Spring Beauty Refresh :: Splurges and Steals

It’s about this time every year that I start getting the itch for all things spring, including freshening up my skin and beauty routine.  Whether you are a product junkie like me or a back-to-basics kinda gal, there are some great spring beauty products – both old and new –  that will help put the spring back in your step.  I tried to offer splurge and steal options where I could, so no matter what your beauty budget is, you will feel pampered, prepped, and refreshed for spring.

Spring Beauty Products

SKINCARE

1} Exfoliate :: One of the best things you can do to refresh your skin for spring is to exfoliate. I love Rodan + Fields Microdermabrasion Paste to scrub off all of the dead skin cells from winter.  A great steal for this item that I’ve used for years is the St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub which can be found at any drugstore or Target for less than $5!

2} Cleanse :: If you are looking for a new cleanser and want to splurge, checkout the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser.  It makes your skin look like you just had a facial just by washing it!  My favorite steals that I use daily are the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser.  I love both, so I keep one at my sink and one in my shower!

3} Pamper :: Get your skin out of its dull winter state with a few fun tricks.  For a splurge you can purchase a Clarisonic Mia to up your skincare game. Plan ahead, and look for these to go on sale during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale every July. A little tip, in case you miss the sale, is to use your Ulta 20% coupon that comes out a few times a year to buy this.  It’s one of the only times a coupon will cover Clarisonic.  For a steal, try a soothing, moisturizing mask.  I have enjoyed these Sephora Masks, and you can try the sampler package to find your favorite.

LIPS

1} Gloss ::  Playing with lip color is the easiest way to brighten your look for spring.  Swap your winter reds and dark plums for bright corals and pinks.  Not much of a gloss fan myself, I’ve actually been obsessed with the Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss {I love Beso and Streak!}.  These are similar to NYX Butter Gloss that are under $5 and come in a ton of colors.  Tip: Butter Gloss color Peaches ‘n Cream is a great dupe for Urban Decay’s Streak.

2} Balm :: To really pamper your lips in the evening after doing a good scrub, I love putting on the C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm {and it’s also great on cuticles}.  At $5.50, these aren’t much of a splurge, but you can do even better and find a more readily available lip refresh in Vaseline’s new Lip Therapy Rosy Lips Tin at just $3.49.

EYES

1} Shadow :: One thing that the majority of the Houston Moms Blog contributors can agree on is our love of the Urban Decay Naked Eye Palettes.  Although a bit pricey ranging from $29-$54 per palette, they do last and provide a ton of great looks for both night and day all in one product.  Gwen Stefani recently launched a new palette to try, but my favorite for the office and everyday “mom” look is the Naked Basics paletteMaybelline offers a great dupe for each Nars Palette that are only $10, but my favorite is the NYX Love in Paris Palettes.

2} Lashes :: A hot trend right now is eyelash extensions.  This would be the ultimate way to refresh your look for spring; however, I urge you to make sure you are going to a quality salon in Houston for lash extensions.  I’ve heard horror stories of lash fallout and breakage.  The good ones will run you $350+ for a full set.  If this isn’t in your budget or time {like me on both accounts}, just run and grab a new mascara, curler, and false lashes from the drugstore.  My favorite eyelash curler is the Laura Mercier eyelash curler.  It’s great for travel and feels safer than a traditional curler.  *Let’s pause here for a moment of silence as I relive that time in 2006 when I accidentally ripped ALL of my lashes out while curling them…on my birthday.* And moving on…a great drugstore mascara to try is the Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara.  If you’d rather splurge, try either the Lancome Hypnose Mascara or Dior Diorshow Mascara – both are favorites among our contributors.

BROWS

Full brows are all the rage right now.  If you aren’t ready for microblading just yet {I had to google it too!}, there are TONS of products on the market to give yourself a full, defined brow no matter what you are starting with. My favorite products to use are the fine brow pencils with a spooly at the end.  They are great for a quick brow that you just can’t mess up.  My favorite splurge is the Anastasia Brow Wiz, and the NYX Micro Brow Pencil is a favorite steal. These are nearly identical products that will get the job done!

FACE

1} Blush :: Lighten up your look for spring with a new blush! Nars Orgasm is a cult favorite because this peachy/pink blush looks good on almost every skin tone and is build-able, so you can create a look for both day or night.  An almost exact drugstore dupe is the Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso.

2} Bronzer :: You glow girl!  Add a little bronzer to your makeup routine for a warm spring glow.  My favorite bronzer is Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer because it is a matte bronzer – this aging mama has outgrown all the shimmery versions.  If you are already a fan of Hoola, checkout the liquid version, Dew the Hoola, that just debuted.  If you want to try Hoola but don’t want to invest $29, they offer a travel size for half the price.  My full-size has lasted me over a year, so I’d say it was a good investment!

*If you are a fan of Benefit Cosmetics or want to learn more about their products, mark your calendars for April 1 when Ulta at Town Center in Sugar Land is having a special Benefit day to offer specials and have experts on hand to help you!  If you aren’t near the Sugar Land area, be sure and check with your local store about a similar event. 

BODY

Let’s leave our worries of getting bikini ready in time for summer for another day and just focus on prepping for the spring.  Grab yourself a sunless tanner, get a fresh pedicure, and find a new signature scent to get your body spring ready!

Scent :: In the winter I love wearing more spicy and warm scents like Burberry Brit, but come springtime, I reach for lighter, floral scents.  Tory Burch just launched a new floral-based perfume line that is perfect for spring.  There are 3 different scents to try!  If you want a new scent but don’t want to break the budget, purchase the rollerball version.  Not only is this friendlier on your wallet, but it’s great for travel and being on the go and takes up less space in your bathroom!  For an even better steal, visit your nearest Bath & Body Works for a new seasonal body wash or spray.  I always love their coconut scents that start hitting stores this time of year.

HAIR

Spring is also a great time to freshen up your locks.  If it’s been months since your last visit to the salon, the best hair refresh is a good trim or color.  Otherwise, give your mane a little boost with a hair mask like the Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask.

SPRING CLEANING

Finally, this is a great time to clean out your beauty drawer.  Throw away items that are expired or you don’t use, and swap all of your fall and winter faves for spring and summer.  While doing this, go ahead and freshen up your makeup brushes too.  I use the Japonesque Makeup Brush Cleanser to clean all of my brushes.  If you are like me and don’t do this as often as you should, seize the day now and spring clean your brushes! Your skin will thank you.

Spring Refresh Splurge/Steal Product Recap

Rodan + Fields Microdermabrasion Paste / St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub
Fresh Face Soy Cleanser /CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser or Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser
Clarisonic Mia / Sephora Face Masks
Urban Decay Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss / NYX Butter Gloss
C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve Lip Balm / Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips Tin
Urban Decay Naked Palettes / Maybelline Palettes or NYX Palette
Eyelash Extensions / Eyelash Curler
Lancome Hypnose Mascara or Dior DiorShow Mascara / Maybelline Falsies Mascara
Anastasia Brow Wiz / NYX Micro Brow
Nars Blush in Orgasm / Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer & Dew The Hoola Liquid Bronzer / Travel Size Hoola
Tory Burch Fleur Perfumes – 3 Scents!
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Japonesque Makeup Brush Cleanser

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Chelsea P
Chelsea is a native Houstonian now residing in Sugar Land. She is married to Jason who she met at the Houston Rodeo of all places! Together they have two boys, Jack {May 2013} and Colin {October 2015} along with their puppy brother, a Chihuahua named Tucker. Chelsea spends Monday through Friday working full-time in the healthcare industry in marketing and business development in order to keep up with her online shopping and Starbucks addiction. She can win any pop-culture game you throw her way, enjoys long strolls through Target and Sephora, and believes that anything can and should be monogrammed. You can follow Chelsea’s daily adventures over at The Perfect Catch Blog or on Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest as @ChelseaPurifoy.

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