Spring Beauty 2015 Beauty Must-Haves :: Return of the Roses

There is but one rule I impose on hubzilla when it comes to gift-giving: don't give me long-stem pricey roses. I'm no romance grinch but I'd rather spend that money on things I will cherish for a while i.e makeups and scents. It's the girly-girl persona behind the fierce facade.

Love rose like I do? rejoice because it's Spring's must-have! While browsing Neiman Marcus, I was inspired to curate my own beauty look book by shopping my stash. Can I get a nod for defeating the itchy impulse purchase?

Let's begin with fragrances. Rose is hard to pull of in this category. Too strong a scent makes you smell like old school grandma. Too powdery induces migraine attack, at least for moi. I've tried quite a few but these fragrances passed my ultra-discriminating olfactory sense.

Bulgari Rose Essentialle is my signature grown woman scent. It is sexy and sophisticated with longevity of about twelve hours, give or take. Top note is unmistakably rose with a trace of musk and berry altogether. It's the scent which solicits compliments when you enter a room. The rose-hued bottle exudes effortless elegance, definitely right up my alley!

I'm a L'Occitane fan long before I started this blog. Their fragrances don't overwhelm me or people near me, plus the price point is just right. Released in 2012, Rose De Champs is a marriage between sweet rose and refreshing citrus. It's a great transitional scent from spring to summer. You might still find this in select retailers so in case you spot one, grab it before it's finally gone. A new release, Arlesienne Body Oil made it to my Winter Staples. It smells good and hydrates my dry skin so well especially this time of the year.

Infused with rosewater, I use Fresh Rose Floral Toner in the morning pre-makeup application. I spritz  it few times and while my face is still wet, I use either a beauty sponge or brush to apply and blend liquid foundation. It makes blending and buffing easy plus I love the natural-looking finish. Try it yourself and let me know how it worked for you.

Another Hourglass favorite, Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat is the perfect poppy pink to bring out your cheery side and youthful glow (full review here). It's quite shimmery without accentuating huge pores lest I won't be wearing it. Got NARS Orgasm? tell me you said yes! Universally-flaterring, this sheen peachy pink blush gives your cheeks that boost! My makeup trick to fresh and dewy skin for Spring is to keep it simple. Skip contouring and play up your lips or cheeks. Seriously, we need to give the overhyped contouring a hiatus for now, at least not for everyday look por favor.

You know me well enough zillas! Save the best for last, finally let's unravel my lipstick choices for Spring!

Known for its uncanny skincare line, Rodial has amazing lipsticks to boot. Rodial Glamstick Tinted Lip Butter in Blow (review here) is a beautiful pink lilac shade which hydrates and protects our beloved puckers from harmful UV rays. Did I say it smells yummy coconut? you bet I'm hooked!

If sheer pink is your jelly-jam, Tory Burch Just Like Heaven (review here) is for the feminine at heart. It applies like butter, which brings me to my next point: it moisturizes the lips while giving you that delicate-as-a-rose aura.

Another lady-like in my stash, YSL Rouge Volupte Shine 8 Pink in Confidence is a lovely dusty pale pink you can rock any day, any time, 365d. It has luminous finish that looks like gloss sans the tacky feel.

Still from YSL, Volupte Tint-In-Oil is a great transitional lip care product from winter to spring. I Rose You (review here) is a pink-hued tint suspended in essential oils for deep hydration.

Of course Spring isn't all about pinks; however, I don't want to deviate from the immaculate vibe so to complete my lipstick recommendation, I vote for a peachy beige shade: Gucci Audacious 030 Spring Rose (deets here). It moisturizes and grips the lips with impeccable pigment!

Here's my take on Spring makeup. I'm wearing YSL Rouge Volupte Shine 8 Pink in Confidence, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (Diffused Heat), Dark Brown from Hourglass Modernist Eyeshadow Palette on brows and Ivory on lids, L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Blacquer (tightlined), black|Up Mattifying Fluid Foundation and Radiance Concealer (still road testing both), Guerlain Lingerie De Peau Powder Foundation (to set concealer, review here)

What's your Spring favorite?

Shop my Spring Must-Have's!