Whether you’re chopping off your hair or exchanging your floor-length parka for something new, spring is the perfect time to break out of your comfort zone and try some of the season’s top trends. Switching up your beauty routine is a super easy and inexpensive way to try out new looks without adding another pair of gauchos to your closet (why, fashions gods, why?!). We’ve compiled some sophisticated beauty looks to rock at every important event this spring. Add these looks to your morning rotation, and you’ll be showing your best face this season.
Even if your BFF’s wedding colors are blush and bashful, that doesn’t mean you have to be. Stand out in the crowd of well-wishers with a bold lip and nail combo that spells out confidence and life of the party with MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($16) and Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquer in Lola ($18). This bright beauty look pairs well with spring’s popular gingham trend.
Your Uber-Important Work Presentation
Office beauty can be a tough nut to crack, especially in conservative work environments. Stay polished during your big presentation with a neutral, barely-there lip and a modern greige nail color. The subdued look will keep the focus on your business know-how and outstanding public speaking skills. Pair your NARS Lipstick in Belle du Jour ($27) and your Deborah Lippmann Nail Color ($18) with a utilitarian-chic dress for a kick-butt look.
Your Cousin’s Graduation Party
It’s graduation season, which requires a beauty look that can go from commencement to celebration with ease. Stick with a soft rose lip like Marc Jacobs’ Sheer Lip Gel in Eat Cake ($30) and a playful pink nail — our favorite is Butter London Polish in Macbeth ($15) — that seem both classy and personable. Add an on-trend navy shift dress that will have a welcome spot in your closet for decades.
Your Coworker’s Baby Shower
What is it about babies that goes perfectly with spring? Celebrate your coworker’s bundle of joy with a fun and fresh beauty look. We’re all about Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Salmon Pink ($16), which glides on like a dream. Stay gender neutral with a classic taupe nail color, like this Formula X nail polish in Thrilling from Sephora ($11).
Your Easter Sunday Brunch
Easter is the perfect occasion to take advantage of all the beautiful pastels spring has to offer. Wear your best little white dress to better complement a bubblegum pink pastel lip like Urban Decay’s Sheer Revolution Lipstick in Obsessed ($22). Wrap up your spring-themed look with Illamasqua’s robin egg-inspired nail varnish in Freckled ($24) and a pair of blue suede pumps.
Your First Picnic of the Season
Is the first outdoor fete of the season approaching on your calendar? Channel that “English Rose” beauty look with a muted, ladylike lip and nail combo. Tarte’s LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in Rose ($24) won’t smudge on your vintage tea cup, and Ciate’s Twinset and Pearls nail varnish ($8) will let you leave your actual pearls at home.
Your Mother’s Day Luncheon
Head to a special luncheon in Mom’s honor with a clean, subtle beauty look that lets her shine. Benefit’s Cheek Me Out! set ($13) delivers a subtle pink lip tint and highlighter for a glammed-up version of your everyday look. The Formula X White Party set from Sephora ($23) gives your nails a modern update with shimmery, barely-there colors. Hint: These sets are mom-approved, so buy them for her as well!
What’s your favorite beauty look for spring? Share in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.