With the winter behind us and the spring sun shining in our faces, it’s time to update our makeup bags. Switch your doomsday-coloured eye shadows for glowing skin and immaculate red-varnished nails. Does it feel a bit daunting (not to mention expensive...) to invest in all-new products? Psst! With a few tips from the pros, you can keep your favourites and make smart investments in products to keep you company this spring and into the following summer and autumn. Very practical!
Start by emptying your makeup bag and laying everything out in front of you. What do you use every day? And what products are just taking up space? For the ultimate seasonal makeup bag, start with these basic must-haves:
- Hydrating skin cream;
- Softening all-purpose balm that takes care of dry skin, lips and cuticles;
- Illuminating, lightweight foundation;
- Concealer to brighten under the eyes and cover blemishes;
- Bronzing powder.
Inspect your mascara and lip products. Do they smell off, or is their texture a little claggy? If so, it’s out with the old and in with the new. Mascara keeps for about 3 to 6 months, after which it may cause allergic reactions. Every time you open the tube, oxygen gets in and dries out the product (so avoid pumping the wand up and down). Lip products stay fresh for about 6 months. After that, the colour changes and bacteria collect in the tube. Hint – going into the warmer months, a glossy pink mouth paired with max-volume lashes will be a sure hit!
You might have a perfume that’s divine in the winter months, with heavier and sweeter notes. Give it the summer off and bring in a lighter version redolent of summer flowers – and you will have begun collating your ‘fragrance wardrobe’. Perfumes keep for several years as long as you store them in a cool, dark place.
Finally, it’s time to put your hands front and centre with a manicure. Sure, we love those dark shades, but now you need a bright red and a light pink in your palette for nails that work on any occasion. File nails in a rounded shape and treat your cuticles to a softening balm for chic, beautiful hands.
Words by: Emma Nybom Johansson