Ah, the cold winter months are finally over, and it’s time to exchange our winter skincare products and darker hues for lightweight, long-lasting, beautifully bright colors! To find out what the latest spring makeup trends are, we went to Woo Skincare and Cosmetics where makeup artist Ann Mendelssohn pointed us in the right direction.
Foundation
One of the most important beauty products to focus on anytime of year is foundation, but it’s especially important when the weather is warming up because you want a formula that will stay on throughout the day, even if you sweat. Here are two new foundations that are long-lasting and will give you the coverage you need.
Trish McEvoy’s Even Skin Water Foundation
Trish McEvoy’s Even Skin Water Foundation is lightweight and perfect for warmer months. Its formula comes in six different shades and blends evenly, so your makeup won’t look thick or cakey. Plus,”It blurs imperfections, brightens complexion and has a silky matte finish,” says Ann. We also like that the foundation contains Vitamin C and E, which help with any sort of discoloration. Woo carries it for $58.
All six shades are absolutely stunning.
Revision Skincare Intellishade
If you want to go the tinted moisturizer route, Ann suggests trying Revision Skincare Intellishade for $52, which comes in two different formulas — hydrating or matte. She says, “It helps prevent sunburn, but also gives great coverage and matches every skin tone, every time. It’s the perfect amount of coverage for this time of year.”
Intellishade is great for when you need just a little bit of coverage.
Lips
“Spring is all about big, bold color for lips!” Ann exclaims — and from all the bright shades we saw in the store, she isn’t kidding! Here are two products that really stuck out during our visit:
Bobbi Brown Art Stick Liquid Lip
One of Woo’s favorite products for bright lips is Bobbi Brown’s Art Stick Liquid Lip, $28. “It’s a vibrant creamy, moisturizing lipstick that’s long-lasting and anti-feathering,” says Ann. We like that it comes in a squeeze tube so we don’t have to deal with the hassle of a brush. “Anybody can wear it because there are so many color options,” she adds. Find it in 17 different colors.
SB’s favorite shade? Pink Punch!
We were completely impressed with the pigment of the art stick lip liquids.
Chantecaille Matte Chic
Another great option is Chantecaille’s Matte Chic Liquid Lipstick, $38, which is full of vibrant pigments, long-lasting, extremely moisturizing and comes in six amazing shades that are perfect for spring or summer. Ann shared a little tip on how to create fuller lips with Matte Chic: “You can use the tip of the brush as a lip liner and then fill it all in.”
SB’s favorite shade? Marissa, but it was hard to pick just one!
We want one in every shade!
Eyes
Keep your eye makeup from running or creasing from the Southern heat and humidity with two great options:
Nars Velvet Shadow Sticks
We’re always looking for products that have multiple uses, and Nars Velvet Shadow Sticks, $29 each, are exactly what we’ve been looking for! Each stick is waterproof, smudge proof and crease proof and can be used as both a shadow or liner. You really can’t get much better than that!
SB’s favorite shade? Sukhothai for its beautiful green tones with flecks of gold.
We tried to smudge these after applying them on our hand, and the colors wouldn’t budge!
Chantecaille Mermaid Matte
Chantecaille’s limited edition Mermaid Matte threesome, $95, is another long-lasting option for gorgeous eye shadow. The three velvety matte shades instantly smooth and contour your lid, and each pot is, according to Ann, “is infused with Vitamin E and silk tree bark extract to help with appearance of a lifted eye.” We love that a portion of the proceeds from each set’s sales goes toward three amazing charities run by women benefitting lions, bees and elephants.
Use one color or all three to add definition to the eye.
Purchase proceeds go toward three great causes, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Lion Guardians and the Elephants and Bees Project.
Blush
Rosy cheeks are always a must during spring to give your face a fresh, youthful glow.
Bobbi Brown’s Illuminating Cheek Palette
For a beautiful pop of color and bronzer, try Bobbi Brown’s Illuminating Cheek Palette, $50, from her limited edition Havana Nights Collection. It has blush, bronzer and highlighter all in one compact! “You can combine all three colors or use them each individually,” Ann suggests. The brush is sold separately for $28.
Get your blush, bronzer and highlighter all in one compact.
Nars NARScissist Cheek Palette
Nars NARScissist Cheek Palette, $59, gives you plenty of options to choose from when it comes to perfectly pastel cheeks! Take your pick from one of its six shades, or blend them together to create your own hue. “People just love having that option of having lots of blush colors and mixing them!” Ann says, before pointing out, “Some people use some of the colors as eyeshadows because they have the gold undertones.”
You can even use the bronzy shades as eyeshadow.
Body
Warmer weather means showing a little more skin, which means taking a few extra steps to make sure we’re in tip-top shape.
Chantecaille Rose de Mai Body Oil
If we could afford to bathe in Chantecaille’s Rose de Mai Body Oil, $95, we would do it every day — seriously. We were completely blown away by how beautifully it highlights our skin, giving a supple glow without looking shiny or getting sticky. “It’s a dry oil so it doesn’t leave any residue,” says Ann. Plus, it’s extremely hydrating, leaving skin soft and smooth even after it’s off, which is always an added bonus.
SB TIP: For a J-Lo glow, mix Chantecaille’s radiance gel bronzer ($57) with the Rose de Mai Oil for extra color on arms and legs or to cover any imperfections.
Use for a beautifully natural glow this summer.
La Mer’s Reparative Body Sunscreen
When you’ve gotten a little too much sun (and we’ve all been there), Ann suggests trying La Mer’s Body Sunscreen, $100, which has SPF 30 protection against UVA and UVB rays and is hydrating without being sticky or leaving a thick residue on your skin. “It also has the La Mer miracle broth in it,” adds Ann, “which helps with healing and restoring your skin.”
Use to soothe skin and fight off harmful rays or to gradually tan.
La Mer Face and Body Gradual Tan
La Mer Face and Body Gradual Tan, $100, is also on our spring wish list, because it helps you keep your tan longer and gradually tans. “It’s an everyday body lotion that gives your skin a beautiful glow,” explains Ann. “It’s easy, seamless and the color looks great on fair to medium skin tones.”
Sunscreen
As much as we love beauty products and pops of bright colors, we also know how important it is to use products that help protect our skin from sun damage. We really liked Elta MD Skincare’s affordable and oil-free options.
Elta MD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum
Elta MD’s UV Elements Broad-Spectrum, $33, has SPF 44 protection and is a tinted, moisturizing, physical sunscreen that’s a great option for people who have veins they want to cover or people who are just self conscience about not having makeup on. “Plus, it’s an adaptable tint, so it matches every skin color no matter what tone you are,” says Ann.
Sunscreen is one of the most important products you can use on your skin.
Elta MD UV Pure Face and Body Physical Sunscreen
For face and body coverage, consider Elta MD UV Pure Face and Body Physical Sunscreen, $24, which has SPF 47 and protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It has the protection that zinc typically offers, but, according to Ann, “It is a lot easier to move around than typical zinc products, so it’s been really popular. Being chemical-free, it’s safer for children, too.”
Use on face and body for sun protection.
Thank you Ann and Woo Skincare and Cosmetics for sharing the latest spring beauty products and trends with us. You can find all of these products and more at Woo Skincare and Cosmetics, located at 2900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28209. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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