Break free from heavy winter skincare and dark makeup and embrace the lightness of spring. From hair volume enhancers to bold eye makeup tools, here are our favorite beauty buys this season:
Let’s start with the basics: foundation. Lay off the weighty winter stuff and introduce yourself to Marc Jacobs Marvelous Mousse, a velvety yet lightweight concoction filled with moisturizing ingredients like amino acids, ginseng, and coconut water. ($55, marcjacobsbeauty.com)
Sun damage is never in fashion. Protect — and hydrate — yourself with Alba’s Good & Healthy SPF 15 moisturizer, a mineral sun guard packed with nutrients and extracts from trendy veggies like kale, spinach and swiss chard. ($9.99, albabotanica.com)
Fancy restaurants and lounges have it all figured out: It’s all about the lighting. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush collection (16 new shades) mixes multidimensional, vivid colors with finishing powders for a flattering effect — no need to dim the lights. ($35, sephora.com)
Your face still in recovery mode from this year's harsh weather? Need a little boost? The Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment restores and replenishes moisture, with the help of citric acid, moisturizing sugars, and a strong blend of actives containing raw honey and ginger root for radiance and detoxification. It’s like a cocktail for the face. ($69, sephora.com)
Feed your skin with the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, tough enough to tackle impurities (including eye makeup), while gentle enough to deliver soft, glowing skin. The cleanser is made with strawberry oil, a natural exfoliator known for delivering the best version of you. ($32, indialee.com)
If your skin needs a little variety, Boscia’s Art of Multi-Tasking Kit tackles last season’s skin troubles with four essential masks: brightening (to diminish dark spots and hyperpigmentation), luminizing (to remove impurities), calming (to pair with that bottle of wine), and oil-controlling (to reduce inflammation). Bases? Covered. ($42, boscia.com).
If summer heat makes your hair roll over and play dead, invest in Yarok’s Feed Your Roots hair mousse, which transforms limp hair into the kind we covet (think Duchess Kate). Even better, this eco-conscious, all natural product is made with extracts of the good stuff: beet root, black currant, blueberry and rosemary. ($15.40, yarokhair.com)
Ditch the dark reds and Lorde-inspired lipsticks and opt for clean, minimal and fresh. The Naked Princess Lip Gloss Collection offers pretty shades of nudes for an effortlessly chic spring look. Wear alone, over a stain, or mix and match the hues. ($26, nakedprincess.com).
When it comes to tackling imperfections, you've got to be precise. Thankfully, Laura Mercier has released a 3-in-1 concealer to cover, de-puff and illuminate dark circles from last night's party. The beloved brand's newest concoction, available in 12 shades, is packed with honey, Vitamin E, and fruit acid to make you look like you magically snagged eight hours of sleep. ($28, lauramercier.com)
Replace your worn, dingy makeup bag with this snakeskin-inspired beauty case from Sonia Kashuk. Comes complete with various compartments and a hook to easily hang from a door — or to do something more villainous. ($29.99, Target.com)
Get playful and give boring black the boot. The Youngblood collection of Eye-Mazing Liquid Liner Pens lets you create sleek, bold eye looks with highly-pigmented colors such as cobalt blue, maroon and hunter green. ($26, ybskin.com)
If you depend on a finishing powder but can't stand the mess of loose powders, consider the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Pressed Powder, which features a translucent, lightweight formula in a sleek, easy compact. Get the flawless celebrity look — shine-free, matte and minimized pores — without the exploding mayhem of its competitors. ($36, makeupforever.com)
Freshen up with Meow Meow Tweet's beautifully-packaged face and body toning mists, made with essential oils and rose and lavender waters for a breezy (and addictive) light scent. ($22, meowmeowtweet.myshopify.com)