I am so happy that spring has decided to show up and show out here in North Carolina. There is something about the warmer air and longer days that makes me want to refresh just about everything — my wardrobe, my home, and yes, my makeup bag. Five years have passed since I last wrote my spring beauty roundup, and a lot has changed! BECCA is gone (never forgotten), clean beauty has taken over the industry, and the dewy, skin-first look I have always loved is officially the look of the moment.
The pendulum has swung firmly back to luminous, glowing skin this season — not shiny or overdone, but what beauty pros are calling a “diffused glow,” like you just walked out of a Pilates class. That is my entire goal rather it is trending or not, honestly. Here are the 7 products I have been reaching for every single day this spring.
This article was originally written in March 2021 and has since been updated and recirculated for March 2026.
Spring Beauty Refresh: 21 Best Makeup and Skin Products to Use Every Day in 2026
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
One of my favorite clean beauty brands is Ursa Major and I picked up this face wash after the esthetician used it in a facial at Aillea. I have struggled to find a face wash that does not dry my already dry skin out, and this one truly lives up to its name. It is, indeed, fantastic! It is a super-fresh, foaming cleansing gel that delivers a deep daily clean without drying out skin. It hydrates and balances, so skin feels soft, comfortable—not tight or dry. It will be a repurchase for me when I run out.
Summer Fridays Jet Lag™ Eye Patches
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask has been one of my OG products in my routine for years now, so I was thrilled when they made eye patches. They are hydrating, nonslip hydrogel eye patches powered by skin-loving ingredients to soothe, moisturize, and depuff the under-eye area. They are great for dark circles and dry under-eyes. My make-up glides on so much smoother after using these, which is an added benefit.
Sephora Collection Moisturizing Cherry Lip Mask
This is not a product that I use every day, though if I have an event where I will be wearing lipstick, I will absolutely break this out. It is a moisturizing lip mask enriched with cherry extract specially designed to hug the natural shape of your lips, leaving lips feeling soft and hydrated in just five minutes. You will have 8 hours of hydrated lips, which is always important to me when wearing a lip color, especially if it is a bright color.
Sephora Collection Overnight Hydrating Dose Masks
While this mask is designed as an overnight mask, it can be used for a 15-minute quick boost of hydration. I have used it both ways and find it helpful both ways. I do use it as part of my skincare routine if I am going to be wearing a full face of make-up for that quick boost of hydration as I often find that using foundation can dry my skin out. I use these brushes to control how much product I use and for better application.
OLEHENRIKSEN Peach Glaze Glow Niacinamide Serum with Vitamin C
One ingredient that has consistently recommended for me to incorporate into my routine is niacinamide so I decided to give this serum a try and I am so glad I did. It instantly brightens and plumps skin with antioxidant-rich hydration for a glazed glow. I often opt for products that will give me a glow without having to use a lot of make-up and this is definitely one of those products that delivers for that look.
Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator
I use this product whether I am going more natural and low maintenance of if I am wearing a full face of make-up. This award-winning versatile illuminator is available in four universal sheer shades that instantly give a glitter-free glow. Its unique gel texture melts into skin and can also be worn alone, mixed into skincare and makeup, or wherever you want skin that glows from within. I usually apply after using this moisturizer.
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
This is one of my holy grail products. I keep the minis in both my purse and my work bag for re-applications throughout the day. This cult beauty favorite gives your skin a sunkissed glow, without the sun damage. Glowscreen provides expert protection plus powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid & niacinamide to mimic the warm radiance your skin gets from being in the sunshine & keep your skin looking luminous year-round. I use the Sunrise shade.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer
This primer is one of the best products I have ever used. It is pricey, so I do not use it daily, though I do find it worth it for how well it keeps my makeup in place and helps hide my imperfections. It is a non-greasy, lightweight makeup primer with light-infused pigments and four nourishing oils that blur imperfections and smooths the look of skin.
PATRICK TA Major Skin Hydra-Luxe Luminous Skin Perfecting Foundation For Natural Glow
This is another recommendation from my friend, Hannah. I was in the market for a new foundation and this one is worth every penny. This formula features Patrick’s favorite ingredients for glow, including three forms of hyaluronic acid and squalane. With a skin-like finish and luminous hydration that lasts for up to eight hours, it is the perfect foundation for normal, dry, and mature skin. I always get self-conscious with how my skin looks after a few hours with foundation on because of how dry my skin is, and this one was the first one I have worn that did not get cake-y.
Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer®
I love a product that can be used in multiple ways and this skin enhancer is one of those that does it all. It can be used on bare skin, over foundation, or over powder. The mistake-proof formula can be used all-over as a skin tint or makeup base or use over foundation or powder to add warmth and a natural sculpt. I use this on days where I am wearing the highlighter + sunscreen for a little coverage without feeling weighed down. I also use it over foundation to do a little sculpting. A little goes a long way and I use the lightest shade, even in the summer.
Givenchy Prisme Libre Illuminating & Color Correcting Loose Powder
When I first wrote this article back in 2021, I was loving BECCA loose powder to set my make-up. When that brand closed, I switched to this and it has been a product I have used ever since. The 4-color loose powder features Prismatic Light™ Technology to set makeup & illuminate skin. The long-wearing, non-comedogenic, dermatologically tested, waterproof & weightless formula has two colors for correction & two for radiance. This is another that I use whether I am doing a low-maintenance look or a full face.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Eye Palette
This eyeshadow palette is one of the prettiest I have found. It is an essential mini eyeshadow collection featuring nine full-pigment shades—from warm-toned neutrals to brilliant golds—in matte and metallic finishes. The full-pigment formula delivers high color payoff and buildable intensity. A little bit goes a long way!
stila Stay All Day® Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner
The perfect line meets the perfect smudge in this ultimate no-budge pencil. This award-winning liner lines, smudges, and blends into a shadow. It’s perfect for adding depth and definition to waterline. Endless play from one go-to pencil that sets in seconds and delivers 12-hour, waterproof, and sweatproof wear. I have been wearing this in various colors for years, though over the past few, I have been using the Lionfish Bronze.
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
I cannot stop talking about this mascara. It has accumulated over 13,000 five-star reviews and 25 industry awards, including WWD Beauty Inc’s Greatest Product of All Time in 2026 and the Allure Readers’ Choice Award in 2025. I stopped getting lash extensions a few years back and have not looked back. This mascara, paired with my favorite lash serum, gives me everything I need. If I am going full-face make-up, I finish with this mascara.
Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Another product that I use regardless of if I am doing a low-maintenance look or full-face is this eyebrow gel. It gives effortless fluffy, face-framing brows with just the right amount of volume with high-pigment yet natural tint, and strong yet flexible hold.
Heritage Store Rosewater Refreshing Facial Mist
I love a rose water spray and this one is one that I have been using for a while now. The price point is great and I use it as part of my morning and evening skin care routine and a setting spray. I also find it helpful when traveling for a little refresh. I do have this one on my wish list, mostly because I love this brand.
Sephora Collection The Total Brush Set
I upgraded my brush set last year during the Sephora sale and have been really pleased with the quality. The Total Brush Set is your go-to set for seamless application of all your makeup products in just one swipe. It contains every brush you will ever need for a full every day or fancy makeup routine from a flawless base to all your go-to eye looks. The assortment is curated with the best of Sephora’s Essential Brushes, to achieve mistake proof makeup results, in half the time. Plus, the sleek black makeup pouch is perfect to take your brushes with you on the go.
OLEHENRIKSEN Glow2OH Exfoliating Dark Spot Toner with Glycolic & Lactic Acid
A friend of mine is one of the most knowledgable people about makeup and skincare, so I reached out and asked her if she had any toner recommendations, especially for dark spots. She recently tried this toner and thought it would work for my skin, and it has been a game changer. I do not use it every night, usually every other, and it has made a world of difference for my fine lines and lingering spots. I alternate nightly with this toner and neither are stripping my already dry skin.
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
I use tretinoin in my night time skincare routine and need extra hydration given how dry my skin naturally is. Using rose hip seed oil has been a huge help for me and I find it especially nice as part of my morning skincare routine post tretinoin use and under make-up for extra hydration.
Abib PDRN Vegan Collagen Lip Mask Glazed Jelly
This lip mask is one of the best that I have tried and is one that I use both overnight and if I have a long day ahead of me. It is a jelly formula that is exceptionally hydrating and yet not too thick or sticky. It comes with a lip applicator and goes on clear. It is a great product and is one that I keep in my make-up bag at all times.
SUNGBOON EDITOR Deep Collagen Power Boosting Overnight Sheet Mask
SUNGBOON EDITOR’s Deep Collagen Power Boosting Mask is a viral K-Beauty overnight collagen sheet mask that gives you radically plumper, brighter, more hydrated skin as you sleep. With over 30x more collagen than other leading brands, it delivers deep hydration while calming and restoring elasticity. I first tried this mask last year for my birthday at Fearrington House Inn and I always stock up when I visit their spa shop. While it can be used for a 20-30 minute hydration boost, I prefer to sleep in it, especially if I have been wearing make-up more consistently or not being as kind to my skin as I try to be.
Shop the Best Spring Beauty Products Here
Final Thoughts
If there is one thing that writing this updated roundup has reinforced for me, it is that the best makeup routine is the one that starts with great skin. So much of what I reach for every day now lives in that blurry, beautiful space between skincare and makeup — the serums that add glow, the tints that treat, the masks that mean my foundation actually has something good to work with.
Five years ago I was layering concealer over tired skin and hoping for the best. Now I am spending more time and intention on what goes on before the makeup, and the difference is genuinely remarkable. If you take nothing else away from this list, let it be this: hydrate first, glow second, and never underestimate a good overnight mask.
As always, I would love to hear what you are loving this season. Whether you have been loyal to a product for years or just discovered something new, drop it in the comments — my skincare shelf is always open to new additions.
