On the “Non-Hair Discussion Board” at CurlTalk, I have spent much of the past four months complaining about the winter that just ended. We got one heck of a lot of snow here in London, even by Canadian standards! A normal winter sees us get 220 cm (88 inches”> in total. By February 2nd, we had hit 235 cm (94 inches”>, and there was so much more by the end of March.

It’s time for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere to cast off the sweaters, socks and thermies and welcome spring! Here’s what’s hot for 2011:

The Tokidoki Soda Shop Palette – I admit that I am a sucker for the packaging from this Italian (NOT Japanese”> company. It’s cutesy and sort of animé and the kind of thing a person 1/3 my age would probably like. This reusable tin box contains 9 eye shadows, an eye liner, a nail file in the shape of Tokidoki character Sandy, a character magnet and a sheet of stickers. ($49 US exclusive to Sephora”>.

OPI for Sephora Nail Polish Collection “Glee” – 7 colours inspired by the characters of the hit television series. $9.50 US for each full-size polish, or a set of 6 minis (minus the lime green shade”> for $24 US, also exclusive to Sephora.

Benefit has a new block blush called Bella Bamba. This is a watermelon-pink shade with gold undertones ($28 US”>.

Orange is the IT colour for lips this spring —try the Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain in shade Jive ($19 US”> or Make Up For Ever’s Lab Shine Lip Gloss in shade D20 ($18 US”>.

If you’re going to do bright lips, it’s best to tone down your eyes. The Urban Decay “Naked” eye shadow palette sells out as fast as it gets to stores, so several other companies are getting in on the act—Too Faced has a Natural Eye Collection ($35 US”> or you could try the Lorac Private Affair Palette that comes with a mini eye primer, sponge-tip applicator and 6 eye shadows ($38 US”>.

Or try a pastel like the Hello Kitty Charmmy Eye Shadow Stick in shade Cream Puff—a shimmering lavender ($16 US”>.

Kat Von D has her “True Romance” eye shadow palette available in a pastel version called Truth—8 soft shades of greens, peach, and lavender. ($34 US at Sephora”> And there is the Tarina Tarantino Floriculture Palette, also 8 shades of eye shadow to take you from day to night ($38 US”>.

I am one of those people who tends to wear the same perfumes year-round, but for those who like to switch to lighter, fresher, scents, there are a few new ones this year, most notably Jennifer Aniston Lolavie. The notes for this fragrance are listed as: citrus grove accord, rose water, night blooming jasmine, wild violets, Amazon lily, musk, amber and sandalwood. Fragrance blogs are reporting that it is “beachy” in nature.

For fans of Bath & Body Works scents, the new addition to their lineup is Carried Away. The description from the company says that it contains “lush raspberries and juicy pear nectar with white jasmine and whipped vanilla” along with bergamot, Meyer lemon, mandarin, freesia, tuberose, violet, sandalwood and musk.

I’m just looking forward to the lily of the valley that blooms in my garden!