Nordstrom’s Beauty Director Says These Are the Top 5 Spring Trends to Shop

Spring is in full swing, and while it’s been nice shedding my heavier layerables, I want to be intentional with my seasonal picks. So, I’ve been turning toward the experts to guide me on what’s actually worth buying. I started my research with Nordstrom’s fashion director Rickie De Sole, who gave me her predictions on the hottest spring trends; now, I’m tapping Autumne West, Nordstrom’s beauty director, for all things makeup, skincare, and haircare.

West educates and cultivates beauty experiences for the Nordstrom customer, so a big part of her role is staying on top of trends. This spring, she predicts that shoppers will be leaning toward multi-purpose beauty products that are great for travel, lightweight water or gel-based face creams, smoothing and wrinkle-reducing body lotions, floral and vanilla fragrances, and scalp and hair treatments for healthy tresses.

To revamp your beauty routine, we rounded up a few products from Nordstrom below that you can shop now.

Lightweight Water-Based and Gel Face Creams:

Dew Your Thing Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer TULA Skincare — NORDSTROM

Buy on Nordstrom$48

In the winter months, our skin needs heavier creams to combat cold weather and drying winds, but during the warmer months, it requires the opposite. West expects water-gel creams to be on the rise because they’re “supremely hydrating” and lightweight, offering an “effortless and healthy glow” that’ll play well with your other skincare and sunscreens.

Among her suggestions are Goop’s 72-Hour Supercharged Hydrating Water-Cream, which brightens and restores the skin’s barrier, Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Water Cream Gel Moisturizer, which visibly evens the skin’s tone and texture, and La Mer’s Moisturizing Fresh Cream for a more luxe anti-aging option. My personal favorites are Tula’s Dew Your Thing Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturizer because it’s infused with rice water to improve skin’s firmness and Humanrace’s Mystifying Gel Moisturizer because of its lightweight texture.

Scalp and Hair Treatments:

Nordstrom Thickening Tonic Aveda — NORDSTROM

Buy on Nordstrom$37

Achieving happy and healthy hair is the goal all year-round, but in summer, heat and humidity can take a toll on strands. To have your scalp and strands at their prime, West recommends implementing “scalp and hair treatments” into your hair care routine “to protect and enhance your natural locks.” She suggested a good clarifying rinse from Rizos Curls to remove buildup, Davines’ leave-in spray to detangle and control frizz, and Bumble and Bumble’s Bond-Building Repair Hair Oil Serum to strengthen. And if you’re looking for that Hollywood volume, I recommend Aveda’s Thickening Tonic, while Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil repairs damage and seals split ends.

Anti-Aging Body Lotions:

Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream — NORDSTROM

Buy on Nordstrom$42

True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Body Lotion, $68
Kopari Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream, $42
54 Thrones Barrier Repair Cloud Body Cream, $22
Nécessaire Body Retinol, $55
Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm, $20

Similar to adjusting your skincare routine for the seasonal shift, West says “body skincare is [just as] important for… moisturizing, as well as smoothing and reducing lines.” West says you can do just that by picking up Osea’s Anti-Aging Body Balm, which is also my spring go-to for its unique use of alaria esculenta seaweed, which improves skin elasticity and firms for more youthful-looking skin.

She also suggested 54 Thrones Barrier Repair Cloud Body Cream for its non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that leaves a healthy glow and True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Body Lotion thanks to its plant-based ceramides and lactic acid that reduce the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. And for more retinol body lotions that target signs of aging, I suggest Kopari’s Ultra Renewal Retinol Body Cream for its lightweight and gentle formula that can be used daily and Nécessaire’s Body Retinol for less frequent use at night.

2-in-1 Beauty Products:

Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50 — NORDSTROM

Buy on Nordstrom$44

I have a few trips slated for spring and summer and am a known over-packer. So to pair down on products, I’ll be using West’s top spring beauty hack: shopping “makeup items that can be used multiple ways.” She says, “a pretty pink that can be used on your lips, eyes, and cheeks is all you need for the ‘less is more’ beauty look.” West suggests Kaja’s Dewy Bar Blush and Lip Balm, while I prefer Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick because they both come in a wide range of pinks and reds perfect for any complexion and can be swiped on quickly with its easy-to-apply tube design for a flush of color.

Blush and lipstick aren’t the only beauty products you can combine; tinted sunscreens like the Supergoop! Protectint Daily SPF and Beauty Bio Illuminizing Blendrops Broad Spectrum Drops offer all the goodness of your favorite moisturizer and sunscreen, while leaving skin looking filter-like and glowing without weighing down your skin.

Floral and Vanilla Fragrance:

Delina Eau de Parfum Parfums de Marly — NORDSTROM

Buy on Nordstrom$385

IMO, florals for spring are, in fact, groundbreaking, and apparently, they are for West, too. She’s been reaching for “fresh, floral scents” but with a twist — like with vanilla notes for a combination that’s “light and not overly sweet.” Don’t know where to start? Our expert recommends floral-vanilla fragrances like Maison Francis Kurkdijan’s Gentle Fluidity — which also includes spice and musk — Valentino’s Born in Roma Donna Green Stravaganza with top notes of tea that dry down to its sustainably sourced vanilla, and Armani Beauty’s My Way Nectar with a more fruit-forward profile that settles on the skin as a bourbon vanilla.

My picks with a similar scent profile are Parfums de Marly Delina, which isn’t overbearing on the skin and includes lychee, rose, vanilla, and peony, and Kilian’s Paris Sunkissed Goddess Perfume, which opens with creamy white tiara flowers and leads into warm coconut and vanilla.