Heavy makeup, thick 1960s lashes and dark, caked-on makeup are left behind this spring, said professional makeup artist Beth Cocuzzi.

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This spring, it's all about a very minimal eye and a focus on skincare, creating a healthy look.

The key to the new spring look is to play down what you place on your face.

Prepare Your Blank Slate

To get great skin, start with the basics, suggests professional makeup artist Leslie Snyder. Make sure you've set up a good skincare routine, healthy diet and exercise plan.

Having shiny shin was in last spring, but it's a definite out for 2008.

"This year, with foundation, you want a matted look, not a shiny all over look on your face," Cocuzzi said. "Save the glow for the cheeks."

A good foundation will not only protect your skin, but it will also give you a more even skin tone.

Remember to adjust your shade as well. Change your foundation to a shade darker as your skin tans from the sun or sunless tanning.

Cocuzzi said tans are in with spring, but not Barbie doll type tans. Keep your color to a fresh glow of the skin -- whether you use a fresh spray tan, self-tanner or get a light, sunkissed tan.

Snyder does not condone a tanning bed in any way. She recommends using a good quality self-tanner if you desire color. "They all use the same chemical to tan, but the difference is in the dyes and other ingredients used," she said. "That is why some leave you orange."

Be careful on your face. "Do a patch test on side of neck to make sure is safe for you," she said. "The skin on the face is very different than the body, so be careful there."

Keeping It Simple

Keeping your eye makeup less drastic is the way to go, Cocuzzi said.

With the focus on minimal eyes, lighter shades like bronze, purples, apricots and greens are making a comeback.

Blue is also a spring trend for eyes and Cocuzzi said anyone could pull it off -- if you find the right shade to compliment your skin and you apply it correctly.

"You do not want to cake it on," she said. "Everyone wants to avoid the 80s look."

Snyder warns against using blue without complimentary colors and applying it all over the lid, to avoid the dark, overdone look.

Try using a mixing product or water and mixing with other shades like a darker lavender or medium brown. Mix colors on a flat liner brush and apply new color to lash line. Smudge slightly with a cotton swab to your desired thickness, Snyder suggests.

"If you mix the blues with other tones correctly, anyone can wear it," she said.

Browsing

Don't neglect your brows. Make sure they are shaped properly and enhanced with a brow powder that matches.

"Eyebrows are the most important feature on the face for everyone," Snyder said. "We should all follow natures guideline to shape them instead of trying to copy a form or someone elses."

"Eyebrows should be more full and very clean not bushy or pencil thin," Cocuzzi said.

Mascara should also follow suit and be light, clean and soft. Consider a soft brown mascara, applying it only to the upper lashes. Save voluptuous, thick lashes for nighttime.

Rosy Tones

Pink is also a color that is always great for spring.

"A great pink on your cheeks give your skin a flushed or dewy look that makes your skin look fabulous," Cocuzzi said.

But pink can also be done wrong. Those with a lot of red in their skin or fair skin should pay special attention to evening out skin tone and choosing the right shade.

No matter what your skin tone is, don't go overboard and cover your face in pink.

"It doesn't have to be applied like your face fell in a bowl of candy," Cocuzzi said. "It is all about blending and coordinating with that cute outfit you just bought."

Don't be afraid to mix it with other tones, like a soft tawny color or peach, to cut the pink a bit, Snyder said.

Cheeks and lips should be in the same color family as well.

The natural, flushed look is great for cheeks. Cocuzzi recommends O-Glow from Smashbox, applied on the apples of your cheeks.

Stick with softer blushes like pale apricot, peaches and cream tones to brighten and contour for a more natural and healthier no-makeup look, Snyder said.

The Rules Of Red

Cocuzzi said red lips are also a trend sticking around again for spring. "It's glamorous and the ladies love it."

Snyder also thinks red lips are a trend that never left.

"I think people just got smarter about who can wear it and who shouldn't," she said, adding that people should ask an experts to ensure they choose the right red for them. You can try mixing in one of your own paler shades to find the look that suits you. But if it it's bright, save it for night.

Cocuzzi said if you have fairer skin, go toward the cooler tones of reds. If you have warmer skin, such as olive-colored, go towards orange or red shades.

The one spring rule when it comes to red lips is to keep it makeup on the eyes light.

"Generally you want to 'pick a star' to play up the most," Snyder said. "If it is red lips you want then you won't want to do too much makeup on the eye or you will have overdone it."

Recycle Your Winter Stash

Even though metallics were big in 2007, Snyder said there is a way to bring them into spring.

Cocuzzi said they are great for the eyes at night times. She suggests skipping the dark black and pewter shadows and stick with a metallics and shimmer for your nights out.

"You can always use metallic if you don't overdo it," Snyder said. Glitter products are great placed softly on top of other shadows and placed sparingly on brow bones to make eyes look less puffy.

Even though color trends have gone lighter, don't go tossing your winter stash of grays and blacks.

Mixing your colors and experimenting can help transition your winter colors into the light spring look.

"You don't need to get rid of anything," Snyder said. "Simply mix darker, heavier pigments with lighter ones, or save the heavier, darker for the special night dancing at the club." More Resources

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