Lighten and Brighten

Make room in your makeup kit for fresh new spring shades

Spring 2008 cosmetic collections have upped the wattage in terms of color.
The bold red fall lip has been transformed into a vivid fuchsia, electric coral and stained berry matte pout. Eyes are a bit softer, with powdery blue, green and gold shadows. Nail color is on the whimsical side with neon corals and Blue Satin from Chanel.

Makeup is still very polished this spring, but as a rule you should lighten up your application of all products. Start with foundation: If you use a heavy, full-coverage formula, try a tinted moisturizer with a dusting of loose powder to set the look.

A lighter, smoky eye can be achieved with gray, blue or purple shadow instead of black liner. Lips are an easy change: If you wore velvet red last fall, try a bright berry for spring.


Subtle Spring: Spring colors in cosmetics are a softer version of last fall’s polished face. Soft pink and gold are two of the newest hues in eye shadow and lip color. Benefit Spring Color Palette $30, Benefit Throb powder blush $28, Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturizer $28, SephoraSubtle Spring: Spring colors in cosmetics are a softer version of last fall’s polished face. Soft pink and gold are two of the newest hues in eye shadow and lip color. Benefit Spring Color Palette $30, Benefit Throb powder blush $28, Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturizer $28, Sephora

Pretty in Pink: One of spring’s prettiest faces includes a matte soft pink lip and shimmery gold eye with warm chocolate liner. Peter Som white bow-trimmed blouse $627, Feng; Marc Jacobs red aviator sunglasses $260, Standard Style BoutiquePretty in Pink: One of spring’s prettiest faces includes a matte soft pink lip and shimmery gold eye with warm chocolate liner. Peter Som white bow-trimmed blouse $627, Feng; Marc Jacobs red aviator sunglasses $260, Standard Style Boutique

Lively Lips: Fall’s matte ruby red lip has been softened to a bold berry hue. The bright lip looks best with a nude eye and just a touch of liner and mascara. Phillip Lim taupe mini-dress $335, Standard Style Boutique; Jill Alberts diamond lace earrings $1,238, FengLively Lips: Fall’s matte ruby red lip has been softened to a bold berry hue. The bright lip looks best with a nude eye and just a touch of liner and mascara. Phillip Lim taupe mini-dress $335, Standard Style Boutique; Jill Alberts diamond lace earrings $1,238, Feng

How long can I keep it?
With spring comes the opportunity to freshen up your stockpile of cosmetics. Ashley Maurin, owner of Lover Cosmetics in Kansas City, offers these tips for makeup shelf life. These are general guidelines. If your makeup has been exposed to extreme heat, cold or sunlight, it will lose its freshness sooner. If in doubt, toss it out.
Liquid foundation – toss after 1 year
Lipstick – toss after 2 years
Concealer – toss after 1 year
Mascara – toss after 3 months
Eyeliner – toss after 12 months
Cream blush – toss after 1 year
Powder eye shadow – toss after 2 years