In with the new

SO HOW DO you like our new-look magazine? We’ve had a makeover to freshen up our pages for spring – you can do the same with your beauty routine by making a few simple changes. Updating your look is easy – a new product can obviously do the trick, but also learning a new technique or changing textures will get you fresh-faced for spring.

Ditch black and favour white. Worn next to the face, white has the same light-reflecting qualities photographers use to bounce light off the face with whiteboards. From a simple T-shirt to a crisp white blouse, classic white is your best friend to give an instant boost to your complexion (the Thomas Pink shirt to the right fits the bill).

Get skin glowing by adding exfoliation to your daily skin care routine. Morning time is ideal as you can just replace washing your face with this much more effective method of deep cleansing. The granular texture whips dead skin cells and oily residue into submission, leaving skin glowing and ready for the day ahead. Give special attention to the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin), as these are the areas where blocked pores and oils can build up. My favourite exfoliator is Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant, a rice-based powder which smooths and brightens. I found it on special offer at €39.10 (down from €46) at kudosbeauty.ie, with free postage.

Add a healthy glow by skipping foundation in favour of a tinted moisturiser. One of the benefits of perfectly polished skin is the even absorption of moisturising creams, and this is even more relevant with a tinted formula where you need even colour coverage. Estée Lauder has added a tinted version to its Daywear range – a power-packed cream which transforms into a sheer tint when applied to skin. Added to your healthy, even-toned glow, you also get an SPF 15, so it’s a great three–in-one multi-tasker. Daywear Sheer Tint Release costs €44.

Say yes to cream when it comes to blush – it is so much fresher than powder formulas. A pop of colour on cheeks adds instant wow to your complexion. Call your lipstick up for double duty, as it’s your perfectly matching blush shade – simply dot along the fullest part of your cheek and blend upwards and outwards. I do it all the time.

Get on the scent of a new fragrance to change your mood. Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful triggers for time and place, and a shift from a heavier fragrance can instantly fast-forward you into the new season. Why not meet a friend and spend an enjoyable afternoon together at the fragrance counters – it’s fun, free and you never know what will tickle your fancy.

The most talked about scent this season is Untitled by the super cool Belgian designer Maison Martin Margiela. Cult Parisian store Colette fought to debut this scent, and Brown Thomas in Dublin devoted an entire window to its launch. It’s a Marmite scent – you’ll either love it or hate it. I fall into the former category and was seduced by its very different take on green florals. A must try for fragrance lovers (€52)