Beauty Fix: A powder foundation ideal for darker skintones, ways to soothe itchy skin and more
Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question we haven’t answered? Email us at [email protected].
Can you suggest a powder foundation formula that’s suitable for darker skintones?
Powder foundations haven’t always been the most suitable format for darker skintones, usually because traditional formulations contained talc. When applied to darker skintones, talc can create a grayish cast that looks unflattering and unnatural. Ask anyone with a medium-deep to deep skintone and they’ll likely tell you that they’ve long avoided powder foundation—until recently, that ia! CoverFX Pressed Mineral Foundation ($35, murale.ca) is a talc-free pressed powder foundation that feels virtually creamy when applied since it’s so finely milled Even better, it comes in 24 shades split by undertones of golden, neutral and pink, ensuring that all skintones will find a suitable, non-ashy match.
What’s the best way to boost my hair colour even if I don’t colour it regularly?
Dying hair can certainly boost shine and add dimension, while also serving a more specific purpose, such as covering gray hairs or maintaining a shade that is a departure from your natural colour. If colouring your hair isn’t a part of your usual routine, that doesn’t mean that you have to forego the shine and dimension rewards of hair due. A glossing treatment, like John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss ($13, at drugstores), could be right up your alley! The formula is applied after shampooing and conditioning, contains no ammonia or peroxide and helps revive your hair colour and counteract fading while increasing vibrancy. The range consists of six shades split into cool and warm tones, allowing you to select the best one for your undertone.
I had a chemical peel and my skin is more sensitive than ever. Can I use anything to soothe it?
Whether you’ve undergone a chemical peel or went a little overboard with a physical exfoliant or didn’t put on enough sunscreen before heading out for the day, skin that’s sensitized and inflamed is never a comfortable feeling. It’s totally reasonable to reach for a skin-soothing product to reduce inflammation while you heal. A serum like Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate ($74, dermalogica.ca) is sure to help put your skin at ease. It contains oat kernel extract, which is known to calm skin, as well as evening primrose oil and ginger root extract to usher along the skin repair process. Tip: pair this serum with a moisturizer for even speedier recovery from whatever is ailing you.
How do I prevent age spots from getting worse?
Age spots are a form of sun damage and a pigmentation corrector often helps diminish the appearance of them. That being said, the easiest way to prevent age spots from worsening is by wearing sunscreen every day. If you’re not fond of sunscreen due to texture or smell, a formula such as Rodial SPF 30 X-treme Dark Spot Sun Filter ($56, murale.ca) is a delight for your skin and senses. The formula contains a brightening complex that will break down existing age spots with continued use, as well as shea butter to hydrate skin and an SPF level of 30 to protect your skin from daily damage, all in a lightweight, fresh-smelling fluid that absorbs quickly with a mattifying finish.
I have eczema and most body washes irritate my skin. What can I use that won’t drive my skin crazy?
Most body washes will irritate eczema immensely, typically because they contain soap or fragrance (or both!) that can further irritate skin that’s already irritated by eczema. When skin is dry, flakey and inflamed—as it is when eczema is flaring up—the last thing to use on the skin is anything containing fragrance or drying soap ingredients. Try lathering up with Polysporin Eczema Essentials Daily Wash ($15, well.ca), which is formulation without soap and fragrance, and contains lipids and shea butter to gently cleanse skin without completely stripping or aggravating it.
 is a talc-free pressed powder foundation that feels virtually creamy when applied since it’s so finely milled Even better, it comes in 24 shades split by undertones of golden, neutral and pink, ensuring that all skintones will find a suitable, non-ashy match.
What’s the best way to boost my hair colour even if I don’t colour it regularly?
Dying hair can certainly boost shine and add dimension, while also serving a more specific purpose, such as covering gray hairs or maintaining a shade that is a departure from your natural colour. If colouring your hair isn’t a part of your usual routine, that doesn’t mean that you have to forego the shine and dimension rewards of hair due. A glossing treatment, like John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss ($13, at drugstores), could be right up your alley! The formula is applied after shampooing and conditioning, contains no ammonia or peroxide and helps revive your hair colour and counteract fading while increasing vibrancy. The range consists of six shades split into cool and warm tones, allowing you to select the best one for your undertone.
I had a chemical peel and my skin is more sensitive than ever. Can I use anything to soothe it?
Whether you’ve undergone a chemical peel or went a little overboard with a physical exfoliant or didn’t put on enough sunscreen before heading out for the day, skin that's sensitized and inflamed is never a comfortable feeling. It's totally reasonable to reach for a skin-soothing product to reduce inflammation while you heal. A serum like Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate ($74, dermalogica.ca) is sure to help put your skin at ease. It contains oat kernel extract, which is known to calm skin, as well as evening primrose oil and ginger root extract to usher along the skin repair process. Tip: pair this serum with a moisturizer for even speedier recovery from whatever is ailing you.
How do I prevent age spots from getting worse?
Age spots are a form of sun damage and a pigmentation corrector often helps diminish the appearance of them. That being said, the easiest way to prevent age spots from worsening is by wearing sunscreen every day. If you’re not fond of sunscreen due to texture or smell, a formula such as Rodial SPF 30 X-treme Dark Spot Sun Filter ($56, murale.ca) is a delight for your skin and senses. The formula contains a brightening complex that will break down existing age spots with continued use, as well as shea butter to hydrate skin and an SPF level of 30 to protect your skin from daily damage, all in a lightweight, fresh-smelling fluid that absorbs quickly with a mattifying finish.
I have eczema and most body washes irritate my skin. What can I use that won’t drive my skin crazy?
Most body washes will irritate eczema immensely, typically because they contain soap or fragrance (or both!) that can further irritate skin that’s already irritated by eczema. When skin is dry, flakey and inflamed—as it is when eczema is flaring up—the last thing to use on the skin is anything containing fragrance or drying soap ingredients. Try lathering up with Polysporin Eczema Essentials Daily Wash ($15, well.ca), which is formulation without soap and fragrance, and contains lipids and shea butter to gently cleanse skin without completely stripping or aggravating it.
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