This is my favourite time of year — because what feels better than emerging from stale grey days to blossom, green leaves and the feeling of sun on your skin? For a beauty editor, there is the added thrill of a glut of new launches to test and trial, as brands unveil their spring-summer releases, setting the scene for a thorough reorganisation of my make-up bag.
This year there seems to be a palpable shift. After seasons punctuated by precision — think laminated brows and overlined lips — make-up is softening. The common thread is texture. The new finish is diffused and soft focus, with an emphasis on balmy, blurry, almost imperceptible formulas that sink into skin rather than sitting on top of it. A movement rooted in ease and understated polish, it speaks to our busy lives and a need for make-up that delivers impact without too much effort.
