5 Instant Beauty Uplifters

I’m not sure about you, but as the winter weather here in Chicago continues to drag on I’m feeling the need for a beauty perk up just in time for spring! No matter what climate you may live in, these five instant beauty uplifters will help you kick a case of the Monday’s and leave you feeling (or at least looking) refreshed and ready for anything!

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#1 Bright Lips: Add a bright pop of color to your lips to put a little pep in your step this week! My favorite colors for spring are bright pinks and oranges. Whether you’re a gloss girl or lipstick lady, there are plenty of great options to choose from! For a long wearing bright smile that lasts all day I reach for Revlon’s Kissable Balm Stains. If I’m in the mood for something a bit more moisturizing I opt for Maybelline Color Whisper or Revlon Lip Butters. If you’re a gloss lover I’d recommend checking out Revlon Colorburst and L’Oreal L’Gloss from the drugstore. OCC Lip tars are also super pigmented and long wearing.

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#2 Cheek Stain: For a flushed glow on the cheeks that lasts all day, reach for a cheek stain! Many, such as Benefit Cosmetics Cha Cha tint and Stila Cheek & Lip Tint, double as lip stains as well for a double treat. The best part is that cheek stains are super easy to use – just dab and blend for a healthy glow!

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#3 Brightening Under Eye Concealer: One makeup item that can never be overlooked, is a brightening under eye concealer. I don’t care if you’re in your early 20’s, chances are your under eye area is in need of some perking up. My favorite under eye concealer formulas are lightweight, provide a bit of coverage and are also BRIGHTENING! If you have severe darkness, opt for a color correcting formula like Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. Moisturizing formulas like Benefit’s Fake Up concealer are great in keeping the under eye area from looking creasy, cakey or dull.

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#4 Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara: Nothing makes a gal look more bright eyes and bushy tailed than a great mascara! This is the one makeup item most of us ladies won’t leave the house without – and for a good reason! Lengthening and volumizing formulas are my personal favorite as there’s nothing worse than spider lashes. My recent fav is Cover Girl’s Clump Crusher. You can layer multiple coats to create your desired level of drama without worrying about clumps! My other holy grail mascara’s are Tarte’s Lights Camera Lashes, Mally Beauty’s Volumizing Mascara and Benefit Cosmetic’s They’re Real mascara.

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#5 The ‘Party Nail’: Sometimes I feel the need to put a little extra pizazz into my manicure. This is where the ‘party nail’ comes in. What’s the party nail you ask? Nothing other than a splash of glitter on the ring finger! Its fun, festive and flirty without being over the top. Its also something you can easily do at home with any bottle of glitter nail varnish.

Ashley Crimaldi

Ashley Crimaldi is a public relations specialist residing in Chicago, IL. Ashley graduated from the University of Missouri in 2010 and has degrees in both Journalism and Women's Studies. In her spare time, Ashley loves to try new beauty products and offer tips, reviews and information to her friends, family and YouTube subscribers. Follow Ashley on Twitter at @MsAtoZBeauty.