How to master spring skin with neutral finishes and flattering tones – The Irish Times

Welcome to skin season. In terms of beauty, that doesn’t necessarily mean showing more skin as we shuffle into spring with a raincoat still slung over one arm (just in case). You’re welcome to do that, of course, but as we all know, an Irish march can quickly take on a mutinous Baltic demeanor that skins calves and shoulders. No, for beauty enthusiasts, skin season is the time when everything changes. Deep eye shadows and moody lip colors retreat from your daily makeup bag, and neutral, light-reflecting finishes and flattering sheer skin tones burst out with the daffodils.

It’s not that we can’t wear deeper tones and heavier textures in spring. Of course we can, but as the days get longer and the sun reminds us that it’s actually still up there somewhere, there will be more light for the products you wear to reflect. Skin finishes seem to naturally become shinier and foundations look lighter. Spring makeup is generally both simpler and more forgiving than its heavier, less understated winter sibling. Color is always beautiful, but this time of year makeup is all about the skin, no matter what look you go for. Everything else plays a supporting role.

See SkinNova is a radiant primer and now also available in an extra large size (82 € at vieve.de). It is ideal as a standalone product or mixed with thicker foundations to make them more transparent and reflective, or simply under foundation. The larger size also looks good on shoulders, shins and collarbones if you want to extend light reflection beyond the face.

Sun-on-skin mimicry is an essential part of spring and summer makeup. Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Tanning Cream is the OG Bronzer for a reason. For deeper skin tones try Deep Bronze (€52 at Brown Thomas). Its modeling and tanning properties are the stuff of beauty legends. It can even be used on the eyes and cheeks for a one-product face.

Celebrity makeup queen Charlotte Tilbury recently revived the powder highlighter, which had fallen out of favor in recent years as sophisticated cream and liquid options rendered powder textures archaic and chalky. Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Glow Glide Architect Highlighter in Pillow Talk Glow (€44 at charlottetilbury.com) is a powder but feels like a liquid on the skin. Moonlight Glow — suitable for even the palest skin — is my shade, but try the pink Pillow Talk Glow for a subtle polished finish that looks just as good layered over blush as it does on the highlights of the face.

Finally, if you’re looking for the perfect product to add a supporting role to great skin, then the new Eye Launch from Victoria Beckham beauty is particularly dreamy. As in fashion, the brand is known for both effortless neutrals and really bold pops of color. Eyewear in Macaron (€32 at victoriabeckhambeauty.com) is a candy purple pink matte eyeliner that glides on, blends effortlessly and makes a statement. It looks particularly spectacular on lighter and darker skin, but can also be worn as a statement liner. Paired with glowing skin and a pink blush, it’s like spring in a stick.