In the Pink

Faces are flush with sexy, powerful pinks this spring.

"Pink is the hottest colour for makeup this season," confirms Lindsay Ebbin, makeup artist and general manager of the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon in Toronto, Ontario. "We are seeing rich-toned pinks on the entire face, from lids to lips."

Ebbin says the collections from New York, Milan and Paris all pulsed in pink with models wearing matte berry and rose shades, highlighted with a dab of gloss placed on the middle of the lower lip. Red lips were also on the spring schedule. Ebbin suggests applying one of the new warm, medium-to-dark red tones over classic, cool, blue-reds.

To balance this season's emphasis on strong lips, eyes are left soft and subtle with pale pinks or shimmering lilacs blended with cool, steely greys and glimmering golds. The experts at Matrix Essentials recommend brushing one of these shimmering shades over the entire lid, from lash to brow to give a fresh, feminine look.

To finish the eye, Sandra Soleiman, marketing development manager for Sebastian's Trucco line, recommends skipping heavy liners in favor of mascara on the upper lashes and meticulously groomed brows.

"Eyebrows have always been thought of as accents to the face," Soleiman explains. "For spring, the brows are the main focus of the overall look-not just an afterthought."