RUBY REVEALS | HOW TO NAIL SPRING PASTELS

Blue skies have been making an appearance, and the sun is starting peak out.. which can only mean one thing, spring is here! People talk about having a ‘spring clean’ of their home, but often our beauty routine could do with spring clean too. As the weather warms up, we can swap the heavy formulas we’ve been using all winter for lightweight, luminous products that enhance our natural beauty.  Think light-coverage foundations, cream blushes, featherlight mascara, and most importantly, a chance to play with soft pastel shades.

SKINCARE

In order to have the confidence to strip back the layers during spring, we want to feel good about our skin. I’ve said it many times, but a radiant complexion must start with the correct skincare. You can read my detailed masterclass on simplifying skincare HERE, but the essentials are:

Exfoliate > Cleanse > Hydrate > Protect 

SKIN THAT LOOKS LIKE SKIN 

Spring calls for breathable, skin-like coverage. Swap out heavy matte foundations for skin tints, serum foundations, or tinted moisturiser. If it’s a good skin day, there’s no need to apply a layer of foundation all over your face. Use a small brush/fingers to apply the product only where it’s needed, and blend out using a damp Beauty Blender to remove excess product. Armani Luminous Silk has a gorgeous, lightweight formula that provides buildable coverage.

Some days there may not even be a need for foundation. You can strategically camouflage any spots, or pesky areas of pigmentation, by applying concealer with a fine point brush, and pressing it into the skin for a seamless blend. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer is one of my go-tos.

A FRESH FLUSH 

A pastel blush adds a fresh, youthful glow to your face. For me, spring is the time for liquid/cream formulations over powders - it leaves you with hydrated, dewy looking skin that’s perfect for the time of year. Sweep your blush onto the apples of your cheeks, gradually building intensity dependent on whether you want a subtle wash of colour or a bolder statement. My Cheek Colour in pink offers a sheer, blendable formula that complements all skin tones, and and applied lightly, will leave you with the perfect light-pink flush.

SUBTLE EYES 

When you hear ‘pastel eyeshadow’, 60s matte blue may spring to mind, but with shifts in formulations you can have the softest shades of pale pinks, baby blues, lavenders, lilacs, peach - whatever takes your fancy!

If you want a look that’s playful, yet subtle, start by applying a sheer wash of colour across the eyelids. Prep your lids with a good primer, and apply a neutral shade as a base. Gently blend the pastel shade over your eyelid using your finger or a small smudging brush, building up the product gradually for a more bold and vibrant finish. Finish off with a featherlight sweep of mascara for extra definition. 

Ruby’s top-tips for a bolder eye look:

• Apply a bright pastel shade to the inner corners of your eye to create a brightening effect.
• Pair two different shades for a block-colour finish, or add a contrasting eyeliner to make a statement.
• For added definition, take a thin brush and apply a deeper shade of eyeshadow from the same colour group to create an 'eyeshadow eyeliner'.

LIPS IN BLOOM 

Not all pastels enhance every skin tone, so choose a shade that enhances your natural undertones:

• Cool – Soft baby pinks, cool-toned lilac, or nude peach.
• Neutral – Warm corals, muted rose, or pastel apricot.
• Warm – Rich lavender, soft tangerine, or pastel mauve (with a deeper lip liner for contrast).

As pastel shades are usually quite light, they can often make the lips look a little flatter. Choose a lip liner one shade darker than your pastel lipstick to add dimension, and then blend softly to avoid harsh lines.