I say, ‘spring beauty must haves’ with my tongue firmly in my cheek. I’m absolutely of the opinion that we are all beautiful in our own way without any help whatsoever. However I’m also a bit of a beauty junkie and I love to share products I’ve tried and really like. And while I’m very happy to test and review things, there isn’t one product in this list of spring beauty must haves that I haven’t paid for myself. These are literally things I have discovered in my travels, things that really work for me. If you are considering purchasing them, I hope my recommendation will be helpful to you – but you by no means ‘need’ any of these products to be the beautiful you that you already are!
Spring Beauty Must Haves
Hair
I’m a huge fan of The Drybar, This chain of blow dry bars started by LA Mom Alli Webb is proud to offer “No cuts. No color. Just blow outs.”. We have salons that offer blow outs in the UK but I’ve yet to find anything quite like this. I love their Santana Row location in Northern California and on my latest visit I was introduced to Triple Sec spray. It’s my new favourite styling product. Triple Sec adds volume and texture as well as refreshing your hair. However it doesn’t weigh hair down like many dry shampoos. Triple Sec is a great way to revitalise a flagging blow out but I’ve also found it’s great for days (ie. most days!) when I have done my hair myself and need a little extra help before heading out.
Keeping my hair in good condition is really important to me. I have been colouring my hair for <ahem> years now and as I get older I find that my hair needs extra care. Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Brand Shampoo and Cream Rinse is the most amazing duo I’ve ever used on my long, blond hair. Combining the moisturising benefits of Awapuhi with Paul Mitchells ‘Keratriplex’ protein blend, the Awapuhi Wild Ginger makes my hair soft, strong and manageable. It also allows me to keep my hair longer as I don’t have to have as many split ends trimmed from it.
Skin
I do splurge on my skin but I am wary of yet another product that needs to be layered on after serum(s) and moisturiser. However Dreamskin by Dior really is worth the effort. It evens my skin tone, brightens and makes my makeup last longer. I’m also seeing a consistent improvement in my skin tone over time. The new version of Dreamskin, just launched this spring, is even better than the original! Love the Dreamskin One Minute Mask as well.
I’ve been a devotee of Dior mascaras for years and I’m still a big fan, however I’m completely blown away by Makeup Forever’s Smoky Extravagant mascara. It has an ‘ergo-conic’ brush – it’s kind of a rounded cone shape – which allows for precision application as it lifts each lash individually. Smoky Extravagant lengthens my lashes and it stays put, something I often struggle with as my eyes tend to water in dusty or windy conditions.
And finally, a blow the budget product that really is worth the hype. I have been using Crème de la Mer moisturizing cream for over five years and the improvement in my skin has been unbelievable. It is a huge splurge but I save up and buy Crème de la Mer in the duty free when we travel, measuring it out really carefully when I use it so I don’t waste a drop. If you can splurge, this is a splurge that will not disappoint. I’m often told I look younger than I am and I absolutely believe that a big part of the reason for these compliments is this product. When I don’t use it my skin feels dry and tight and I can see fine lines – when I do my skin is plump, moisturised and the fine lines seem to disappear. I’d give up just about every other beauty product I use to keep using this one. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
All five of these Spring Beauty Must Haves recommendations are absolutely based on my personal experience of products I have purchased myself. If you would like to see your product featured here at AprilJHarris.com please contact me.
I haven’t tried the Triple Sec, but it sounds fantastic! definitely going to put it on my wishlist! Thanks for linking up with us at the Best in the Blogosphere!
I hope you like it as much as I do when you try it, Amber 🙂 Thank you for hosting!
You picked some really great products! I’ve always wanted to try Creme De La Mer and that Dry Bar stuff sounds great! p.s. I’m stopping by from the Best of Beauty Link-Up
Thank you, El 🙂 I’m so pleased to have discovered the link up – I’ll pop by your blog and say hello 🙂
I’ve head good things about the wild ginger shampoo, thanks for your input.
It really is wonderful, Karen 🙂
I’m definitely in the “less is more” beauty product club but I have to admit recently I’ve been feeling a little drab. And, April, in person you always look so radiant: I must conclude you know what you’re talking about!
You definitely don’t look drab, Pauline! It’s amazing how a little help can give me a lift though 🙂 Thank you so much for the compliment!