Spring is here and we’re ready for a change.

Now that the sun is making a regular appearance, the heavy nourishing oils and thick moisturisers of winter seem a bit like overkill – it’s time to rediscover your skin in the buff.

As terrifying as that might sound (we too have been hibernating since October) the good news is that there’s a whole army of clever new products designed to make the big reveal less daunting.

From a concealer that disguises the ridges in your nails while repairing them to an SPF that kicks into gear when it encounters light, these are instant fixes for some of the most annoying beauty problems.

Here are five of the coolest items to shop now:

1. THE CONCEALER FOR YOUR NAILS

Buy it: Cutex BB Nail Concealer (€5.99 in pharmacies)

Slathering damaged nails in another layer of polish might make them look nice, but it doesn’t correct the peeling, breakage and splitting underneath – it only makes it worse.

The new Cutex BB Nail Concealer instantly smoothes and conceals surface nail damage while strengthening and supporting healing underneath. Made with a microbead polymer that fills in ridges, the unique formula allows nails to bend and stretch while strengthening and restoring. After removal on the fifth day, nails look healthier, brighter and feel stronger.

This stuff is especially ideal for anyone who had damaged their nails with acrylics and gel and wants to get them back to health.

2. THE MAGNETIC FACE MASK

Buy it: e.l.f. Beauty Shield Magnetic Mask Kit (€29.95 in pharmacies)

While most masks use clay to de-clog our pores, this clever e.l.f. formula uses magnetic attraction to draw out the nasties from the skin.

The e.l.f. Beauty Shield Magnetic Mask Kit uses an iron-based formula infused with antioxidant carrot seed oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, and argan oil. Apply it to a clean, dry face, leave it on for ten minutes, then glide the special magnetic tool just above the surface of the skin to gently remove it.

As well as leaving skin smooth, bright and make-up ready, this mask is also a ton of fun to use. It’s a win/win.

3. THE DRY SHAMPOO PASTE

Buy it: Redken Dry Texture Collection Dry Shampoo Paste (€25 from Origin Hair Design and Peter Mark)

Natural is the new normal when it comes to hair for SS19 – in fact, YouTube searches for natural styling tips are up 700% on last year.

Sadly, ‘natural’ isn’t always such a good look on us at 8am so dry shampoo has become our go-to solution for getting out the door in record time every morning. If you find your usual spritz leaves you hair a little fluffy, Redken’s latest invention will be your new star buy.

The new Dry Texture Collection Dry Shampoo Paste is half dry shampoo, half styling paste. It lift the roots and absorbs oils and impurities so it’ll give you all the freshness of a dry shampoo but it leaves hair with a mild, reworkable hold and a gorgeous ‘undone’ texture.

4. THE LIGHT-ACTIVATED SPF

Buy it: Dermalogica Prisma Protect SPF30 (€70 for 50mls, City Wax at Kopper, Half Moon Street, Cork) 

Sun protection is one of the most important things to take into account when choosing your skincare.

The latest light-activated multitasking moisturiser from Dermalogica provides excellent protection from those damaging rays while preventing future signs of skin damage. It’s all down to what they call ‘intelligent drone technology’  – activated by visible light to help boost skin’s natural luminosity.

Breakthrough antioxidant technology helps protect skin against pollution, Broad Spectrum Defense SPF30 provides protection from UV damage, while a bio-ferment from sage helps maintain an even skin tone.

Advanced moisture magnets provide all-day hydration for visibly smooth skin.

5. THE CACTUS SCRUB

Buy it: Cactus Blossom Body Scrub (€24.95, The Body Shop, Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork)

Hands up: we always gravitate towards our old favourites at The Body Shop (Grapefruit Shower Gel, anyone?) but theses days there’s heaps of brand new blends to try.

This week’s favourite is the Cactus Blossom Body Scrub. Enriched with Community Trade honey from Ethiopia and gently exfoliating raspberry seeds, this zingy, uplifting gel buffs away dull skin, revealing the fresh glow beneath – just the thing after a long winter in tights and wooly jumpers.