Beauty Fix: The benefits of using a facial oil, how to say goodbye to undereye puffiness 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 don’t have undereye circles, but sometimes I have puffiness that creates a shadow. What can I do about this?
Undereye puffiness and swelling is a buildup of fluid in the undereye area. This less-than-slightly scene can be caused by a number of things, including but not limited to irregular sleep patterns, allergies, high sodium consumption (this will probably make you rethink topping up your soy sauce the next time you have sushi!), and alcohol consumption. Some fine-tuning of your lifestyle can help alleviate undereye puffiness and swelling, but in the meantime, Garnier Nutritionist Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller ($22, well.ca) can help you! This undereye roller encourages circulation to the area thanks to the cooling sensation of the metal rollerball, and the tinted gel formula dispensed with each roll contains caffeine and lemon extract, in order to brighten and stimulate the area, concealing darkness without creasing!

I like woody and vetiver fragrances, but they can be a little too earthy. Any recommendations for something fresher?
Woody and vetiver notes can run the gamut from warm and heady to smelling so earthy it’s not too far off from actual dirt. That’s not exactly what most people look for in a fragrance, so I can’t blame you for being in search of something a bit brighter! While it may be classified as a fragrance for men, L’Occitane’s Cèdre & Oranger Eau de Toilette ($75, loccitane.ca) is a decidedly unisex scent that will appeal to anyone who is interested in citrus opening notes of bergamot, lemon and orange. They completely cut the earthiness of the cedar note that warms up to vetiver and musk base notes. The resulting scent is woody yet fresh and quite unique.

Can you recommend a highlighter that doesn’t have glitter in it?
Highlighting is a beautiful way to bring light and dimension to your face, and it’s certainly possible to get these results without the use of actual glitter. My favourite highlighter as of late is Bobbi Brown’s Nude Glow Shimmer Brick ($52, bobbibrown.ca), which provides both a hint of colour and a divine sheen thanks to how finely milled the powder is. This compact contains four shades (gold, silver quartz, rose-gold and bronze) and each shade is large enough that you can choose to apply it individually or swirl together for a combination. This palelle has enough pigment to serve as a neutral blush for light to medium skin tones, yet it also will be a great highlighter for medium-deep to dark skintones, leaving no chance of ashiness. Fantastic find!

What are the benefits of using a face oil? Should I start using one?
Face oil formulations today are very different from heavier oils you may have been apprehensive about in the past. Overall, face oils are key in establishing balance in moisture levels in the skin. This is particularly important as we get older, since skin loses its ability to generate certain lipids after a point in time (and, heads-up—age 25 is when collagen production gradually begins its production slowdown). If you’re looking for an anti-aging addition to your skincare routine, Origins Plantscription Youth-renewing Face Oil ($61, thebay.com) has all your lipid replenishment needs covered! This lightweight and quick-absorbing formula contains plant extracts like apricot kernel oil, olive oil, wheat germ extract, and coconut oil (among many other oils!) that all sub in for naturally occurring lipids. A couple drops applied after serum and before moisturizer will help seal moisture into the skin with no greasy residue whatsoever, just radiance. You’ll have to see it to believe it!

What can I use to brighten my skin? Winter weather makes it look so dull.
Nothing quite like subzero temperatures to vanquish any and all radiance from your skin! Dullness can be due to a lack of moisture, but it can also be caused by dead skin cells that simply need to be removed to reveal newer cells underneath. A fine-grain exfoliator like Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub ($12, at Shoppers Drug Mart) is your best bet for boosting radiance, thanks to the power of grapefruit extract, which contains antioxidants (like vitamin C) that lead to a brighter, more even skintone. The citrusy scent of this exfoliator adds a bit of pep in your step at the start the day, making it a morning essential.

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