Towards the end of winter I start to notice that my complexion and mood aren’t the only things looking a little drab. My makeup routine suffers as well. I try to be really consistent with my skincare throughout the year—especially in the dry winter months. But my makeup palette never deviates from the browns and grays all through the colder temps. As soon as the first sign of spring blooms, I’m pulling out pinker blushes, lippies and all. the. color. I love making the seasonal switch in my makeup bag as it keeps things from feeling stale. I’m treating my makeup bag like a capsule wardrobe—basics, staples, and a few statement pieces. Tailor your spring beauty routine to fit your needs by selecting key pieces in each of these categories.

Prep. Your makeup is only going to look as good as your canvas—your skin! I’m always preaching skincare, thanks to my Nanny who preached it to me for so many years. (Be sure to check my beauty story highlight on Instagram for all of my current skincare faves.) I like to use micellar water on a cotton round when I first wake up. I then press an oil or serum into the high points of my face because I favor a dewy look and it makes the skin look so healthy! Let it sit for about 30 seconds before applying anything on top. Note: if you have combination/oily skin like me, consider skipping the t-zone.
Conceal. I’m all about using a beauty blender (the Real Techniques sponges are amazing!) with as little product as possible to conceal and smooth any skin imperfections while still letting your SKIN show through. Flaunt those freckles, girl! I love a good high end foundation as well as the next gal, but for me, nothing compares to my Milani foundation right now. It’s cheap and wears like a dream. Win win. If you don’t have major dark circles (lucky!!) then you can also use this foundation as a concealer—it layers and builds beautifully. Refrain from powdering your entire face and just dust on some translucent powder under the eye or wherever you may need to set your product or take down any major shine.
Glow. A lot of money is spent in the cosmetic skincare industry for youthful, glowing skin. By the time I had an appreciation for it, I was already in the throes of motherhood and lack of sleep so… I fake it. Bonus points for products that do double duty—lip and cheek tint. Benetint is such a classic and the color gives the most natural flush. Tip: Work on one cheek at a time because this product dries quick. Dot the highlighter on the high points of your cheekbones—another thing I have to fake—and blend with your ring finger. All you chiseled cheekbone ladies, I envy you! Now would also be the time to dust on a bit of bronzer, focusing on the hairline and bridge of the nose, if you desire.
Color. Pick a feature and play it up. Eyes or lips are the most obvious choices for color real estate. I’ve been wearing this Milani lipstick in “Pretty Natural” on repeat lately and keep this Smith’s Minted Rose lip balm with me at all times! I’m a huge fan of a bold brow, a fun liner look, or a pink pout—just maybe not all at the same time. The trick is to keep everything feeling really light, fresh and simple. Play up a different feature the next few times you do your makeup for your own springtime “glow up” challenge.