Transitioning Makeup for Spring in Five Steps

If you like taking a seasonal approach to makeup, March is ripe with possibility. Why? It’s a cusp month that allows you to infuse elements of winter while beginning to shift gears to spring. To get the transition right, you want to achieve a balance of color, shine, and finish that reflects the changing seasons, says expert Hiromi Ueda. Known for infusing unique hues and finishes into gorgeous, natural-looking makeup, Ueda is here to share her top tips. From luminous skin to fresh pastels, she outlines five simple strategies for transitioning your makeup from winter to spring.

Illuminate Your Skin

“I like natural skin—bare but finished-looking,” says Ueda of her overarching approach to complexion. She adds that for this time of year, it’s all about a “luminous, radiant finish.” Begin with a luminous, semi-matte foundation like Armani Luminous Silk to create a “flawless, glaze-like” finish before adding a liquid highlighter, like Illuminating Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer, on top along the highs of the cheekbones. There’s nothing like strobed skin to set the stage for skin.

Flush Your Cheeks

A frost-bitten glow and fresh spring flush have more in common than you think. Evoke both vibes simultaneously with a flush-from-within skin, layering on blush pigments with a light hand. For that more diffused, soft-focus effect, Ueda likes to layer liquid beneath powder, which creates more dimension and a “more subtle” pink glow. “Add Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter in radiant pink, and then blend a bit of Luminous Silk Powder Blush on the highest parts of the cheeks,” she says. Ueda also suggests echoing the same rosy hue in the lips for a monochrome effect.