By Becca Shrimpton

Take note from the s/s runways and latest celebrity style to achieve the look of the moment. This season, it’s easy to exude major on-trend beauty with a mix of hard and soft; toning it down in some areas and amping it up in others. It’s this marriage of contrasts that are so choice for spring.

Big Braid
A side swept, loose, oversized braid is so appropriate as the warmer weather hits. As seen on Nicole Richie and Christina Hendricks , and on the runways of Alexander Wang and Miu Miu, this over-the-shoulder look requires you leave your hair pretty much in its natural condition and let pieces naturally fall out. So low-maintenance, touch-ups are hardly required.

Bright Nails
Nude nails aren’t totally out of the picture, but now the thing to do is draw attention to yourself with look-at-me-nails that give a super powerful hit of colour. You can go with a bright or neon hue of whatever you’re into, like the intense candy green seen on Brittany Gerena and Nina Dobrev. Bonus points for a polish with glitter.

Pastel Shadow vs. Winged Out Liner
This is an either/or situation to bring major attention to your eyes. You can go the route of Derek Lam and Versace using sweet sorbet shades of shadow that are soft and sheer, or Oscar De La Renta and red-carpet ready Olivia Wilde with a sweep of liquid liner that wings out for a bold approach. Either way, you’ll have a reason to bat your lashes.

Nude Lip
Tone down your lips with a taupe or skin-toned lipstick for a way sexy pout. Worn by the likes of MK Olsen and Sandra Bullock and seen on the runways of Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Versace, this simple and clean look is out of control pretty.

Sparkle Sparkle
Glitter is being seen a lot on the runway (see: Prada), and on the more playful of celebs. Lightly dust some on your eyes to catch the sunlight or get creative and dab some on your lips for a wicked nighttime style. This sparkle can also be found in the polishes of the season, like OPI’s Alice in Wonderland Collection. The fun thing about this trend is you can interpret it however you want.