Spring means a lot of things. It means my hammock reappears in our backyard (this weekend this weekend!), that I start eating potato salad in truly amazing quantities, and that I am something other than “miserable” on the trip from bed to shower in the morning.
The truth is that I’m a little nervous about this particular spring because every notch that the thermostat ticks up means we’re that much closer to summer, which means we’re that much closer to Deadlines One and Two (both of which I’m so, so excited about, and also more than a little anxious about)…but mostly I’m just SUPER FREAKING HAPPY IT’S NOT COLD ANYMORE. Because that winter was straight-up terrible, and if you’re on the East Coast you know what I’m talking about.
Something else that Spring means: I get back into gold.
Gold jewelry is my staple all year round…but gold makeup? That’s a warm-weather-only thing for me. And I love it.
I’ve been wearing one variation or another on this gold-and-pink makeup look for years now (click here for my Summery Smoky Eye Tutorial, which is a slightly more dramatic version of the look pictured here), but over time it’s evolved into what you see in these photos: a barely-there wash of color that livens up your face without looking too “done”.
1. This look is all about being glowy, so start by exfoliating (try Simple Skincare Exfoliating Facial Wipes) and then applying a moisturizer with SPF (like Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15).
2. Skip the foundation, but cover up any blemishes with a creamy concealer.
3. Apply a light dusting of bronzer to the forehead and nose, and across the cheeks, then follow with a light application of bright-pink blush.
4. Apply a shimmery gold loose shadow to the entire lid and up onto the brow bone, then blend a taupe shadow into the crease to add depth. Line the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line with a black pencil, and skip the liner on the top lash line.
5. I’m wearing false lashes here to give the look a little more drama (and make it nighttime-ready; click here for an easy tutorial), but if you want to skip that step try applying two different mascaras: it’s incredibly effective at giving you a major lash effect.
6. On lips, apply a cherry stain and top with some pale gloss.
Products Used (Clockwise from far left):
Make Up For Ever Star Powder in Pink Bronze / NARS Single Eye Shadow in Ondine (all-time favorite everyday shade) / Simple Skincare Protecting Light Moisturizer / Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Blush in Pink Pop / Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lip Gloss in Precious Petal / Lola V False Eyelashes / TwistBand Hair Pins / Guerlain Kohl Eyeliner (similar) / Votre Vu On Rouge Lip and Cheek Stain in Ma Cherry
(Click here for a boho braid tutorial to get the look pictured above.)
