Ladies, it's time to face up to softer, more subtle makeup this spring.

Colors whisper with just enough pop to look fresh. Bronzed skin glows. Lips shimmer with a hint of peach or pink. Reds go sheer. Lashes still rule, and a smoky eye comes from lavender or green rather than black.

Pretty pastels such as turquoise and mint green are a welcome change from winter's darker hues.

"Don't be afraid of it," said Lilly Stone of Sooo Lilly Cosmetics. "It makes the eyes sparkle. The colors are very subtle. It gives a nice, playful feel. We've had such a long stretch of winter, and spring makeup is very feminine, almost innocent, and playful ... especially with a pop of color in the gloss and the lipstick. It's still soft and pretty, not gaudy. It is fresh and just announces spring."

Look to your Easter basket for inspiration.

For lips, pink, coral and peach are standouts. Some might consider coral a favorite at the retirement center, but an infusion of shimmer or pink makes it look fresh and modern for spring. Think pink corals, nude corals and bare corals, said Jennifer Gordon, cosmetics manager for Balliet's.

Pinks take on more nude hues, too, so kiss Barbie pink goodbye. If you want a pink that pops, pucker up to bright, sheer gloss.

"When in doubt, go with a bright pink lip gloss," Gordon said. "It always lifts the face, always looks good, no matter your age. Sheer texture keeps it timeless and classic, and gives your face energy, whether you have full makeup on or no makeup."

She likes bright pink sheer gloss on the lips with translucent shimmer on the eyes or a hint of pink shine on the lips with a soft smoky eye.

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