This spring it’s all about color: Adding a pop here or there brightens up your whole look and not only makes you look better but feel better too. That’s why at SELF we say treat yourself. We believe beauty shouldn't be a burden and that beauty products are like toys for big girls. This is a roundup of playful stuff that delivers good-looking, goof-proof results, quickly and easily.
1. Maybelline New York Dream Bouncy Blush, $8, comes in five colors
First up, from Maybelline New York, is Dream Bouncy Blush, a powder gel formula that gives you the best of both worlds. It feels light like a powder but blends like a cream and comes in 10 bright and buildable sheer shades.
2. Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Illuminated Bronzing Veil Hearts, $14
Next are these adorable loose bronze and gold powder hearts from Physicians Formula that look just like candy. They are infused with Euphoryl, a natural plant extract shown to mimic the effects of endorphins and protect your skin from environmental stress, so these hearts make you feel and look happy!
3. Glide Benefit Fine-One-One, $30
Then we have this cool magic marker-like pen that you can use to add an instant pop of color on cheeks or lips. The three shades blend like magic for a perfect coral-pink flush, and you don’t even need a mirror to apply them.
4. Julep Hand and Cuticle Stick, $22
This looks like a glue stick, but it’s a clever nail and cuticle treatment that you can stash on your desk for quick manicure fixes. Made with shea butter and almond oil, it moisturizes and protects your skin without being greasy. Just rub it on your ragged fingers to maintain a perfect manicure.
5. Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens, $8
Another fun nail tool is the nail art pen from Sally Hansen. You can draw with them on your tips for a nail-art effect, giving you a graphic look that's really in for spring. Even some simple lines will add unique style to a standard manicure.
6. Nordstrom Hair Chalk, $15
And speaking of drawing, these hair chalks from Nordstrom may look like they're meant for the sidewalk, but they are designed to add color streaks to your hair. It's a great way to experiment — just wet the chalk, rub it on and set with hairspray. It’ll wash out when you're ready to try something else.
7. Lush Fun Moldable Soap, $7, comes in five colors
Finally, from Lush cosmetics Fun (that’s the real name), we have moldable soap that's the MacGyver of beauty loot: it’s a cleanser, shampoo, bubble bath and Play-Doh-esque toy all in one. Plus, two-and-a-half percent of sales from every bar of FUN is contributed to the FUNd, a LUSH initiative in support of charities in Fukushima, Japan, that create safe places for children to play outside.