Beauty Fix: The best blush for a Valentine’s Day glow, a low-cost cleanser for sensitive 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 beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com.

I always find statement lips pretty for Valentine’s Day, but when it comes to kissing… not so practical! How else can I rock a romantic look?
Statement lips definitely have a time and a place, , but if your Valentine’s Day plans include getting intimate they’re better saved for another night out. A perfectly understated yet glowing alternative is a soft pink cheek. Use Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Compact in “Rosewood” ($30, thebay.com) to lightly define and contour, blending onto cheekbones and sweeping through contours of cheeks with a synthetic brush. This cream blush has light-reflecting technology that allows it to function as a super-subtle highlight when applied on cheekbones and it also doubles as a lip colour if you desire a monochromatic look! For extra oomph, set the cream blush with a dusting of Clarins Opalescence Poudre Teint & Blush ($40, thebay.com), a holographic compact that contains a pink beige powder accented with coral and brown—which results in a natural blush that brightens the face without any chance of overpowering. No need to fear blush when it’s this flattering!

I have trouble finding a reasonably priced cleanser that suits my sensitive skin. What can I try that won’t break the bank every time I need to repurchase?
Sensitive skin can be frustrating to handle simply because formulations suited to sensitive skin can be a bit more costly due to ingredients having been omitted or swapped out for alternatives. It sounds silly, doesn’t it? You lose ingredients and still have to pay a bit more. The cost of finding what works best for your skin is also an irritating plight, literally and figuratively speaking because your skin can go through quite the rollercoaster ride when you’re testing out new products. Next time you’re in the drugstore aisle staring down your options reach for L’Oréal Sublime Soft Gentle Micellar Solution ($12, at drugstores). This cleansing water contains no soap agents whatsoever so there’s a much lower chance of irritation occurring with your sensitive skin. It does contain glycerin and panthenol, which will leave you with soft, soothed skin. It’s highly effective as a cleanser, and that includes makeup removal. That’s right, this clear fluid does everything you need it to, and for a very fair price. Consider this part of your skincare routine dealt with!

Any recommendations for a lip colour I can swipe on without a mirror?
This is not a tall order, but it is one with many factors. In order for a lip colour to be applied without a mirror, the colour should be creamy, semi-sheer to sheer in terms of pigmentation and ideally hydrating, because that’s usually half the purpose of lip products. Tinted balms tick off most of these check boxes, and they’re incredibly easy to apply on the go. A balm I can’t get enough of: Rodial GlamStick ($24, murale.ca), partially because of the shade range, which varies from neutrals to brights, but also due to the triple-threat of moisture packed in each stick (hyaluronic acid, cocoa butter and vitamin E). The consistency is creamy, which makes me feel like my lips are protected from the cold, but also look polished and appropriate with an appropriate amount of colour for daily wear.

I’m going on a mid-winter escape and need a nail polish that will last on my nails. What can stand up to time in water?
If you’re taking mani matters into your own hands, then you should absolutely take your time when applying polish. Slowing down to ensure your nail beds are properly rid of oil and that your polish application is tidy with enough time to dry between coats will help your DIY manicure last longer. When it comes to a polish formulation, Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Colour (shown in “Blow Bubbles”, $7, at drugstores) is a serious contender to keep an eye out for. The formula contains panthenol, vitamin E, which both promote hydration of the nails, as well as sea kelp, added in to provide protection against water and soap, making it a logical pick for a warm-weather jaunt, whether at the beach or poolside. The colour range consists of iridescent, cream and glimmering glitter shades, as Sally Hansen knows variety is the name of the nail game. All you have to do is take your pick and you’re on your way to glassy, glossy nails for days!

My lips just won’t stop flaking. How do I fix this?
You can chalk up the potential cause of flakey lips to a number of things, such as the weather, general dehydration or ineffective lip balm, but whatever it is, something must be done! Lip balm is meant to hydrate lips, but if you simply apply it to flakey lips, you’re essentially just hydrating dead skin. You exfoliate the rest of your face, so it’s time to zero in on your mouth. Bliss Fabulips Pout-o-matic Spa Powered Lip-Perfecting System ($58, sephora.ca) is precisely the tool to use to buff away dead skin that normally flakes away. Simply pop the battery in (included in the set), pick up a dab of sugar lip scrub with the rubber head of the tool and hit the power button! The rotating head has small nubs on it to encourage both exfoliation and circulation, and the resulting smoothness and flake-free nature of your lips after using this thing for 30 seconds is pretty unreal. It’ll become a go-to tool all year, especially as a prep step before applying lipstick, which can always emphasize lip flakiness.

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