Predicting what consumers will be gravitating towards in 2013 doesn’t take a crystal ball—just a friendly chat with some of beauty’s movers and shakers. And Bluemercury’s Marla Malcolm Beck was a welcome volunteer to talk about what she’s expecting will sell this year.

“Everybody’s time starved and wants quick application,” said Marla Malcolm Beck, founder of Bluemercury. To address that need, many companies are introducing or expanding lines of creamy pencils for lips and eyes in the wake of the success of products such as Clinique’s Chubby Sticks. “Everybody’s moving towards the thicker shadow sticks and chubby pencils,” she explained. “They’re so easy.”

Along with being simple and forgiving to use, these pencils offer colors that don’t need constant reapplication. “The payoff in terms of how long these last is so good because of the technology behind them,” Marla said. “There’s been under-production in the category last year—you can’t ramp up fast enough.” From some companies, such as Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown, these sticks are taking the form of long-lasting twist-up sticks.

“I love those kinds of products,” agreed Alexis Page, Director of Global Product Development at MAC Cosmetics. “They’re so easy. They’re kind of an everyday essential you toss in your purse.” The color palate for these pencils is typically soft and pastel-focused, which works particularly well for spring and summer.

Pressed powders and powder foundations are also set to be extremely popular this year. “I’m seeing compacts everywhere but with completely different finishes,” said Marla. “We’re going back to our mother’s compacts and powders, but they’re not our mother’s compacts and powders.” That shift is thanks to technology, which can now create advanced foundation/powder hybrids and leave a luminous finish instead of a matte one. The trend is exemplified by NARS’ Light Reflecting Setting Powder and Make Up Forever’s Pro Finish Powder foundation.

Overall, radiant skin, like last year, will continue to be a focus in 2013. “’The skin is playing a big role,” said makeup artist Sonia Kashuk. “In general, everyone’s on a quest for perfect skin.” This year she’s introducing several illuminators in her Target line aimed at achieving that, such as Sonia Kashuk’s Perfecting Translucent Illuminator.  Sheer, illuminating concealers are also likely to be a big trend.

Although neutrals will dominate for at least the next six months—pastels in lavender and coral and metallics in rose gold and champagne—expect to also see pops of color, such as turquoise eyeliner or hot pink lips. Sephora is excited about the color emerald and has partnered with Pantone (who, of course, have dubbed it the color of the year) on an extensive line of items that includes eye kits complete with vivid green mascara, tools such as brushes and mirrors with grass-hued details, and even an emerald nail ring (to wear at the tip of one finger) detailed with a large sparkling clear crystal.

Although the nail craze of the past couple of years won’t be subsiding anytime soon, some insiders feel that the category has become oversaturated and needs to evolve. “There’s still a growing demand, but I think the product availability and introductions have far outstripped what the consumer group can absorb,” says Bluemercury’s Marla. “There’s an excessive proliferation of products for the demand. There are so many different brands and different colors; there needs to be some innovation to keep expanding the purchasing.”