By Alyssa Boddicker
February is the month where we are all feeling the winter blues, and it can show in our faces. From dry skin to tired makeup looks, we tend to not take care of our faces as much because we’re too busy bundling up from the cold. That is why we decided to put together what to bin and what to buy for cosmetics this February to get you fresh-faced for spring.
Face
Bin: Matte foundations are loved by many but can be tricky to master. From constant powdering to patchy textures, it takes skill to keep your matte foundation staying matte. Not only are these foundations difficult to keep matte, they are drying for the skin in a time when it desperately needs moisture. So let go of matte foundations and their face-flattening qualities, and leave the time-consuming carving and highlighting for the contouring pros for now, because it’s time for a fresh face.
Buy: Fresh, dewy, “just got-out-of-the-gym-but-not-actually” skin is all the rage this spring season. What some are dubbing as the “intentionally bare” look, dewy and glowing skin is an easy and refreshing change to your face makeup routine. Best achieved using a BB cream or tinted moisturizer, you can get a light coverage with a gorgeous glow while simultaneously hydrating your skin.
One of our favorites is the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer (£34) which provides a nice sheen along with protecting SPF 20, as well as coverage that you can build up if you wish to have a more covered look. A great BB cream with a slight tint that is perfect for going out on your holidays or everyday for those who want extra protection is Vichy Laboratories’ Ideal Soleil BB Tinted Velvety Cream SPF 50+ (£15.50) which provides a glorious sheen. Our final favorite is the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (£23.40). This moisturizing gel cream is perfect for providing your skin that radiant finish while still getting a light coverage to even out your complexion.
Lashes
Bin: Gone are the days where lashes are supposed to look like two black butterflies have just perched on your eyes. It’s officially time to banish the strip lashes for a lighter alternative.
Buy: Thicker, but more sparse lashes are what we are seeing all across the runways and editorial spreads for the upcoming seasons. The best way to achieve this look is through the use of individual lashes. Spring is the season for bright-eyed freshness, especially when it comes to beauty, and individual false lashes allow for each wearer to customize just how plumped up their lashes will be. So embrace your inner Twiggy, put on some of these individual lashes. They’re sure to make your eyes pop.
Lotion
Bin: Say goodbye to your basic pump lotion that takes forever to dry and still leaves you feeling greasy afterwards. Lotions that you have to pump out and lather on are just too time consuming that we often forget to moisturize at all. The future of moisturising is here; shoot for the fast-drying, easier alternative…
Buy: Spray-on lotion is like a magical beauty hack from the future. By simply pressing a button and rotating it around your body, suddenly all your skin is equally coated in lotion, how easy! Then, the only thing you have to do is rub it in a little. Due to the thin continuous spray, the lotion is already lain perfectly on your skin and takes a simple 30-second rub down and the lotion absorbs right up. Gone are the days where you have sit around waiting for your lotion to absorb, we love Vaseline Spray & Go, is truly as easy as spraying and going.
Lips
Bin: The classic red (recently matte) lip has been a part of every beauty wardrobe for years. This isn’t a bad thing by any means, but now a red lip has just become part of the normal, everyday makeup scene. Neutral eye? Pop on a red lip. Winged eyeliner? Get a retro look simply by adding a red lip. Give your lips a break from this classic color, and especially a break from those drying matte lipsticks and give your lip wardrobe a slight twist for this coming spring…
Buy: The big lip trend this upcoming spring is a brick, rusty red. A warmer change of pace from the classic red, the color brings an orange tint that is sure to be a refreshing change from the classic red. Tinted lip balms and lighter coverage lipsticks such as Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl lipstick in Orange Magnetique (£25) is great to keep with the dewy look as well as as the rusty red color. For more of a full coverage rusty red, Chili by MAC Cosmetics (£15.50) is a perfect option.
Eyes
Bin: The neutral eye look is something that every girl has turned to time and time again. Neutral eyeshadows have become a phenomenon everywhere from runways to high street, so much so that it shocks no one when a girl walks in with a neutral eye. Why not be the change of pace and refresh your makeup look for the spring? Do away with the neutral eye (for now) and brighten up your eye makeup for spring.
Buy: Pops of color, specifically bright blues have been shown frequently on the runways and editorials for this upcoming spring season. From eyeliner to *gasp* blue eyeshadow, this look isn’t your 90’s blue eyes revisited. Brighten up your face for the upcoming months with thick blue eyeliner wings, navy smokey eyes, and even blue mascara for the more adventurous souls. Some of our favorites are the Bourjois Paris Smoky Stories Quad Eyeshadow in I Love Blue (£8) and MAC Cosmetics Chromagraphic Pencil in Hi-Def Blue (£14). If you want any more blue eye inspiration, check out our spring beauty report here.