http://shine.yahoo.com/birchbox-co-founder-katia-beauchamp-spring-2012-beauty-155800279.html
for the linkaphobic:
Warmer temperatures and milder weather are right around the corner, so make sure you're well-stocked on some of the season's hottest beauty trends. Since this is the year for a 1980s flashback, we're seeing neons and brights popping up in the fashion department as well as at the beauty counter. I talked to Katia Beauchamp, Co-Founder of
Birchbox, to find out her beauty picks for spring and also get some tips on lightening up our makeup bags for the season.
Here's the scoop:
Hot Beauty Trends for 2012
When it comes to hair,
the messy, tousled look is your best bet for day or night. Katia says that you need to use a good texturing spray to make it look "effortless." Use a dry shampoo and a texturing spray to create that slightly-messy coif and you'll be good to go. She says an easy way to achieve this look is to, "let your hair dry in a bun to create a more natural wave. You can also use hot rollers to create more texture." Her product pick to achieve this fuss-free look:
Oribe Texturing Spray (also comes in a travel size).
Another trend to play with this season is the
cat eye - with a twist. This is the season for the "1950s cat eye re-imagined," says Katia. She recommends doing the cat eye with a pop of color, not just with a plain black pencil. Play with neons and brighter hues to play up the eye area and show off your flirty side.
If neons for the eyes aren't your thing, brighten up with your look with
neon-colored nail polish. Katia says the Birchbox team is crazy about neon nail polish this spring - you might even find it in your own Birchbox shipment this season. "I love the neon polishes. It's just so fun to see that teal and other bright colors when you're sitting at the computer. It's like wearing statement jewelry." If you're not too keen on sporting neon colors at the office -- or want a more demure look -- she recommends trying something like a "purple neon that won't be as crazy."
This spring, Katia says, "We're obsessed with brows!
Bold brows filled in to frame your face," are the way to go. You'll want to maintain your natural arch and just use a brow powder and gel to create that bolder, just-off-the-runway look. The keyword here is: Definiton. Her product pick for this trend is
Anastasia Brow Gel. You can also pick up a complete kit that includes a brow powder and other brow-shaping essentials.
Other Tips for Lightening Up Your Makeup Bag for Spring
It's almost time to ditch the heavy foundation for a few months but you don't have to stick with mineral makeup to lighten up your look. Katia says, "We love tinted moisturizer. It gives just enough coverage." You can also get away with a good beauty cream that contains luminous ingredients.
Trading multiple products for all-in-one beauty goodies is also a great way to lighten up for spring. "When I'm in a rush, I love multi-purpose products", says Katia. Her top picks for the season include bright, cream blushes, and highlighters like
Benefit's Watt's Up, a "soft focus" highlighter you can use to accentuate your cheeks, brow bone, and even down your nose to create a natural, dewy look. She says this is also one of her favorite products for the season and perfect for any busy mom or working professional on the go.
