Beauty

Relax—it’s fine that you’ve been in a total rut since November. It’s natural; everyone has been. But winter is just about over, and spring is just around the corner and all that, so now’s the time to get excited about, well, everything. The future is bright.

A season doesn’t happen unless you’ve got the proper beauty products for the occasion (that’s real science; you can quote me on it), so get very, very excited to spend money and brainpower—decisions, decisions—on these spring must-haves. Whether they’re brand-new releases or updated versions of old favorites, there’s nothing not to love. Or not to buy, rather.

Fresh Sugar Sport Treatment Sunscreen ($30)

There’s literally no excuse for not wearing sunscreen, but if you struggle with “remembering” to apply it, this SPF 30 stick makes easy work of your plight. It moisturizes with beeswax and avocado oil and coats the skin to stay on all day, which sounds unpleasant but is really quite lightweight. Plus, it’s pretty cute and fits into any purse or beach bag. See what we mean? No excuses.

Tom Ford Patent Finish Lip Color ($52)

An intensely pigmented lip stain with a finish so glossy you could probably see your reflection in it? Yes, please. In four bold, bright colors, there’s something for everyone … except for the shrinking violet.

SK-II Mid-Day Essence Spray ($80)

Your (and everyone else’s) favorite hydrating, skin-brightening essence, in travel-/purse-/life-friendly face-mist packaging. Crucial for long flights, refreshing makeup, and anything you ever have to do after 2 p.m.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-in-Stick ($37)

There’s no such thing as having too many slightly sheer bright lipsticks, especially when they’re as good as this one. The balmy formula seems to “melt” on lips, and even the more neutral colors have just the right amount of pigment to make lips look luminous—but it’s the eye-searing brights we’ve got our hearts set on for spring.

Elcie The Glow Enhancer Dry Face Oil ($48, available later this month)

This rich, shimmery oil wants to be your IRL Instagram filter, and it delivers. It’s deceptively nonsparkly once it’s on your face, and with meadowfoam, rose hip, and jojoba oils, it’s actually great for your skin, too.

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Cream Blush ($70)

The only thing to not love about this bright fuchsia blush is that the packaging weighs an estimated 5,000 pounds. But still! It’s longer-wearing than most cream blushes of its ilk, and has just a touch of shimmer that makes skin downright luminous.

Kiko Milano Artist Foundation Face Brush ($15)

A foundation brush is a foundation brush is a foundation brush, and while this one is at the very top of its class for the price, it’s made all the better by how good it looks.

LORAC Color Source Buildable Blush ($22)

If you like it bright—and of course you do—you can layer this blush to make it pop. You also have the option of not applying half the pan, but hey, when you want color you want color.

Guerlain Météorites Base Perfecting Pearls ($74)

Really, how could you ever turn this one down? It has a light, fresh gel texture that melds with the pearls to make skin glow with “multi-colored, micro-shimmer particles” that “amplify light reflections to create an illuminating color-corrective light for your complexion.” OK, great, sounds good!

Stila Correct & Perfect Palette ($45)

Because we’re all mystified by color correctors at this moment in time, skip the hassle of choosing the perfect one for you and opt for this all-in-one palette instead. It’s got five buildable color-correcting creams in peach, pink, green, yellow, and orange, as well as two finishing powders in brightening lavender and tone-evening yellow.

Chosungah 22 So Tiny Lip & Cheek Face Color ($14)

For bright, smoothing color that glows, this tiny tube from K-beauty favorite Chosungah 22 is your go-to. The 10 lip and cheek shades, which run the spectrum from pale peach and pink to “intense” burgundy, are especially amenable to dry skin types—castor seed oil, argan oil, and manuka honey extract make them moisturizing but never oily.

Pixi Glowtion Day Dew ($22)

The only way a dewy, radiance-enhancing moisturizer could get better is by adding superior ingredients like lavender oil (for calming) and kaolin clay (for purifying and absorbing oil), and this one does just that. Imperfections are blurred, irritation is soothed, and dull skin doesn’t stand a chance.

MAC Brow Duo ($22)

Brow pencils are quick and easy to operate, but brow powders are unrivaled when it comes to filling in brows and creating the perfect shape. These duos are neutral enough to work on a variety of brow shades, so there’s no need for an exact match. Just arm yourself with a small angled liner brush, and you’re good to go.

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Sundays Cool ($18)

A soft, gray-leaning lavender is flattering on all skin tones—seriously. Combine that with this glossy, long-lasting formula and you’ve got yourself a springtime winner.

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38)

Highlighter is very important, and these “strobing” powders, though very new, are certainly worth their salt. They’re downright luminous, not at all sparkly, thanks to the “ultra-fine micro-pearl particles” and “Photoluminescent Technology.” Paired with the designated Strobe Light Sculptor, it’s one of the most remarkable highlighting powders we’ve tried yet.