges by blending with eyeshadow.

Add some color by applying eyeliner. Take Eye Liner Pencil directly onto the upper lash lines. Next, smooth out the lines using the Eye Brush and wing the liner out. Finish the eye look with some mascara. For dramatic lashes, apply 3 to 4 coats of mascara. Eye makeup in spring should reflect the season’s playful and light-hearted spirit.

2) Hair Color and Style

It's time to start thinking about the best spring hair colors makeover. Give one of the trendy spring and summer hair colors from a smokin’ hot fiery red to a cool silvery blonde try this season. Warmer weather is a good reason to consider a hair refresh.

A refresh can be a daring new color or a dramatic new cut, but it can also be a subtle enhancement to what you're already working with—think adding a little fullness with extensions or playing with new hair accessories.

Light hair colors with soft undertones, such as honey blonde or light auburn, can complement your spring palette. Hairstyles that embody the season’s breezy and carefree nature, like loose waves or casual braids, can add to the overall effect, creating a look that is both stylish and effortless.

This spring season is all about subtle but statement-making color that doesn't require constant upkeep. That means low-maintenance color in extra eye-catching shades-black shades, like deep espresso or dark chocolate, provide a softer alternative to true black.

These off-black shades retain the depth and richness of black hair while being less dramatic, making them easier to wear for many people. The result is a luxurious, velvety tone that’s just as striking but with a bit more softness and dimension.

Once you’ve achieved your new spring hair color, prevent it from fading by opting for a gentle shampoo and conditioner that has been specifically formulated to keep your color fresh and vivid for longer.

Mild shampoos work by deeply nourishing and protecting the hair shaft to keep your color locked in. It is also a good idea to limit how often you wash your hair because it speeds up color loss—consider using a dry shampoo from time to time. Before styling, always apply a heat protection spray and lower the temperature of your styling tools, as too much heat can dull your color.

3) Lips

The skin on the lips is thinner, delicate and sensitive than other parts of the skin. Because there is no sebaceous gland and there are many wrinkles on lips. Due to these skin properties, it is easier to lose water than other parts of the skin.

Severe thirst, dry air, product irritation, and even saliva can cause skin dehydration. And because it is a part of everyday use, such as eating, drinking and talking, it is also slower on curing once you have a problem. For most, lip balm is a worthy ally in the fight against chapped lips. But some people can’t take fragrances, flavours and preservatives found in popular balms.

Our lips are not protected from weather onslaught as they can not be covered with clothes, mittens, and toboggans like any other parts of the body. Since our lips are always exposed to weather conditions and so we have to be extremely sensitive about our daily routine for lip care.

Chapped lips are not only unsightly, but also a breeding ground for germs that can cause inflammation or a bacterial infection. The good thing is there are plenty of things that you can do to repair your lips and get ready for the warm spring weather.

Some ingredients like Castor seed oil, Shea butter, White petroleum jelly, titanium oxide/zinc oxide, Hemp seed oil, Ceramides and Dimethicone can help maintain natural hydration level in the lips while ingredients like Camphor, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, citrus, mint, Lanolin, Menthol, Phenol and Salicylic acid can be especially irritating to lips during spring time.

Paperclips, jewelry, and other everyday products made of metal can irritate your already sensitive lips. If you drink carbonated beverages or coffee instead of water, when you feel thirsty. It can be a source of dryness of your lips. It is advised to avoid carbonated bever-ages as much as you can !

We generally wipe our lips with a napkin after meals and snacks. However, because lips are very sensitive and fragile parts, applying strong friction will instantly evaporate to moisture and dry lips rapidly. Do not put the tissue directly on the lips, but you should roll the lip balm in your hand and gently wipe it off.

When purchasing your lip product, look for ingredients such as shea butter, vitamin E or natural oils that will nourish your skin. Synthetic products will only lead to build-up on your lips that will make the problem worse.

Chapstick, sunscreen and mild exfoliant will help you to fight off the effects of the weather. Look for a lip balm that includes an SPF of 30 or higher. (You will also want to use sunscreen on the rest of your face, so don’t forget to get a facial moisturizer with SPF 30 too!)

4) Jewelry

If you’re a jewellery fanatic and deep into current trends, you know that every season calls for something a bit different in your jewellery box.

Spring jewellery is all about embracing the beauty of the season. Spring calls for jewelry that is light and delicate, mirroring the gentle beauty of the season. It's not just the season that's changing—it's the ideal moment to give your jewellery collection a little refresh as well.

During spring in India, jewelry trends lean towards light, airy pieces with nature-inspired designs, floral motifs, and pastel gemstones, reflecting the season's fresh and vibrant energy. Opt for pieces in silver, white gold, or rose gold, which reflect the soft hues of spring.

Mixing matching jewellery with outfits is a trendy fashion game during the spring season. You can also go minimal with simple crystal or charms pendants with chains in rose gold plating to contrast the colourful spring outfits.

Dainty necklaces, thin bangles, and simple earrings with pastel gemstones like rose quartz, aquamarine, or moonstone can add a subtle sparkle that complements the freshness of your spring makeup.