If you’ve downloaded your Spring 2012 issue of RWH iPad magazine, you may have noticed a trend. Boring, neutral lips are on the outs in favor of big time bright and bold colors. Here Makeup Artist Reiva Cruz, who designed the looks for our cover shoot, explains while revealing a few of her favorite products for the season.

We’re seeing vivid and radiant lip color this year with luminous and intensely prismatic tones. Definitely a much brighter lip this Spring than we saw last season—and thank goodness for that since what’s more fun than introducing new and exciting colors into our daily makeup routine, am I right? Eyes are toned down just a bit so the focus of this Spring Collection is heavily based on those kissable lips. Here are some of my top picks and shades used in this shoot:

• “Girl About Town” by MAC. A sexy bright magenta pinkish tone that pairs beautifully with baby blues, navys and violets.
• “Lady Bug” by MUD. What a perfect red. Bright, bold and the perfect texture between not too matte and not too glossy.
• “Pagent” by OCC. A rich blue based pinkish purple shade which translates beautifully for the camera as well as when strutting your hot stuff down pretty much any New York City street.
• “Dragon Girl” Velvet Matte Lip Pencil By NARS. I believe in this case the name of this brilliant color speaks for itself.

Lip color is essential in the transformative power of makeup and this Spring, indulge yourself in some of the amazing shades that this season has to offer. —REIVA CRUZ