Spring has finally arrived, which means three things: the daffodils are out, my dogs are tracking mud through my house and my skin is emerging from winter looking like its just completed a long, emotionally challenging hibernation.

I always crave simplicity, with makeup and life in general!...Every year I tell myself I'll try and glide into Spring looking and feeling fresher, like one of those women on the skincare ads who splash water on their faces in slow motion. In reality, I am usually still clutching my Facial oil like a security blanket while my skin tries to remember how daylight works.

But Spring is the season of hope and optimism, and lighter layers, for both clothes and skincare.

I love focusing on my wellbeing behind the scenes, protecting my energy, building more gentle routines and being more mindful about what I put on my skin, (and what I expect from myself).

Here's what I've actually been doing and the products I keep reaching for, the ones that have rescued my face from winter and gently persuading it to look a bit more alive.

SKIN: The "Please wake up my skin" cleanser -

Right now I am loving Boots Oat Cleansing balm, (£9.90). It contains oat oil to soothe, hydrate and moisturise my skin and it also supports the skin barrier. It helps my skin look lovely and dewy. It is also 100% vegan. I use it with a white microfibre cloth and I find this very gentle for eye makeup removal too. It doesn't leave your skin feeling like you have washed it with soap or washing up liquid. The goal is clean, not squeaky. If your face feels like a dinner plate afterwards, you have gone too far.

Toner - the "Please polish my skin" product -

I used to just splash my face with cold water after cleansing, which is fine if you have young and smooth skin, but as I have got older my skin deserves and needs more time and care. I love using acids, they sound brutal but in fact, they are very gentle and one of the best things we can do for our skin. I love Paula's choice 2 % BHA Liquid exfoliant and I also alternate this by using a Paula's choice 6% Mandelic acid and 2% Lactic acid, AHA Liquid exfoliant, (£29.75 - 88ml). This gently tones and exfoliates, I can use it twice a day. Mandelic acid is the gentlest AHA and Lactic acid is derived from milk, (or lab made). It also helps with fine lines and discolouration. The BHA I use if my skin decides to have a little breakout or if I wanted to go a bit more intensive with exfoliation. I can always see the difference after using an acid, so I highly recommend this step.

Next come serums (Hydration hero) - Hado Labo Super Hydrator lotion, (£18.99 from good old Superdrug, 150ml) - is a light lotion that absorbs easily and has 7 types of Hyaluronic acid in so helps to retain moisture in the skin, (I sometimes mix a few Beauty Pie Bronzing drops into this too and TOP TIP - also use the serum as an eye cream before makeup, to really boost hydration). Think of it as a tall glass of water for your face.

Next I sometimes layer the Medik8 C-Tetra Vitamin C serum, (£45, 30 ml). This helps to brighten my skin and helps with any pigmentation. Great for sensitive skin and also has jojoba seed oil in to nourish, so a lovely texture too.

My TLC Organic Super Nutrient Facial elixir, (£35, 50ml). Perfect for nourishing, calming, restoring and feels luxurious. I use this morning and evening. After the lengthy process of registering this product and having it professionally tested, I realise how important natural oils are for our skin. It isn't greasy but sinks into skin beautifully giving a lovely glow.

Available exclusively via my Online store https://tinabrocklebank.co.uk/online-store/ or in studio.

I always finish off my skincare with SPF, my current favourite is from Cerave -

I love yoga as it helps me to be present and I love doing my skincare for this reason too! What I am not doing?...layering five actives, over-exfoliating (or chasing perfection! I am doing it all for myself, no-one else).

LIMITED EDITION! - I have made up a limited amount of these new Gift box sets. Above, my Organic TLC Facial oil and New Travel set with double layer makeup case = £125, (Gift voucher optional, for a Makeup lesson or Special occasion makeup.) A gorgeous gift for yourself or a loved one.

Email me to purchase - tina@tinabrocklebank.co.uk

MAKEUP:

You know my approach to makeup is less is more, and I will always lean into that. Skin always needs to look like skin, not matte, flat or dull. Less powder, more cream textures and strategic glow...and never underestimate the power of a bright lipstick at this time of the year, when some days can be a bit grey and dull. This one below is from Lisa Eldridge, (£27 - Skyscraper rose) - https://www.lisaeldridge.com/products/skyscraper-rose-insanely-saturated-lip-colour

Spring makeup should feel easy. Fresh skin, a bit of glow and the general impression that you woke up looking like this, (even though several products were used!) Spring beauty isn't about reinventing everything, to me its about lightening up and adding a bit of warmth and glow.

My current five-minute face looks like this - A skin serum tint to even things out and a creamy highlighter to add a slightly smug, subtle glow. Not the disco-ball variety - I'm talking about the kind that makes people say, "Your skin looks good" instead of "Why is your cheekbone reflecting sunlight into my eyes?"

A creamy concealer that erases the evidence of being a bit on the knackered side.

A cream blush for that "I just came in from a brisk Spring walk" effect.

Mascara, eyeshadow and liner because without it, I look like I have misplaced my eyes.

A liquid lipstick and brightening gloss that makes me look and feel so much better. DONE.

Trinny London Mustique Trinity Lip, cheek and eye stick. Beauty Pie Super luminous under eye genius. Trinny London Miracle Blur. Huda Beauty Faux Filter concealer. Lancome Skin Idole Serum foundation. YSL Touche eclait. L'Oreal Lumin Le Glass stick. Jones Road Beauty Facial shimmer oil. NYX Warm neutrals eyeshadow palette. Kat Von D Tattoo eyeliner pen. Beauty Pie Pro liner in Turkish coffee. L'Oreal, Panorama mascara. Ciate Dewy blush. MAC Locked Kiss liquid lipstick in Mischief, and MAC lip pencil in Cool spice. Beauty Pie Wonder gloss collagen lip oil in Nude nectar. (Brows - I am loving the ELF brow pencils, they seem to be superior to anything else I have tried, and I have tried so many!!).

TOP TIP - Get yourself to Aldi, there are some great makeup dupes in there! I love their brightening concealers! I am also loving the RIMMEL Multi Tasker - it gives my skin that lovely glow, if I am feeling (and looking) a bit crap...

The bigger picture - What's changed most isn't the products - it's my mindset. I am not trying to look 30, I am not trying to fix every line, I am not chasing every overpriced launch. I am choosing what works for me, editing ruthlessly and prioritising how I feel...and that has transformed everything. If you are feeling a similar pull towards simplicity, let this be your permission slip, you don't need more, you need better.

Of course, none of these products can guarantee perfect Spring skin. There are still mornings when my face looks like it didn't get the memo about glow and radiance, but with a bit of TLC, definition and a pop of colour I can usually fake it convincingly, (but if all else fails, there are always sunglasses). Also, let's remind ourselves that getting the lighting bang on and a good camera angle for any selfies is key too. Sometimes the secret to glowing skin is great skincare...and occasionally standing near a window. You can't beat natural daylight. I will never be one of those women who are effortlessly glowing...I do have to invest time and effort into myself. Either way, I am calling it Spring glow and nobody needs to know how much concealer was involved.

So, thats my Spring beauty line-up: nourishing skincare, fresher and lighter makeup and a determined attempt to look like I've spent the Winter somewhere sunny instead of under a blanket.

I'd love to know what you are using (and loving) right now. I am always testing, but the recommendations from this community are often the best ones. Thank you for subscribing and reading my blog. I would love to hear from you! email me tina@tinabrocklebank.co.uk

With love, Tina x