By definition, spring is a rebirth – a time for coming into your own and starting fresh. It’s also my favorite time of year. So what kinds of things can you begin again as we bid a cold farewell to winter and a say a warm hello to spring?

Maybe spring is the time when you decide to revamp or start a new career. During tough times, it’s good to know that beauty careers are always in demand. If you really think about it, would you ever cut your own hair? I know I wouldn’t. I do my own nails from time to time and tweeze my eyebrows, but there are lots of girls out there who can’t do these things and really want a professional to keep them fresh. It’s not out of pampering; it’s out of necessity. And, like I’ve said before, there have been surveys conducted that state women would rather give up lots of other things before they would sacrifice their beauty products and treatments in a down economy.

But enough of the negative; let’s look at the positive! Some trends that we’ll see from beauty professionals (and even the non-pros) performing this spring include:

Hair – don’t hide your face. Instead, try to keep your hair swept up to show your pretty facial features. And if you want to wear your hair down, loose waves are always nice and flowy. Basically, your hair should look ethereal and delicate.

Makeup – make eyes bright and fun during this spring season with shades of lilac and other shimmery shadows. Switch up your black eyeliner for a less harsh violet or sparkly one that will make your eyes shine. In fact, @TravelingAnna suggests white eyeliner for all you daring beauty gals out there.

Skin care – the natural look is in, according to most runway fashion shows this season. Try to use a natural-looking foundation and don’t go too heavy on the bronzer. Orange does not equal natural.

Nails – use bright pinks to accentuate your nails this spring, channeling beautiful new flowers in bloom!

Those are just a few of the fun spring trends for 2009. Whether you decide on a beauty or spa career for the new season or just a revamping of your beauty routine, take advantage of the new season we’re moving into! It’s the best time of year!

What are some of YOUR favorites?

-Amanda Fornecker

“Researchers found that 63 percent of women reckon they will have to cut back on the amount of money they spend on themselves in 2009.

Around 62 percent would rather stop spending money on clothes than sacrifice their favourite beauty products.

More than four in 10 would prefer to cut down on their gas and electric bills so they can still afford their beauty essentials.”

These words come from a Telegraph article about top beauty products. I think all of these statements are very true. Yes, we’re in a recession so where do we cut corners? I don’t think I can let my face go.

Vaseline was named the top product that women can’t live without. I think that that’s interesting and definitely makes sense. So many people I know are completely obsessed with using some type of lip balm so that their lips are nice and moist. This is especially true in the winter and the tanning summer months. Who wants dry, chapped lips?

This survey seems to mean one thing to me. The beauty industry will continue to grow and flourish during these tough recession times. Women don’t want to give up feeling beautiful and are willing to sacrifice turning on a light in their house so they can still pick up their favorite moisturizer. That says a lot for the beauty industry.

Welcome to 2009 – a year to start over and begin a new journey. Might that journey include a new beauty career? There’s no time like the present to get things done so be sure to look into your options soon!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!!

-Amanda Fornecker