Out With The Old

By Anne Marie Scanlon

Spring Collections. They're all the same aren't they? Overpriced, unobtainable and designed for someone who isn't you. Well maybe that's true of the fashion collections. The new make up collections though are a different story entirely. You can indulge in a little retail therapy while simultaneously brightening up the dull winter days and best of all you won't have to re-mortgage the family home to do so.

When it comes to value for money you'd be hard pushed to beat Cover Girl and their Spring Forecast Color Collection is no exception. The colors alone - pinks, mauves, blues and greens will keep you cheery until the longer evenings arrive. They might even keep you cheery when the credit card statement detailing the pre-holiday spending orgy arrives.

Like all good collections, whether fashion or make up, there's a good mix of updated old favorites and some entirely new surprises. The entirely new element of the Cover Girl collection is embodied by the Wetslicks "SpringSlicks" ($4.99) which feature two Wetslicks' colors in one tube. The brand new SpringSlicks come in six shades Coral Belle, Peach Blossom, Rose Petals, Silk Rose, Very Mulberry and Wild Rose - all of which are limited. These new lippies are also moisturizing which is good news for winter chapped lips.

The ever-popular Eye Enhancer 1- Kit Shadows ($2.94) has three new limited "Spring Forecast" shades - Bluebell Bloom, Spring Mist and Subtle Sage which are light pastel shades in keeping with the arrival of spring. The collection also includes TruShine Lipcolor ($5.99) a high shine sheer lip color in 12 shades; LashExact Mascara ($6.99) which provides clump-free application and comes in Very Black and Black Brown as does VolumeExact Mascara ($6.99) which does just as the label says and builds up the appearance of lash volume.

Clinique are looking forward to Spring with their new Fresh Bloom Colour Collection which celebrates seasonal spring flowers and promises 'maximum impact with minimal effect'. At the heart of the collection is the brand new Fresh Bloom Allover Colour which comes in four shades - Peony, Posy, Almond Blossom and Plum Poppy. This compact reminds me of my grandmother. Let me explain, it's not that its old fashioned, my Granny often got presents that she deemed 'too good to use', they were put aside and occasionally taken out and admired. With the Fresh Bloom Allover Colour it's a temptation to do the same as it is just so pretty. However it would be a terrible shame not to use it as it so nice. Also it is for a limited time only so stock up.

Kohl Shaper for Eyes in Blackened Taupe & Black Amethyst and Naturally Glossy Mascara (Jet Black) complete the eye section of the collection. The Kohl Shaper is one of the better eyeliners on the market at the moment and comes with a very handy sharpener built into the cap.

Keep lips shiny for spring with Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in six different shades, one of which (First Love) is limited for Spring only. For a fuller look to lips try Clinique Full Potential Lips which comes in six shades - three limited (Double Plum, Pink Aplenty and Toffee Boost).

The Fresh Bloom collection also contains a new scent for spring the limited edition Happy In Bloom a fresh, floral fragrance that has notes of yellow plum, white freesia and mimosa. Hmmm, sounds perfect for wafting through the warmer days that lie ahead.

Check out their new Ultra Color Rich Lipstick Sheers ($6.50) which contain Vitamin E and jojoba oil to help hydrate lips and seal in moisture for smoother lips. These new lipsticks also contain a 'color lock system' to hold color in place and come in four shades - Sheer Peach Champagne, Sheer Sangria, Sheer Rose and Sheer Coral Crush. Or you could try the new Glazewear Extreme Lip Gloss ($6.00) a limited edition which comes in Peach Champagne, Sangria Rose and Coral Crush. This gloss contains Vitamins A, C and E to moisturize as well as a ceramide/soybean extract to boost the lips natural ability to retain moisture. Jillian recommends going for a layered look. "First, apply lipstick in a deeper shade and then blot until you only have a residue of the color. Pout and apply the gloss to the center of your lips for dimensional color with extreme shine." For eyes the Avon Spring Style 2007 Sheer Collection has New True Color Eyeshadow Quads ($7.00). The quads come in two color palettes - Sandy Corals and Washed Khaki which contain long-lasting silky shadows that won't fade, crease or smudge. Jillian advises that you use the paler shades as base and highlighter while using the darker shades to contour and accent.

Regular readers know that lips aren't properly 'done' unless you've used a lip liner. A liner performs a myriad of different jobs by keeping lipstick in place, stops color bleeding into fine lines around the mouth (very aging!), defines lips and makes lips look fuller. The Avon Color Ultra Luxury Lip Liner ($5.00) comes in nine shades - Brick, Neutral, True Red, Rosebud, Deep Plum, Baby Pink, Wild Berry, Shimmer Mauve and Chocolate.

Rimmel London has a few choice items coming to shelves this spring. Check out the brand new Eye Magnifier ($6.75) mascara which lifts and lengthens lashes by up to 70%. The applicator contains both thin short bristles for volume and thick long bristles for separation. Eye Magnifier comes in three shades - Extreme Black, Black and Brown. Rimmel are also introducing the Cool Matte 16Hr Mousse Foundation ($8.05) an oil-free and ph balanced light formula (guess the clue would be in the name) which leaves skin looking matte but fresh for up to 16 hours. There are ten shades to choose from - Ivory, Porcelain, True Ivory, Soft Beige, Classic Beige, Nude, Warm Honey, Sandy, True Nude and Natural Beige, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem matching to your skin tone. For lips Rimmel introduce New Cool Shine Lipstick ($5.90), a brand new formula made with 25% purified water. The formula for this new lippie is gel-based, contains virtually no wax and comes in 12 suitably named shades - Burst, Quench, Shine On, Spritz, Soak, Brill, Plunge Vigour, Fresh, Splash, Drench and Cool. Oooh, I suddenly feel the urge to go for a swim!

Model Iman may be best known as the spouse of rock star David Bowie but make up mavens know her better for the line of cosmetics she founded in 1994 - IMAN Cosmetics, Skin Care and Fragrances. Bowie recently turned 60 and shows no signs of slowing down; a trait shared by both is wife and the company she founded. IMAN cosmetics head into the company's thirteenth year with the Spring 2007 Private Romance Color Story a collection that focuses on soft roses and pinks. Get the IMAN look with Luxury Lip Stains ($8.99) and the wonderful Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder ($13.99).