Day

Lips: Estée Lauder High Gloss in Pearl; Eyes: Giorgio Armani Maestro; Clinique Fresh Bloom Color Surge Eyeshadow Trio in Forget Me Not; Chin: Giorgio Armani Designer Shaping Cream Foundation and Estée Lauder Brilliant Shimmer Allover in Rose Quartz

Night

Lips: Estée Lauder High Gloss in Pearl and Giorgio Armani ArmaniSilk High Color Cream Lipstick No. 33; Eyes: Giorgio Armani Maestro; Lancôme Color design Pop Cherub palette in Cherie and Bourjois Liner Pinceau liquid eyeliner; Cheeks: Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony; Chin: Giorgio Armani Designer Shaping Cream Foundation and Estée Lauder Brilliant Shimmer Allover Powder in Rose Quartz

This season, the look is clean and natural; the effect is one of ease. On the runways of Michael Kors, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen, pale, neutral shades on eyes and subtle pops of color on lips were the way to go. We talked to four top Chicago-based makeup artists-Debbie Jacks, Cammy Kelly, DarcyMcGrath, and Pieter Verhoeven-for the latest tips and trends to freshen up your face. “Spring is all about a new beginning, so put your darker colors away and treat yourself to some new colors,” says Verhoeven, a makeup artist for Ford Models. “They will brighten up your face and create a natural glow.”

 

Back to Basics

Too much foundation can make you look artificial-a faux pas for spring’s clean, natural mood. “People tend to make a mask out of their foundation,” says Kelly, who has worked with celebrities such as Nicky Hilton, David Schwimmer, and Anna Nicole Smith. A hint of pale pink on the cheeks can also liven up your look.

The products: Kelly is a fan of Armani when it comes to coverage. “Its foundations are right on for spring; they’re not too shiny or shimmery,” she says. Try Giorgio Armani’s new Designer Shaping Cream Foundation ($65) at Saks Fifth Avenue, 700 North Michigan Avenue, and Nordstrom, 55 East Grand Avenue, or Laura Mercier’s Stick Foundation ($40) at selected Neiman Marcus stores for a healthy-looking base. Both contain sunscreen for those early spring days.

 

 Product Description The Products

SKIN DEEP

When the seasons change, be sure to replenish winter-weary skin. “Women need to hydrate more to get a long-lasting finish in their makup,” says McGrath, who makes house calls through her service, Darcy McGrath Beauty and Style. She is also on-call at the MetaMorphosis Spa at 1757 Orchard Lane in Northfield.

Clinique’s Continuous Rescue Antioxidant Moisturizer ($39.50) at Macy’s can restore dry skin and create a smoother canvas for your makeup. McGrath often recommends the Epicuren Uplifting Facial at the MetaMorphosis Spa to revive skin for spring. “A facial,” she says, “creates a smooth, radiant finish.”

EYES WIDE OPEN

Heavy eyeliner and dark shadows give way to pale, pretty hues and bright colors. “People look at bright colors in the packaging and think they should avoid them,” says Jacks, whose celebrity clients include Julianne Moore and Joan Cusack. “They’re really sheer right now, so people shouldn’t be afraid of using them.”

 

Bourjois Survoltée waterproof cream eyeshadow in Electric Beige ($14) at Sephora, 845 North Michigan Avenue and other locations. “What’s beautiful about this is that you get pearlescence, but it’s a little more taupe,” says McGrath. To avoid a rounded eye, work the colors in from the inner to the outer corner on an angle. Over the cream shadow, she recommends layering Clinique’s new Fresh Bloom Color Surge Eyeshadow Trio in Forget Me Not ($21.50) at Macy’s. Also try Lancôme Color Design Pop Cherub palette in Cherie ($50) at Bloomingdale’s, 900 North Michigan Avenue.

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

For a chic night out, Verhoeven suggests a smokier look with dark eyeliner and nude lips. “This is a good look, because the spring collection will have soft, light colors,” he says. “Eyeliner will give you a boost at night and will give you more body.” Jacks recommends going with bright eyeshadow and darker lips. “But keep it shimmery, not matte,” she advises. Add a coat of mascara or false eyelashes and you’re good to go.

Bourjois Liner Pinceau liquid eyeliner ($15) at Sephora can add drama to a daytime spring look. Brush on the new Armani Maestro mascara ($26) from Saks Fifth Avenue for dramatic effect. Pair with Estée Lauder’s High Gloss Ultra Brilliance lip gloss in Ivory ($16) at Carson Pirie Scott. For darker, translucent lips, use ArmaniSilk High Color Cream Lipstick No. 33 ($25). But whatever you do, Verhoeven warns, don’t combine dark lips with dark eyes.

GETTING CHEEKY

A touch of pink or peach blush can give you a sun-kissed glow. “After winter, it makes you happier to use warm colors,” says Jacks.

Brighten up with Clinique’s Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony ($29.50) at Macy’s or Estée Lauder’s Brilliant Shimmer Allover Powder in Rose Quartz ($32) at Carson Pirie Scott, Edens Plaza, Wil-mette. Get a flirty, flushed look by brushing lightly on a diagonal on the upper cheek.

LUSH LIPS

Kiss lip liner and reddish- brown lipstick goodbye and say hello to dusty roses, creamy oranges and peaches, and cotton-candy pink. “You’ll see more pink lips and soft colors,” says Kelly.

Try Estée Lauder’s High Gloss Ultra Brilliance lip gloss in Pearl ($16) at Carson Pirie Scott, Eden’s Plaza, Wilmette, and Clinique’s Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine gloss in Toffee Boost at Macy’s, 111 North State Street.
TIP: Kiss lip liner and reddish-brown lipstick goodbye and say hello to softer colors.