CoverGirl

There are plenty of new pastel polishes available for Spring, and what better time than Easter try a floral design that features these soft-hued shades? This daisy design gives you a pretty look for Spring, and it's a lot easier to create than it seems. After applying a base coat, paint your nails in a pastel green shade. I used two coats of L'Oréal Nail Colour in Pistachio Dream ($6 at drugstores). Next, using the tip of a pencil, dot on a white polish, such as CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Snow Storm ($6), to create the five petals of a daisy. After you've created the five dots, go back and use a pencil tip to dab on the yellow center of the flower. I used Chanel Le Vernis in Mimosa ($27). You can also use different pastel polishes, like L'Oréal Nail Colour in The Palace Life ($6 at drugstores), to form different-colored flowers, too. Not only does the random placement of flowers keep the look fresh, but it also makes it even easier to do.

The statuesque Australian DJ duo Nervo are making major waves in the music and beauty scene. They're the newest faces of CoverGirl, and while there are other pop stars with the coveted title, twins Liv and Mim Nervo are the first faces from the electronic dance music (EDM) scene to represent the brand. "We're still pinching ourselves. It's incredible," Liv said of the honor. "It means we're joining the long list of ladies who are leading the way of individuality, being confident in your own skin, and feeling beautiful," Mim added.

To learn more about these beauties, read on.

When CoverGirl Clump Crusher ($7 at drugstores) arrived, it had a high bias to surmount. Claiming to stave off clumps even after 30 strokes and create 200 percent more volume, this mascara is the latest addition to the iconic LashBlast line. Well, it works. The clump-crushing happens through the brush, which has closely spaced bristles that won't allow clumps to form. Lashes were perfectly separated, not spidery after about 35 strokes (and three dips into the tube). This formula is perfect for the mascara beginner who doesn't care to use special tricks to achieve lengthy and full lashes. Experts will love it, too.

Finding the perfect makeup match for your skin tone usually involves a) a pushy saleslady, b) a well-decorated wrist, c) endless frustration, or d) all of the above. Well, puzzle no more—COVERGIRL^® Queen Collection has got you, well…covered, with a precise color-matching tool and a range of expertly matched shades to match almost every complexion.

Darker skin tones get the royal treatment with COVERGIRL^® Queen Collection, inspired by Queen Latifah herself. For a star-powered look, try the lasting dramatic intensity of COVERGIRL^® Queen Collection Vivid Impact Eyeliner, available in six vivid shades that will get you noticed. Follow up with COVERGIRL^® Queen Collection Lash Fanatic Mascara to complement your natural beauty with up to 4X the look of more lashes.*

Learn more about COVERGIRL^® Queen Collection by checking out covergirl.com/queencollection to find the right shades to enhance your skin tone.

^{*vs. bare lashes}

Just last week, CoverGirl named Pink its latest spokeswoman, and now the beauty brand is adding another alluringly cool songstress into the mix: Janelle Monáe. Her superlative style and high-energy performances make her a gem on the CoverGirl lineup, which also includes stars such as Sofia Vergara, Queen Latifah, and Drew Barrymore.

"One of my core values is to help redefine what it means to be a strong and beautiful woman in the music and fashion worlds and to empower the wonderful things that make us unique," Janelle said. "Becoming a CoverGirl is truly an honor and a gift: it opens up a new platform for me to inspire women to feel stronger, braver, and more beautiful inside and out." For CoverGirl, the feeling is mutual. "Janelle is a true force of energy and a beautiful spirit who truly delights in her creative journey, not just the destination," said the brand's VP and general manager, Esi Eggleston Bracey.

Janelle's new ad will debut in Vogue's September issue, out next week. But until then, get a sneak peek of Janelle behind the scenes with the beauty brand, where she even does her own rendition of the classic CoverGirl jingle.

Photo courtesy of CoverGirl

If you're hoping to avoid that cakey makeup look that comes from applying powder five times daily, then reach for CoverGirl's Lasting Matte Pressed Powder ($6). Part of the brand's Queen collection, this compact comes in six brown shades created specifically for darker-skinned women. That means no more ashen white finish to your foundation that comes from miscolored powder. After swiping this silken, sheer powder on with the included pouf before work, there were no shine issues to be had all day (and that's after walking 20 city blocks). The best part about this product is that unlike some pressed powders, your makeup will remain light, not suffocating, after application. Sweltering Summer heat with a side of humidity in your forecast? Bring it on.