We’re daring to declare that the sun is finally here, and spring has sprung in the great North! It’s time to revamp your skincare and makeup routine to flow with the changing seasons and revitalize any dry and dull post-winter complexions for a vivacious visage. Let’s glow!

Renew your skin with gentle Lactic Acid peels

As spring rolls around, many of us are eager to shed the dullness of winter and embrace a radiant complexion. Enter lactic acid peels, the unsung heroes of skincare, offering a swift route to luminosity without the hassle of months of using regular skincare products before you can even begin to see results. Dubbed “lunch peels” by Lesley at L.A.B. Beauty, these treatments are a game-changer for those seeking a quick fix with zero downtime. Unlike their more intense counterparts, lactic acid peels ensure your skin won’t stage a revolt – there’s no risk of it falling off your face, Goldmember style (bonus points for my Millennial friends that understand this 90s movie reference). By loosening the bonds between your skin cells, lactic acid peels force skin cell turnover to reveal fresh, smooth, texture-free (for myself, anyways) beautiful skin. They’re quick, effective and most importantly, safe for summer, making them a top choice for rejuvenating your skin without the fear of post-treatment complications.

Nestled in Toronto’s vibrant Junction area, Lesley at L.A.B. Beauty isn’t just your average skincare guru – she’s a beacon of wit, warmth and wisdom. Her expertise in lactic acid peels aren’t the only reason to pay her a visit; her infectious humour and welcoming demeanor make every appointment a delight. Operating within a shared space with a tattoo studio adds a unique edge to the experience, blending the worlds of beauty and art seamlessly. So if you’re craving a glowing complexion for spring and a side of laughter, make your way to Lesley at L.A.B. Beauty – your skin (and your spirits) will thank you.

Reviewed by Amy Pigeon

Revolutionary skincare with Neostrata

Neostrata’s Rebound Sculpting Cream should be one of the next steps in your spring-time skincare routine, after a monthly Lactic Acid peel from Lesley. This new cream is your ticket to a radiant complexion. Formulated to tackle a comprehensive array of aging concerns, this revolutionary cream is your one-stop solution for addressing age spots, loss of elasticity, fine lines, dryness and more. What sets it apart is the patented MicroDiPeptide229 technology, a breakthrough peptide designed with smaller molecules to penetrate the skin’s surface more efficiently and target essential components like collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. Years of research and development have culminated in this innovative formula, which works tirelessly to provide a lifted, sculpted appearance, making you look as youthful as you feel after a shot or several of espresso.

Lightweight and deeply hydrating, the Rebound Sculpting Cream boasts a potent blend of 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)/Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) and 5% Gigawhite, ensuring a smoother, brighter and more even complexion. Its fragrance-free formula is tested on all skin tones, making it a versatile choice for anyone seeking visible results. Whether you’re combatting age-related concerns or simply aiming to enhance your skin’s natural radiance, incorporating this cream into your daily skincare routine is a decision you won’t regret.

Reviewed by Amy Pigeon

Dewy makeup essentials with Glossier

Glossier has truly mastered the art of achieving that coveted lit-from-within glow, and their trio of beauty essentials – Lidstar, Futuredew, and Haloscope – are no exception. Starting with Lidstar, this shimmering eyeshadow is a game-changer for spring makeup routines. Its sheer, blendable formula effortlessly glides onto lids, leaving behind a luminous veil of colour. With six shades to choose from, each offering a unique combination of pearls and flecks, achieving a multi-dimensional glow has never been easier. Whether you opt for a subtle hint of shimmer or a bolder statement, Lidstar promises to deliver the dreamy, glistening look you’ve been searching for.

For a radiant complexion that lasts beyond the day, Futuredew steps in as your skincare shortcut. This innovative oil-serum hybrid is packed with hydrating heavy-hitters and nourishing oils, providing a gleamy, well-moisturized finish that mimics the effects of a full skincare routine. With its long-lasting, brightening effects enduring up to 12 hours, Futuredew is the ultimate glow-inducing product for those seeking a dewy, fresh-faced look this spring. Finally, complete your radiant ensemble with Haloscope, Glossier’s crystal-infused highlighter that leaves skin glowing and glazed without a trace of glitter. Available in three universally flattering shades, Haloscope’s vitamin-rich moisturizers and genuine powdered crystals work together to enhance your inner glow, ensuring you shine from within all day long.

Reviewed by Amy Pigeon

Shimmery mixables and pastels with Make Up For Ever

For those seeking a radiant, natural and luminous complexion, the Make Up For Ever HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation is the answer to your spring makeup dreams. The HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation boasts an impressive 86% skincare-based formula, offering medium coverage and a naturally radiant finish that hydrates, smooths, plumps, and brightens the skin instantly and over time.  Its featherlight texture effortlessly melts into the skin, providing buildable coverage for a flawless yet natural look. Complementing the foundation, the HD Skin Concealer, also largely composed of skincare ingredients, offers undetectable coverage with a real-skin finish that visibly smooths, brightens and corrects under-eye imperfections.

For added glow, the Ultra HD Soft Light liquid highlighter adds the perfect touch of luminosity without any sticky or sparkly residue, thanks to its mother-of-pearl formula. Whether applied directly to the face or mixed into foundation, this lightweight highlighter effortlessly blends into the skin, instantly perfecting the complexion with its blurring properties.

Complete your look with the iconic pro staple: the Flash Color Case. With 12 highly pigmented, multi-use, opaque cream shades, dip into this palette for endless creativity. Whether you’re aiming for subtly or bold artistic statements, this versatile palette provides blendable formulas and shades that seamlessly cover the skin with gorgeous pastels and vivid shades with that satin finish perfect for spring.

Reviewed by Amy Pigeon

Mesmerizing glow getters with Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury is known for products that create flawless, gleaming finishes that radiate “spring”. For another glowing base option, our foundation choice from this brand is Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation. This medium coverage, hydrating foundation is expertly formulated with skincare ingredients, delivering instant glow and buildable coverage with added skincare benefits. Infused with brightening rose complex and hydrating hyaluronic acid, it improves the look of your skin with each wear, boasting a texture and lightweight feel we adore.

A great highlighter is also pivotal for the glowy makeup look and we recommend the Hollywood Flawless Filter. Drawing inspiration from the illuminating effects of Hollywood lights, this is a powerful, versatile highlighter that blurs, smooths and illuminates for a magical glow. Wear it alone for a fresh look, mix with foundation for soft radiance, or apply on top of foundation as a highlighter for an extra show-stopping finish. You can achieve a variety of looks with this product!

Another option is to skip spring and jump straight ahead to a summer glow, with the Beautiful Skin Island Glow Easy Tanning Drops, Charlotte’s self-tanning solution. These tanning drops are clinically proven to contain tan-enhancing molecules that are infused with radiance-boosting, skin-plumping and hydrating skincare ingredients and provide an Ibiza-inspired, lit-from-within island glow and feeling. We love the streak-free application and natural-looking results.

Reviewed by Andra Balaci

Buttery and bold pouts with about-face

The about-face Cherry Pick Lip Color Butter is an absolute game-changer, especially now that it’s made its debut in Canada at Shopper’s Drug Mart. The brand belonging to the renowned celebrity Halsey, brings a touch of celebrity glam to your everyday routine. The formula is dreamy, boasting wild pigmentation and a texture that feels like a luxurious hybrid between lipstick and gloss. A little goes a long way with this buttery formula, thanks to its powerhouse list of nourishing ingredients. Infused with the delightful scent of cherries and enriched with a lip-loving recipe including components like pomegranate flower extract and cherry butter, it not only adds a pop of colour but also moisturizes and plumps your lips. With a variety of shades ranging from warm nudes to deep espresso, there’s a perfect hue for every mood – however, we of course we are team “extra” over here and opt for the bright showstoppers! Furthermore, knowing that all about-face products are 100% vegan and cleanly formulated adds to the appeal. Say hello to your new go-to lip essential!

Reviewed by Amy Pigeon

Photography credit: Images provided by brand owners, Faulhaber Agency and Unsplash