Beauty trends to help you look good and feel good this spring season

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Baby, it may be cold outside, but with spring just around the corner, warm thoughts of hot new beauty looks are trending everywhere right now.

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Spring is definitely in the air, especially as we’re only a few weeks away from the official March 20 date, so everyone’s looking for a break from that bleak, wintery look of chapped lips, pale skin and shadows under the eyes.

We’re all clamouring to look fresh and fabulous, with a glowy dew and bright eyes.

What’s hot this coming spring?

It’s “not about perfection anymore – it’s about presence,” notes Fashionmagazine.com on their website. “Makeup becomes a form of self-expression again, with finishes that range from (a) barely-there glow to shades that are soft but impactful, applied like brushstrokes rather than statements, proving that drama doesn’t have to shout.”

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Style-wise, the site goes on to say we’ll be seeing more slicked-back hair as the new wearable power suit, along with a just-showered sheen that shouts “precision and restraint.”

Restrained beauty will be in this spring

Speaking of, there’s going to be a restrained beauty look this spring season, impacting on eyes to nails to lips, where the gloss will be more buffed than bodacious.

At a recent, exclusive Shoppers Beauty+ Event (#ShoppersBeautyPlusEvent @shoppersbeauty) held at the Liberty Grand, the giants of the glam industry came together to showcase the more than 2,800 beauty products ready to make everyone look and feel fabulous for the upcoming spring.

Names brands included Kylie Cosmetics, Jason Wu and Quo Beauty, not to mention ultra-lux fragrances launching this spring including scents from Tom Ford, Versace Atelier, Maison Marginal, Balmain and Bruno Cucinelli, to name just a few.

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This season, report company officials, is one focusing on “the overall look, starting with skincare and complexion. We’re seeing a strong emphasis on healthy, radiant skin as the base of any beauty routine. Foundation is a major trend this spring and summer, designed to deliver lighter textures and added skincare benefits.”

And lip oils were everywhere.

Jennifer Martin, senior director for Quo Beauty says this spring is one of pastel tones with pink the hue to look out for.

“The trend is one of a natural, yet full-on glam,” Martin said.

Radiance was the hot buzzword during the event, with Clarins (clarins.ca) officials noting that healthy glows will be the result of anti-aging foundations, giving one a flawless finish.

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Lashes will be whimsical with a few lashes added at the end of the eye lid, as opposed to bold bat-like wings, giving the user a truly lovely, natural look.

Skin care under the microscope

Skin care is going under the microscope, with many companies focusing on products made with wholly natural ingredients. Of note was the Teaology skin care line (teaologyskincare.ca), that uses organic tea in its products – the healthy nutrients of a full cup of tea in each of the products.

Teaology’s success can be found in husband-and-wife team Cecilia (already seeing the potential in tea’s healthy role in beauty products) and Paolo Garofano of Italy. It was during a visit to Canada that Cecilia determined tea’s role in skin care products during various visits to tea houses as well as observing tea ceremonies. The couple then worked with a team of chemists to create this unique skincare line.

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Does looking good truly make one feel better?

“Looking good and feeling good are closely connected, as beauty supports confidence and self-expression,” notes Shoppers Drug Mart’s Leith Sinker, vice-president in category management, prestige beauty division. “Time for self-care can have a meaningful impact on overall well-being.”

Look good and feeling good connected

The power of looking good and feeling good are certainly connected, note many mental health experts. Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com/ca) suggests that “looking good can indeed make you feel better by’ “boosting confidence, lowering stress through self-care routines, and increasing self-esteem, especially as one ages.”

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“Engaging in beauty rituals is viewed as a form of self-care that provides a sense of control, while appreciating beauty – whether in oneself or surroundings – releases feel-good chemicals similar to exercise,” Dena Kouremetis writes on the site.

“It’s not about vanity, it’s about self-assurance, mental well-being and achieving goals,” Elyse Poulin writes in Brainandbodyco.ca. “When you look good, you tend to feel more confident. Confidence is like a magnet; it attracts opportunities, positive interactions, and success.”

Sounds good, but given how expensive life has become, how important is it for consumers to invest in the beauty industry, even if the products do contribute to good mental health for both men and women.

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It all comes down to prioritizing and budgeting.

“Looking good and feeling good are closely connected, as beauty supports confidence and self-expression,” Sinker said. “Taking time for self-care can have a meaningful impact on overall well-being.”

Sinker notes that “as the ‘cost of living’ increases, Canadians are becoming more intentional with their spending. However, beauty remains an important part of self-care, self-expression and confidence at every life stage.”

Beauty is more than just skin deep, Sinker added.

“It’s about the small daily rituals, whether it’s skincare, grooming or trying something new, can provide moments of confidence and creativity that positively support overall well-being … beauty should be accessible,” Sinker said. “It’s about offering choices that empower people to feel their best.”

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