Beauty Fix: 5 must-have face products you thought your skin was too sensitive for

Is a sleep mask really that different from my usual daytime moisturizer?
Most definitely! Sleep masks, a fairly new product trend in the beauty realm, are designed to work in tandem with your skin’s natural renewal and repair cycle, which primarily comes into play while you’re asleep. A sleep mask, like Garnier Ultra-Lift Miracle Sleeping Cream ($25, at drugstores), will do more than just hydrate your skin. This particular formula actually contains calming lavender essential oil, which relaxes your skin and facial muscles, in addition to hyaluronic acid (superb hydrator) and alpha hydroxy acids (cell turnover boosters), making this a helpful addition to your evening skincare routine for well-rested skin.

I have sensitive skin and most facial cleansers irritate it. What can I use on the go that won’t aggravate my skin?
Face wipes are always favoured for their portability and ease of use, but they can also be overly fragrant or have a textured aspect to them that can irritate sensitive skin. Pick up a pack of Burt’s Bees Sensitive Facial Cleansing Towelettes ($10, burtsbees.ca) to keep skin clean when you’re on the run. These facial cleansing wipes are pre-moistened in a formula rich in soothing aloe and hydrating rice extract, as well as skin-softening cotton extract. They’re effective yet gentle when it comes to getting makeup off and toning your skin without redness, burning or itching after the fact.

I’m very fair-skinned, even more so in the winter, so what shade of blush would suit me best?
Fair-skinned friends can create a believable flush with minimal effort, so there’s always a mild sense of paranoia associated with looking overdone. If you’re nervous about overdoing colour on your cheeks, seek out an unoffensive shade in a buildable powder formulation, like Dior Diorblush in “Peach Splendor” ($48, thebay.com). Apply the blush with a duo-fibre brush in order to diffuse the colour for a softer, more seamless appearance. Tip: if you do happen to get a little heavy-handed with your blush application, a light dusting of loose powder can help you tone down the colour to a level you’re more comfortable with.

Do I need to use an under eye primer before applying concealer?
Much like face primers, primers for the under eye area can help prep the area for makeup. You can certainly use an under eye brightener to cast off dark shadows or hydrating eye cream to smooth fine lines prior to concealer application. Try using Benefit Cosmetics Puff Off! ($35, sephora.ca), which is a hydrating eye gel texture that has a under eye-brightening pink tint to it. Dispense a dot of the gel under each eye and then “iron” out the puffiness and fine lines, which are substantially diminished thanks to the combined powers of moisture, optical brighteners and this product’s cooling metal tip applicator.

Silicone doesn’t sit well with my skin. What else can I use to prime my skin?
While ingredients like dimethicone are in most face primers out there to provide that coveted soft-focus and perfected canvas, silicones don’t necessarily jive with everyone’s skin. Some people experience a makeup meltdown with oil breakthrough mere hours after using traditional silicone-based primers, so think outside the box and consider your next facial primer as a product that preps and hydrates skin for the best possible canvas for your makeup. Smashbox Photo Finish Priming Water ($37, sephora.ca) is like a sports drink for your skin, full of electrolytes to reinvigorate and nourish skin. Mist on before makeup application to prime skin, after makeup application to set or throughout the day to rehydrate and refresh your skin. Bonus: this formula contains no alcohol, silicone or oil, making it much more universally appealing to all skin types.

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