12 uplifting spring beauty trends to try now

As lighter nights and sunnier mornings feel just a hop, skip and jump away, it’s time to welcome in the new Spring beauty trends with a bang. Fresh faces, fun fringes and a colour palette that’ll lift the spirits, the big beauty picture for Spring is anything but boring. Now, if you’re anything like me, your feet might still be firmly stuck in cosy, sheepskin boots but that’s no reason not to let yourself dip a toe into what’s to come. Here’s my edit of the trends that will transport you…

By Liz Hambleton

 

 

• 1 Baby brows

  Any trend that makes me look younger and fresher gets an instant thumbs up. And if you’ve found the upkeep of power brows a tad too high maintenance then the baby brow could be for you. Fuller in shape and far less strict than the brow trends of last season, ask your brow therapist to take your a shade or two lighter than normal. I've gone 'mink' but cool kids could even copy the pastel pink Gucci baby brow…
• 2 Strands, wisps and tendrils

  If in doubt, let it hang out. That's the motto when it comes to crafting the perfect updo this season. Whether it's piled casually on top of your head as seen at the Thakoon show or gathered elegantly at the nape of the neck as seen at Valentino, it's not complete without a token tousle of hair hanging out. My advice? Make your own life easier by having a few face-framing long layers cut into your hair. 
• 3 Practical pedicures

  Functional footwear beats high heels any day and if the Spring catwalks are anything to go by, it's set to be one heck of a comfortable season ahead. Slides at Prada, flat mules at Gucci and chunky gladiator sandals on the highstreet will be the order of the day with nail trends following this no nonsense new mood. A pared-back pedicure palette of mushroom, mink, soft grey and stone will work with, rather than against the practicality of this new breed of shoes. Heaven. 
• 4 Naked lips

  With no bold lipstick to hide behind my lips will need to be in tip top condition this Spring. As well as turning to my beloved stockpile of balms, butters and buffers (I have MANY by the way) I'll be looking to the latest plumping and enhancing techniques to get my lips into shape. Semi-permanent makeup is already on my radar as a way to inject a subtle flush of colour into pale or aging lips, while the next generation of lip fillers promise a more natural way to plump up. I'm on the fence about the latter but results are impressive…
• 5 Buzzcuts for boys

  It’s a number one all over this spring as the buzzcut makes a comeback. It’s tough, it’s practical and boy does it sort out the men from boys. Make like the fella’s on the Givenchy catwalk and wear with urban tees (that’s functional t-shirts to you and me) or modern military jackets. A few things to think about before you do it: 1) don’t skip shampoo – dandruff has nowhere to hide now remember and 2) protect your scalp if you’re heading out in the sun. 
• 6 The blow-back

  Rejoyce! A blowout that doesn't leave you looking like you're on your way to a beauty pageant. Trust the glam team backstage at Stella McCartney to come up with a blowdry for women who hate to look blowdried. I count myself as one of these women which is why I am beyond thrilled to have found a chic, non-swishy alternative to sport come Spring.  
• 7 The LED glow

  Contouring and strobing have little on the natural luminosity of a well-cared for complexion. Regular facials combined with an investment in treatments and products that stimulate your skins' natural renewal system go a very, very long way. And I should know because after following this derm-approved approach to skincare, my skin has never looked better. Top of my list is the LED facial, a relatively quick and effective way to bring out your natural glow and solve a variety of issues such as acne and dullness. It's here makeup artists found their 'skinspiration' for Spring. 
• 8 Mini-fringes

  If I've said it once, I've said it twice; this teeny tiny fringe might be small on size but is HUGE on personality. Great for fringe fans wanting to push their usual bangs a little further, it's an easy way to change up your look. Sitting slap bang in the middle of the forehead, it's a length that requires a fair bit of maintenance and regular trims. Not for fringe first-timers. I only wish I had the balls to try it…
• 9 No mascara-required lashes

  Mascara fans brace yourself for a shock as on trend lashes go as bare as the day you were born. I can report that naturally fluttersome is the buzzword now with makeup artists aiming to lend Spring makeup looks a youthful innocence. If you've yet to experience the wonders of LVL – a lash lifting and tinting treatment loved by a whole host of celebrities and models, now might be the time to get acquainted. Likewise, I find that the right set of lash extensions can look incredibly natural. 
• 10 Metallic accents

  If you're already prepping for your 2017 festival look then this is for you. The whimsical metallic face art at Gimaba lends itself perfectly to crowd-surfing at Glasto or better yet, hanging backstage at Bestival. Worn against a freshly scrubbed complexion (or freshly spray tanned in my case) the effect is simple but striking. I predict flashes of chic metallics will be popping up on festival nails and toes as well…
• 11 Bleached neutral nails

  It's the nuances of your nail colour that really count this season. Nudes remain the most flattering way to freshen your nails for Spring but this time round beiges, biscuits and buffs are shot with cool undertones of white, pinks and blue. Avoid a 'chalky' finish by sticking to high gloss polishes and ask your manicurist to paint the underside of your nails, as well as the nails themselves. You won't go back once you've tried it…
• 12 Flame red hair

  Really, really red hair can be tricky to pull off in the sunnier Spring months but not this vibrant, flame red hue. Not quite orange, not quite red, it's the perfect pick-me-up after a Winter of severe sun deprivation. Ok, it's a tad bolder than your usual balayage but isn't there just something so joyous about it? If you can't cope with such a major colour manoeuvre, then follow my lead and try a hint of strawberry blonde instead.