Beauty Fix: A body part you shouldn’t forget when it comes to anti-aging, the perfect pink blush 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 beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

I work in a somewhat conservative environment, but I’m really drawn to metallics for fall. How can I incorporate this into my look without being over the top in the workplace?
Office dress codes are in place for a reason, so let’s not break any rules per se, but rather bend them ever so slightly. When looking at metallic beauty products, the key to finding something that’s agreeable with your office look is usually in the glitter or shimmer quotient of the product. You can easily swap out a creamy neutral nail polish for a shade like Joe Fresh Beauty Nail Polish in “Quartz” ($4, joefresh.com), which is a mid-tone duochrome purple metallic shade with a shimmer that reads as a glow in the bottle. A shade like this is actually quite understated and downright chic when sported on short nails.

I spend a lot of time applying anti-aging products to my face but want to do something to protect my neck and chest as well. What can I use to target signs of aging in these areas?
It’s quite easy to overlook skincare for the neck and chest area, but it’s definitely an area to protect and treat, since it’s in the spotlight (and sunlight) just as much as our faces. First of all, be sure to wear sunscreen on these areas daily to avoid sunspots and UV damage that leads to premature wrinkles. Secondly, try incorporating a treatment like Etival Laboratoire Neck and Décolleté serum ($32, Shoppers Drug Mart) into your skincare routine. This formula contains vitamins A, D, E, K, provitamin B5, and coenzyme Q10 to nourish skin, increase elasticity and improve firmness of the skin. Bid wrinkles and sagging skin adieu!

I’m on the hunt for a pink blush, but I’m pretty overwhelmed by my options. Any guidance?
To say you’re overwhelmed is probably an understatement! Blush is a complex product to buy because, unlike say an eyeshadow or lipstick, the colour in the pan is not really how it’s supposed to look when applied. So: keep an open mind when shopping—and sampling—blush! If you’re in the market for a natural flush, look no further than Dior Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush ($45, sephora.ca). This blush can be intimidating when you first see it in the pan, but it’s a universal colour that adapts to your skintone to create a flattering wash of pink. It takes a second to adjust after its applied, so use a light hand and add another layer after the colour has settled on your cheeks if so desired.

My skin looks dull and my T-zone has been really oily and prone to breakouts. Do I have to use multiple products to address this?
Sounds like your skin could use a bit of a decongesting. While different products could help you, start simple and try a mask like Soap & Glory Fab Pore Facial Peel ($25, Shoppers Drug Mart). This bergamot-scented mask can be used as spot treatment to focus on the T-zone, but your whole face can benefit from the kaolin clay-based formula that contains salicylic acid (everyone’s favourite for whisking away dead skin cells to reveal brighter skin) and mushroom extract (to tighten pores associated with oily skin). You can either apply it for 5 minutes a few times per week or go for the 15-minute application, which is practically a DIY facial.

The texture of my skin seems to be less refined than it used to be, and I’ve noticed a loss of firmness in my face. Should I be using an anti-aging cream?
Signs of aging are frankly somewhat inevitable, but with the right skincare, you can manage how extensive the changes in your skin become. Some anti-aging skincare regimens can include a whole roster of products to address different concerns, but it isn’t always necessary to start with heavy skincare artillery if you’re just getting into anti-aging products. Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream ($68, kiehls.ca) is actually a really sound option for those beginning an anti-aging realm. It counters loss of firmness and volume with beech tree extract and fragmented hyaluronic acid, while jasmonic acid, corrects fine lines and increases elasticity. Overall, the formula is a workhorse that doesn’t irritate skin while repairing it, making it a real keeper!

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