Knitch Magazine

This season we do an about face on foundation with a soft, sensual sun-kissed complexion rather than the brazenly bronzed faux glow that has been popular in the past.

To achieve the look use a light tanning cream, tinted moisturizer, or sheer powder. Mineral foundations remain popular as do shear cream blushes that provide a translucent whisper of peach or coral. You’ll want to use a light touch to create this freshly scrubbed, fabulously flawless, and alluringly natural glow.

Pictured right: MAC Mineralize Foundation SPF 15 is perfect for flawless summer skin.

For the eyes, we focus on everything fresh and feminine -- banishing the smoky grays, blacks and browns of autumn in favor of lighter, brighter summery colors. Shadows are shining and naturally radiant. Try shades that work with every skin tone, such as slightly shimmering baby blue, barely there pastel pink, or softly tantalizing tangerine. For a noticeably natural look, beige or gold shadow creates a sensationally subtle appeal. Powders and paints with fine mica provide light luminescence without looking glittery glam. The goal is to keep it soft, sophisticated and beautiful.

To modernize your eyes, try some clever under-color. Instead of the harsh coldness of black liner, sweep a line of royal blue or navy. Or go a little girly with baby blue, light purple or pale green. Just don’t be heavy handed: apply a color that complements your shadow and gently blend it outward.

If you’ve been watching the runways you know that the trend makers are going to great lengths to achieve long, luscious lashes that flutter and flatter the eyes. To create this look for yourself, don’t be afraid to use several coats of the new lash-lengthening mascaras. Or, better yet, fake it! False lashes add instant definition and drama. But be sure they’re applied carefully and evenly to keep them looking natural.

Now for the lips. Never before have we had so many pretty, pouty options! Innocent nude or naughty crimson, the choice is yours depending upon the look you want to achieve. Coral shades are hot, but keep them glossy or shimmery. Matte coral can make you look matronly. Peach is a great alternative if coral is too orange for your complexion. And both shades are wonderful alternatives when pink feels too cliché and red too vampy. Plus coral and peach look fabulous with a tan.

If you do go with a red lip, keep the eye makeup light. An overdone look is not what you want for spring 2010. Whatever shade you choose, the one “gotta have” item in your make-up kit is a nude liner to fill out your lips and prevent bleeding. Nude works with any color, so it’s the only lip liner you’ll need.

If you want to try something completely different, keep in mind that one of the hottest trends on the runways this spring was the “No Makeup” look, which features flawless skin with minimal mascara, bare or nude lips, a glowing scrubbed complexion, and neutrals and golds on the eyelids. This is such a naturally attractive daytime look that everyone should try it.

Finally, we end on our tips and toes. Nail trends for spring are nude, peach and coral which are pure perfection on sun kissed hands and feet. But if you want to end on a more dramatic note, polish off your look with a periwinkle manicure and pedi.