beauty addict

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The latest trends, techniques, and insider secrets—revealed.

Weekend Update
Stuck in a beauty rut? No problem. You can get a fresh new look in a flash.
By Kristiana Glavin

Let’s face it, we all have our favorites: the beloved lipstick we’ve worn since high school, our tried-and-true skin-care regimen, that comfortable hairstyle we keep coming back to. But repetition in beauty, as in all things, can get boring, and what’s worse, it can leave us looking dated (let’s reflect on some of the most common beauty-rut symptoms—helmet hair, overdrawn lipliner, racing-stripe blush). And even if you’re not committing any outright beauty blunders, you may still be trapped in a cosmetics cycle that has jumped the shark. The good news? It’s spring, the season of renewal, and a single weekend is all it takes to update your look. Afraid of change? Well, don’t be. Refreshment doesn’t require a reality TV–style overhaul; just a few minor adjustments can make a big impact.

Do an About Face
When it comes to skin renewal, sloughing off dead cells is a good place to start, says skin-care specialist and makeup artist Bozenna Chepya. You can seek out a professional peel or microdermabrasion treatment or do it yourself (some of our favorite at-home solutions include the Avon Anew Clinical 2-Step Microdermabrasion Peel, Philosophy Resurface the Microdelivery Peel Kit, and the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush). If you have acne-prone skin, Chepya recommends an alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy treatment (the affordable Alpha Hydrox New Generation kit comes with a 14 percent glycolic peel and a 12 percent glycolic cream, along with a vitamin-rich cleaner and SPF 15 moisturizer). And to combat winter’s skin-dulling effects, Chepya recommends following up with a detoxifying oxygen facial, as well as an ongoing regimen that includes anti-aging products packed with SPF, as well as vitamins C and E, coenzyme Q10, collagen, or elastin.

Once you’ve recharged your skin, it’s time to start thinking about color—which means acknowledging that the times, and you, have changed. While there’s something to be said for a classic, consistent look (since most people naturally gravitate toward hues that flatter their skin tone), a palette can get stale if you don’t continue to experiment. Fortunately, this spring you can play with vibrant, shimmery makeup without the risk of looking like Bozo. “Even the brightest tones are very translucent now,” Chepya says. “They go on sheer and smooth and are easy to blend.” Her favorite look for summer is a sexy metallic eye worn with a soft dewy lip and shimmery cheek (our picks to get the look include Stila Smudge Pots in Copper, MAC Beauty Powder in Shell Pearl, and Origins Lip Shimmer in Mangotini). Adam Broderick, owner of the Adam Broderick Salon in Connecticut, suggests eyelash extensions as a finishing touch. Since they typically last four to six weeks and will stick with you even when swimming, “your eyes will always look fabulous,” he says. Another option is to invest in a high-voltage mascara, such as Urban Decay Big Fatty, Benefit BadGal Lash, or Dior DiorShow Mascara, then amp up the drama after dark with a few individual lashes at the outer corners of your eyes. Although you can easily achieve the look at home, don’t underestimate the value of a cosmetics-counter makeover, which can give you a fresh perspective.

Transform Your Tresses
Perhaps the biggest beauty-rut indicator is a hairstyle that’s past its prime. “It’s like the great outfit you wear to death. One day you put it on and hate it—you get over it,” Broderick says. But sometimes, the signs aren’t so clear: “You stand in front of the mirror and know it’s not working, but you’re not sure why. That means it’s time to make an appointment with your stylist.” Of course, the best way to break out of a beauty rut is to not get into one in the first place, and Broderick notes that most good salons automatically offer an update at the change of every season. If your salon doesn’t offer this service or you simply haven’t booked your spring appointment yet, set your sights on subtle changes—a few layers here, a different part, a new styling technique, a fresh hair accessory. Also consider the look for spring, which is looser and freer than past seasons. “We’ve gone from a very straight, flatironed look to more texture and movement,” Broderick says. As the weather warms up, he suggests getting a low-maintenance cut that will allow your hair to move freely. “Think loose and tousled,” he says, adding that the result should appear laid-back: “There’s a difference between loose, natural hair, and looking like you’ve been shot out of a cannon.”

Hair color, of course, is equally important, and this spring, strands are going lighter, warmer, and brighter. “Sunny colors are really hot right now,” says Broderick. “Strawberry blondes, buttery and copper shades, and brunettes with caramel and golden highlights are more appealing than ashy colors.” To add warmth and accentuate the natural movement of your hair, have your stylist create random highlights with a focus on framing the face. “Most peoples’ skin gets a little darker in the summer, so they can support lighter, brighter hair,” Broderick says. To enhance the warmth of monochromatic strands, which are still superhot, ask your stylist for a conditioning shine treatment, or get the look yourself with an at-home glaze (if you love your current color, you can simply opt for a clear version). Most important, Broderick says, you needn’t be a slave to trends or do anything dramatic to modernize your look. After all, Madonna-style reinvention isn’t for everyone, but then again, neither is sporting the same style for decades. The goal should be timeless with a twist. “The women who do the best job are the ones who understand their own personal style,” he says. “They use fashion as a point of inspiration instead of a definitive road map.”

Photo credit: Kovalev Serguei

Out of Time
If you answer “yes” to one or more of the following questions, chances are, you’re stuck in a beauty rut.

Would you describe your look as “predictable”?
Has it been more than six months since you had a facial, microdermabrasion, or peel?
Has it been more than three months since you bought a new cosmetic?
Does your makeup tend to stay the same from day to night?
Do you wear makeup shades until they’re discontinued?
Have you had the same hairstyle or hair color for more than three years?
When you look at five-year-old photos of yourself, do you look the same?

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