Spring 2013: Beauty Must Haves

Illustration by Rose Sturdy

Sun-kissed bliss is almost upon us. It's time to whip out the sunglasses (any excuse to prance around channeling the aura of V-Becks!) and get ready for Spring 2013. Here are my top products for the up-coming warmer months...  

The Blush: Benefit Dandelion Brightening Face Powder, £23.50

A super pretty pink with a gorgeous light shimmer. This cute blush is all the fresh, floral loveliness of spring in a nice little box. Sweep over the cheek bones for a radiant girlie-pink hue. And it's absolutely beautiful for those with fair skin.

The Bronzer: Clarins Bronzing Duo SPF15, £28

I love this bronzing palette, and as the weather warms up it's always nice to add subtle glow to a sun-deprived visage. The two tones are fantastic for building the illusion of cheekbones, as you can use the darker shade to emphasize the hollows of your cheeks. The mineral powder smells lush, and contains SPF15 for extra skin protection. Glorious! 

The Highlighter: Barry M Dazzle Dust in Gold Iridescent, £4.59

I use the tiniest amount of this shimmer-packed powder on the brow and cheek bones for a light catching finish. Really pretty and illuminating, and quite a bargain too!  

The Nails: Rococo Nail Apparel in Jaded Creme, £12

The minty cream shade looks amazing with a tan, and is so on trend this season. It's an eye-catcher too, with a light shimmer that reminds me of mother of pearl. Rococo is quite thin in consistency but it dries quick, two or three coats does the job nicely. Prepare for glances of admiration when you pop this little number on your talons.  

The Lips: Go Mulberry! Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sugar Plum, £7.99

The mulberry lip trend is STILL going strong, and this brand new shade of lip butter by Revlon is bang on. They're really hydrating and soft too, perfect for a glossy pout.

The Face: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser SPF20, £33

Too. much. love. for. this. 

Seriously, it is really really good. If you don't feel like going all out with heavy foundation, a few dabs of this tinted moisturiser (with SPF20, bonus!) leaves the skin visibly lifted and bright. The illuminating version is great for spring/summer, you can look like a dewy, glowing goddess in an instant. It smells gorgeous, feels soft on the skin and adds a great boost of healthiness to any complexion. 

The Hair: Pixie Waves with Mark Hill Wicked Waver, £59.99 

I love a sexy wave in the warmer months, and I've been using this funky waver by Mark Hill to achieve a messy beach style. The waver is unique as it has random bumps, so each wave looks different and more natural. Spritz with Catwalk by TIGI Salt Spray for an extra beach-beautiful finish.

The Eyes: Clinique Cream Liner in Smoke Grey, £15.00

I've already harped on about how much I like these cream liners, but for those who missed it, I think the range by Clinique is ruddy brill. They glide on lovely, don't smudge once dry and last all day long. The smoke grey shade is a softer way of framing eyes, really nice for when you're wearing less make-up on a warm day.

What are your spring/summer beauty essentials? Let me know by commenting below or tweeting @poutoutproud! Also, I'd like to introduce Rosemary Sturdy to you all, who has created the fabulous illustration at the top of this blog. If you like her work then please check out her website.

You might also be interested in:

• Mother's Day: The Gift Guide
• Gel Eyeliners: Cross the Line with the hottest new trend
• Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Sugar Frost, see the pics

Get all the best beauty news! Follow @poutoutproud on Twitter and Like Pout Out Proud on Facebook

Add Some Oomph! Keep The Volume Turned Up In 2013

Big, super-voluminous hair was the hottest trend in 2012, and it's not going anywhere in 2013. For those glam nights out you've gotta go big or go home...

Here are my top product picks (and styling tips) for cranking up the sexy volume:

1. Catwalk by TIGI Volume Collection Your Highness Elevating Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner, now £6.75 and £7.50 from FeelUnique.com

My favourite voluminous shampoo and conditioner, it leaves hair full and fabulous! It smells really gorgeous too. As with all products designed for big, full locks, I wouldn't recommend using this shampoo and conditioner every day, the swelling agents can weaken hair if used too often! 

2. Mark Hill Big Night Out Range: Supersize Me Volume Spray, £6.29, Oh, So Hot! Heat Protection Styling Spray, £6.29, available from Boots

It's so important not to forget to protect your hair in your quest for a big, fierce, mane. Mark Hill's Heat Protection Styling Spray combines protection with volume... erm, amaze? It doesn't weigh hair down and my hair felt nice and smooth after styling. 

3. Lauren's Way Dream Rollers, £16.95 for 20, available from Laurens Way
These rollers are really easy to whack in your barnet for an extra oomph. I pop them in to dry hair (much less likely to damage your hair if you pull them out of combed, clean, dry hair) while I apply my make-up for a big night out. They're comfy enough to lie down in if you fancy a post-party snooze, and  keep those pesky locks out of your mascara wand. Double win!

4. Catwalk by TIGI Your Highness Root Boost Spray, £11.50, available from FeelUnique.com
This product is so effective. Simply apply the Root Boost spray to your damp roots and then blow dry as normal. Instant glam volume! It smells gorgeous and doesn't make your hair sticky or matted. It's almost undetectable, except your tresses are packed with oomph! Fabulous.

Related Posts

• All You Need for Lush Locks: Top Products
• Hair A&E: Repair and Protect
• How to get sleek & shiny hair

Hair A&E: Repair and Protect

I've been trying everything, short of buying a wig, to achieve a seriously healthy-looking mane. Here's what made the grade when it came to intensive hair repair...

1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £26.25, available from PhilipKingsley.co.uk

It might be a bit of a splurge, but this product is an amazingly good thirst-quencher for hair. Apply to damp hair (concentrating on the length and the ends), and allow to absorb deeply for twenty minutes. A handy little shower cap comes with the product so you can tuck your hair up and out the way! Rinse off and shampoo/condition as normal. The treatment left my hair instantly replenished, and it felt REALLY silky smooth.

Top Tip: Ensure that you apply to damp hair as opposed to dripping wet, as excess water droplets will lessen the product penetration.

2. Charles Worthington Salon at Home Intense Rescue Melting Balm, £11.33, available from Boots

A quick and easy fix, this hard wax-like product should be worked into a rich oil by rubbing between your palms, and then applied to dry hair (concentrating on the length and the ends). Comb the product through hair, and leave for twenty minutes or so before washing hair as normal. It leaves hair feeling healthier, less frizzy when dried and smelling fabulous.

Top Tip: For really damaged hair, apply heat from a hair dryer for five mins after the product has been absorbing for twenty mins.

3. Tigi's Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender, 200ml, available from FeelUnique.com, £10.85 (delivery inclusive)

This product is genius. It works by bonding together the ends of your hair, preventing split ends. I use it every single time I wash my hair, and I have really seen the difference over the past six months. Apply a few squirts to damp hair after every wash and it will help your hair stay stronger for longer.

Top Tip: Start using Ego Boost after you've been for a trim, it'll lock down those naughty ends and stop them from straying.

4. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types, £30.45 for 100ml, available from FeelUnique.com (delivery inclusive)

This product really does instantly soothe dry, straw-like hair. I've got heavily highlighted hair, so this intensive oil works a treat for an instant sleek revival. I apply a small pea-shaped amount (you DO NOT need a lot) spread across my palms, then work through the ends of my damp, clean hair. If your hair isn't that dry or damaged, then this product probably isn't for you. It's rather intensive, so can leave soft hair a bit weighed down. I'd recommend Catwalk by TIGI's Blow Out Balm for a lighter alternative.

Top Tip: Always apply to damp hair to avoid looking like an oil slick. Seriously, it's not a good look.

Shine On: How to Get Seriously Glossy Locks

Oohhh, ahhh, shiny.

Yes ladies and metrosexual gents, your eyes do not deceive you. There is a brand new Aussie range available! Aussie Miracle Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, £5.99 each, available from Boots is for 'dull, tired hair, begging to shine.' Seeing as though I've abused my hair over the years in every which way possible (I'm so much more caring now, your beauty-honour!) and I've got lashings of shine-minimising blonde tones, I knew this was definitely one for me to try.

As always, five out of five for the sumptuous smell. It lathered brilliantly and my hair felt thoroughly cleansed after washing.

Before blow drying, I used Catwalk by TIGI's Sleek Mystique Straight Collection Blow Out Balm, £10.60, available from FeelUnique.Com (delivery inclusive in price) which protects hair from heat and adds an extra glossy shine, without weighing down fine hair. You only need to apply a pea-shaped amount to damp hair, but remember to work it across the palms of your hands first to avoid a heavy build up in one area. Again, this product smells totally fabulous, dreamy wafts of honeysuckle and dragon fruit all day long.

After blow-drying, my hair really had visibly improved in terms of shine. It looked healthy and glossy. Very impressed! A cautionary note... designer sunglasses may be required if these products are over-used.

De-Frizz & Shine: Mark Hill's Glam Goddess

Mark Hill's Glam Goddess De-Frizz Shine Serum, £6.49 for 50ml, available from Boots (where there's also a 2-for £7.50 on Mark Hill's range... oh hello there happy beauty blogger!) 

Winter is well and truly underway, which means it's frightfully nippy. It also means it is time to take those extra hair care measures to make sure your mane stays healthy, full and glossy. 

I'm already a fan of Mark Hill's hair products, despite the fact that I'm relatively new to them. Ever the shallow beauty magpie, I was enticed by the trendy packaging and the reasonable price tag (I'm a regular user of the rather pricey MoroccanOil, at £12.95 for 25ml) so as a cheaper alternative, I thought it was definitely worth a try. 

Overall, I was really pleased with this product. I have a number of friends who find the intensive de-frizz oils (such as MorrocanOil) too heavy for their hair, especially on a regular basis. If you're in a similar beauty boat, then give this product a try. It is light, smells lush and does leave hair visibly smoother. Just squirt a pea-sized amount into your palm, spread it across both of your hands, then work through damp hair (avoiding the roots). 

Dry as normal, you glamourous little arctic foxes!