Interview: Petra Strand
Awaken your look this spring
Looking to transition your makeup essentials from winter to spring? We asked Target Beauty design partner Petra Strand about the best products, trends and tips for women so you can be in the know about what’s hot this spring!
She Knows: What are your favorite makeup trends this spring?
Petra Strand: I love that the traditional black smoky eye look is seeing some color variations. Jewel tones look fresh and new. My Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in Copper Glow is new for spring and shows that color can be both natural and exciting, drawing attention to the eyes and making them brighter and more awake.
For lips, I love a pop of color to brighten the face this spring. The Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Rosy Red is flying out of our London store this spring. It provides the perfect mix of rose-tinted lips with a hint of red undertone. It also looks great on cheeks!
SK: If you had to recommend a new popular product, what would it be?
PS: The BB Cream trend here in the U.S. is a bit confusing for customers as there is such a varied range of quality available out there. I recommend really studying the ingredients listings to get the best value and to see what will work best for your skin. Our Pixi Illuminating Tint & Conceal has been our most popular multitasker for many years and, in a way, was one of the original BB Creams, except we included the concealer!
SK: What products can women use to achieve a soft and effortless look?
PS: You can look polished and put together with six products, that’s all you need — especially if you use multitasking products!
- Tinted moisturizer and concealer
- Mascara
- Cheek gel
- Tinted lip gloss
- Eye pencil
- Eyelash curler
SK: Are there any new products in your line that could spice up someone’s makeup collection?
PS: The EXTRA Eye Bright Liner is new for spring, and is my secret weapon to looking refreshed in an instant. Line inner bottom rim with this lavender-tinted pencil, which deflects the red in eyes and makes anyone look more awake immediately.
The Endless Silky Eye Pen in Copper Glow is also a great alternative to the normal black or brown eye liner that most women use. It’s the perfect “new neutral.”
SK: What is your favorite shade of lipstick this spring?
PS: For a spring holiday, I take the Pixi Succulent Lip Twin in Pink Peony and use as my cheek and lip color. The shade looks fantastic with a tan! For evening, I like a lip stain as it is low maintenance and doesn’t require reapplication all evening. Pixi Lip Blush in Youth is my favorite!
SK: How do you still go bold with your spring makeup and not look like you’re stuck in the fall/winter trends?
PS: The best way to go bold for spring is to choose seasonally appropriate shades. Bright corals in all variations look fresh for spring — the Pixi Nail Colour Summer Sunset in my spring collection is a great option for women who want to ease into the trend. For a more natural look, seashell pinks and bronze are always great for spring. They add just a hint of color to awaken the face and bring out women’s natural beauty.
SK: Why has coconut water become a popular beauty product ingredient?
PS: Women in tropical climates have used coconut water in their skin care routine for centuries. It helps create lysine, which is an important ingredient in the formation of collagen, hence a great anti-aging ingredient.
Coconut water also hydrates inside and out. Drinking it every day enhances hydration and blood circulation, which puts the “glow” on your face. Using it on the skin does the same thing. I like the new Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes.
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