Spring 2012 Beauty Trends

Spring in New Orleans is my favorite. I love going to the fly, laying out on the quad, and going to the various festivals. As much as I love it though, I could do without the humidity (or at least my hair and makeup can). If you’re thinking the same thing, don’t worry, because spring makeup is all about your natural beauty and looking fresh. Add low key hairstyles and fun nail polish colors and you’re well on your way to looking fab this spring. Don’t glob on all that foundation (it will melt off anyway) and put away those fall colors. Here are some beauty trends that will keep you looking fresh and fierce this spring.

Pastel Nails
I LOVE nail polish. I am addicted. I own a lot because I hate not having my nails done and I can’t afford to get a manicure every time the color chips. As mentioned in previous articles, I am obsessed with coordinating nail colors with seasons. For example, I am not going to run around wearing OPI’s  ‘You Don’t Know Jacques!’ right now (as much as I love it) because I am not a proponent of grays and browns in the spring. To me, spring is all about color – both bright and pastel. I am very girly, so I love variations of pink, but recently I have ventured into other colors. Right now, I am sporting ‘Mint Candy Apple’ by Essie. This spring, get out of your comfort zone. Pastel yellows, blues, greens, purples, and pinks are all the rage and they look super cute!

Bold Lips
I love this trend. I think it is both trendy and classic. It is en vogue right now, but it also will never go out of style. Red lips, when done right, are powerful, feminine, and classy. Bold colors can be reds, oranges, pinks, or deep purples. For the spring, ignore the latter, and instead focus on bright colors. If you’re going to take on this trend, downplay your eyes so that your lips pop. You’re the epitome of a strong, polished woman. Go girl!

Loose Waves
You know those girls at the beach who have perfect beach waves and you just don’t understand why your hair is a rat’s nest? Well, now you can have that – those “it looks like I did nothing to my hair but I totally did” loose waves. It’s the perfect girl-next-door look, and it actually doesn’t take as much time to do as you may think (as I said before, this spring is all about ‘less is more’ and looking ‘naturally chic’). To obtain this look without a curling iron (http://blog.dermstore.com/index.php/spring-2012-hair-trends/):

• Evenly distribute mousse onto damp hair
• Section off about 2 inches of hair throughout your head (the bigger the section, the bigger the waves) and twist each section until it coils tightly into a sort of bun
• Pin them in place using bobby pins and then blow dry throughout
• Remove the pins and shake out the waves
• Finish off with hair spray (but not too much!) to set your style without the sticky residue or crunchy feel

Metallic Shades
Gold and silver metallic makeup was all the rage on the runway, for both eyes and cheeks.  Metallic shades are a great way to draw attention to your best facial features without the use of a strong color. You can be bold and go all out with this trend, or if you’re not feeling as adventurous, try highlighting your eyes with metallic eyeliner or switching out your every day eye shadow for gold or silver.
 

 Sun-Kissed Cheeks
The key to sun-kissed cheeks is to look like you’ve been outside and a gotten a little color on your cheeks. Instead of pink, choose coral or brown shades to better achieve this affect. To achieve a tan look with a little sparkle, skip the blush and use bronzer instead. Apply it to your T zone area (forehead, nose and chin).