Spring 2012 Beauty Products

Spring Fling: New Beauty

Must-Haves

Sheer Bliss

Giorgio Armani’s new Rouge d’Armani Sheers have the moisture and translucency of a balm, plus lipstick-like slip and stain-worthy pigment—in other words, the formula incorporates the best of all worlds! Our favorites are Black Lacquer (#602), Acid Tangerine (#300), and Ecstasy (#500), shown here. Look for these and the rest of the color range this April.

Exotic Getaway

Soothe your senses—and your skin!—with these new bath-time treats. The light scents of Ahava’s Lotus Flower & Chestnut Mineral Botanic Body Lotion and Target’s Apotheke:M Nourishing Mandarin Guava Body Cleanser carry you away while leaving limbs soft and smooth.

Seascape

Waves of blue washed over eyes at many of the spring 2012 shows. Try the look at home with M.A.C Chenman Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo in Love Cycle and Nars Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Dark Rite.

Smooth Operator

Sleek, no-volume strands dotted the spring runways and appeared effortlessly cool. Of course, in real-life, some effort is required! Get a grip on ghd’s limited-edition Peacock styler, available in green, blue, and purple.

Turn Back Time

Want to minimize fine lines and reveal a better complexion for spring? Incorporating antioxidants, retinol, and SPF into your skin care regimen is key. Cover all bases with AmorePacific Limited-Edition Green Tea Seed Treatment Oil, Murad Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles, and Fresh Soy Moisturizing Cream SPF 20.

Play It Straight

With warmer weather comes humidity—and frizz! Which is why, to maintain sleek locks, a leave-in product is essential. Ones to try: Sally Hershberger Salon Keratin Fix and L’Oréal EverStyle Alcohol-Free Smooth & Shine Serum.

Less Is More

Save the bronze for summer and go for a subtler golden glow with Tom Ford’s latest cheek color, Love Lust, and Sensai Designing Duo Bronze Powder.

Razzle Dazzle

Electrified shades of orange and coral are spring manicure go-tos—and so fun, you might just do jazz hands. Our favorite hues: Essie’s Orange, It’s Obvious! and NCLA’s I’m With the Band, launching online in April at shopncla.com.

Fresh Start

When the seasons change, so does your skin. Get ready for warmer weather (and a shinier complexion) by investing in a nourishing yet oil-free makeup base (see Stila Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, and Laura Mercier Oil-Free Suprême Foundation).

Mane Event

Can eco-friendly hair products from the drugstore leave locks silkier than a salon blowout? Yes! We were amazed at how smooth our strands were after using Aveeno Active Naturals’ sulfate-free Pure Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner.

Finishing Touches

A little shimmer goes a long way! For an especially luminous complexion, dip your finger into Chantecaille’s Coral Reefs Palette or Sisley Paris’ Palette Orchidée and apply to eyelids and cheekbones.

The Eyes Have It

What do puffiness and wrinkles have in common? They’re both deterrents to a come-hither stare. Wake up tired, puffy eyes with Philosophy’s Eyes Wide Open Instant Refreshing and Depuffing Eye Gel and reduce fine lines with Avon’s Anew Genics Eye Treatment.

Brighten Up

If you thought brighter skin was hard to come by, think again— Tatcha’s Radiant Deep Brightening Serum and Coola’s Fresh Relief Face Serum lessen the appearance of dark spots with natural yet powerful lighteners (Asian botanicals and licorice root extract).

Lash Out

Do your lashes a favor! Eyeko London Skinny Brush Mascara just launched at Sephora and besides lengthening and darkening lashes, it conditions them with vitamin B. Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Felt-Tip Eyeliner & Serum, a super-sized version of the brand’s original brush tipped booster, also has fringe benefits: it contains a peptide that supposedly stimulates lash growth.

Tinted Love

While most stains leave our lips parched, Maybelline’s SuperStay 10-Hour Stain Gloss gives lasting color and moisture. That said, we still don’t trust ourselves to do on-the-go touch-ups (the color is super pigmented!). Enter Yes to Carrots’ Rosy Bloom Color Balm, which provides a hint of pink with just the right amount of slip.

Smooth Moves

J.R. Watkins’ new Grapefruit Sugar and Shea Body Scrub is an exfoliator and moisturizer in one! As it buffs away dead skin cells, it leaves what remains soft and supple. For rough areas—elbows, knees, heels—try chemically exfoliating with Cane + Austin Retexturizing Body Pads, which are formulated with glycolic acid.