Spring makeup is the polar opposite to Winter.

It’s like makeup rehab; going cold turkey giving up the vampy lips (as much as it pains me) and taking up a new fresh faced routine. That’s not to say the makeup has no drama, because it gives us the unique opportunity to brighten up our days with some fresh Spring colour.

Much like the early-rising snowdrops and crocuses, the first blushes of spring are peaking through and are a sight for tired, wintery eyes.

Max Factor Cream Puff Blush

Many comparisons to the Hourglass and Milani baked blushes were made when these came on the scene. Blush/highlight combos are bridging the gap and saving us time. One swipe and we’re good to glow. Day to day, there isn’t always time for contour, blush, highlight and blend, blend, blend. The name might make you think they’re a cream, but instead they’re a super-fine powder; meaning a light sweep or a full-colour look is achievable from just one little pot. Lovely Pink, is aptly named as a soft cool pink with just a hint of shimmer, Nude Mauve a warming bronze that, thank lord, isn’t red-y or unnaturally orange. Feeling fruity? Gorgeous Berries is for you. Ideal for picking up the brighter hues as the season picks up. And at €11.49, it’ll be pretty easy to pick up a couple of these too.

Sleek Blush

Oh how we giggled when Sleek snuck into Boots last year. The reason being, so I hear, is that Sleek was a brand that particularly focused on darker skintones, which require stronger, more intense pigments. This means as a whole, we all benefit from beautiful, guilt-free products that pack a helluva lotta punch for barely more than a fiver.

Antique, the rusty-bronze we see here, is unlike anything else in my ever-growing collection. Usually a shade like this would be a bronzer, but this instead is like a subtle contour colour in that it brings definition without having to bring a lot of colour. Rose Gold, is widely considered a viable dupe for Nars’s iconic Orgasm blush with its shimmering gold through the coral-pink.

Clinique Cheek Pop

Ok, these were last year’s launch, but are they not just a picture of Spring-y perfection? They’ve got bloomin’ gerberas on them! There’s no fear of being overwhelmed as they’ve kept it simple with just 4 “just pinched” colours. I couldn’t pick just one, so picked up Ginger and Berry Pop. They look bright in the pot, but the formula is so fine and silky that it’s almost invisible on the skin leaving behind just enough of a flush. They’re the most pricey of this spread, at €20, but they’re not unreasonable either. Killer value when you consider the luxurious formula and incredible colour.

Spring resolution? Be less of a flushed floozy and get a bit of colour into my cheeks.