The combination of blues and bronzes in this makeup palette feels so modern and perfect for spring. There are eight saturated colors and two pretty neutrals -- and the neutrals are twice the size of the brights, which is exactly how much I'll need. It's limited edition, and it's exclusive to Ulta. Get it while you can.
Between my fair coloring and my obsession with skin care, I consider myself something of a sunscreen connoisseur -- and this is the SPF I'm going to be wearing all summer. With 11-percent zinc oxide and 6.2-percent titanium dioxide this sunscreen is all mineral. And I prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical versions because minerals reflect UV rays whereas chemicals absorb them and produce free-radicals (always wear an antioxidant serum under a chemical SPF). Plus, it's natural and has cucumbers, green tea, and aloe to soothe the skin while it protects. What's not to love?
The one hair tool I can't live without is a curling iron. Take away my blowdryer and I'll make do with air-drying. Take away my curling iron and my hair is a frizzy mess.
A clip-less wand is my iron of choice, and this one from Sultra is my new favorite. The barrel is jumbo so instead of curls it creates loose waves -- more like a great blowout than a beachy style. I recently had my hair chopped to collarbone length, and this tool still works for me. Don't let its size intimidate you.
Photo 10/11
Aveda Light the Way Candle, $12
If there's one beauty brand that should have dominion over Earth Month, it's Aveda -- they straddle the line between natural and glamorous so well, don't you think? I'm sold on their Light the Way candle, which is made from recycled glass and smells like vanilla, cinnamon, and ylang-ylang. Every single penny from the purchase price goes to the Global Greengrants Fund, a non-profit that awards grants to small environmental groups. Spend $12, get a great candle, and save the planet. Done.
Don't put your credit card away just yet! This spring makeup will inspire you to keep shopping.
Spring collections -- both beauty and fashion -- launch too early. Coral lipstick and raffia sandals do not interest me in January when I'm still bundling up in my full-length puffy coat. It's a tease. If I bought them three months ago they'd be covered in dust.
April, however, is the perfect time to shop for new products. Why? Two words: spring cleaning. Once you toss the gunky moisturizer and crusty hand cream you've been using all winter, you'll have so much room in your vanity and medicine cabinet. And all that space is just begging to be filled with the best beauty products launching this month. Plus, it's finally starting to warm up outside. You might actually use a new self-tanner or mineral sunscreen rather than hoping you'll use them.
There are so many fantastic new beauty products hitting shelves right now I had a hard time narrowing down my list. You can't go wrong with any one -- or all -- of the nine featured here. Pick them up now, and you'll be using -- and loving -- them all season.
