Beauty Fix: Why you should try a neutral blush, a unique fragrance for summer and more answers to your beauty questions

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 feel like it’s difficult to find a fragrance that is truly atypical and stands out from what I already own and what others around me wear. Any suggestions?
As we all know, fragrance is extremely personal and subjective. It’s fairly common knowledge that the way fragrance smells on skin varies from person to person, dependent on the acidity of the skin. That being said, who wouldn’t want something that’s less identifiable upon first smell and perhaps a bit more intriguing to passersby? If you’re looking for something that’s a different olfactory experience, check out Lush’s range of Gorilla Perfumes. The collection of nine fragrances is very much the antidote to other perfumes you own in a uniquely refreshing way. First, each scent was inspired by English art, music, people and memories. The range include notes that allude to specific, intriguing smells such as whisky, espresso, clary sage and French cigarettes, but are still blended with traditional notes such as frangipani, tonka bean, and jasmine. The end result is a collection that is a welcomed departure from the norm. My pick for spring is Lush Sun (starting at $15, lush.ca), which is an eau de parfum that contains Brazilian orange oil, sandalwood and mimosa—sure to give you pep in your step as we wait for the weather to turn!

Deep conditioning hair treatments seem beneficial, but they weigh my fine hair down. Is there an alternate for fine hair?
Fine-haired friends definitely have a challenge when it comes to picking out deep conditioning treatments, because they are generally geared towards hair that is thicker, heavier and in need of intensely moisturizing ingredients. But fine hair can also need a boost of moisture, especially after a never-ending winter. Try adding 4-5 drops of Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Hair Oil ($66, ebeauty.ca) to your conditioner for a deep conditioning effect without the overwhelming emollient nature of a hair mask. This jasmine-scented fluid is rich with calendula, sweet almond, jojoba, juniper berry and rosemary oils, which work to improve the condition of hair and add moisture to the hair to improve elasticity and shine.

What is nude/neutral blush? It sounds contradictory.
It really does sound absolutely backwards to seek out a neutral blush, but allow me to explain. Neutral blush is for the blush-phobes of the world! If the notion of bright colours on the apples of your cheeks makes you nervous, then read on! The idea of neutral blush is that it does indeed enhance your cheeks, but it’s extremely subtle and natural-looking with muted undertones, which makes it an ideal companion for a heavier eye look or bold lip colour (or even for everyday wear—a nude blush is the epitome of work-appropriate). An unexpected neutral blush with a name that may trick you is Revlon Photoready Sculpting Blush Palette in “Berry” ($16, well.ca), which features a light mauve blush that is entirely buildable to suit different skin tones, as well as a highlighting shade and contouring shade, which can be used on cheekbones and eyelids alike.

What can I use on my face to look put together quickly? I don’t have a lot to hide, but could use a bit of help!
Everyone should definitely have go-to products that can make them go from blah to glam with a few sweeps of a brush, and it’s even better when one product is brimming with potential to do many tricks. It’s crucial to focus on what you’re trying to accomplish and paying attention to what you love reaching for and are comfortable using versus what is more experimental and unknown. While always on trend, healthy, fresh-looking skin is a huge focus for spring—and it’s also exactly what we’re aching for at this point in the year! To incorporate this trend into your speedy routine, try Chanel Les Beiges Sheer Powder SPF 15 ($60, at Chanel counters), which is pressed powder that breathes a bit of life back into your skin without overt shimmer. It can be swept all over the face as a base, or it can be used as a contour powder with the accompanying half-moon brush. It can also be applied to tops of cheekbones and the perimeter of the face for a bronzing effect. A lot of options for a single compact!

I feel like I have to choose between moisture and colour payoff when it comes to lipstick. How can I find a happy medium?
In spite of so many delightful hybrid lip products that are glossy, balmy, and shiny, it occasionally feels like it’s still an uphill battle to find a bright lipstick that leans towards the matte side that isn’t dehydrating to the lips. While we’ve previously discussed how to get the perfect red lip, we don’t always have time to go through each and every step of the process. Thankfully, there’s a new lipstick on the block and it’s as smooth as its leather packaging: Givenchy Le Rouge ($38, sephora.com, shown in “304 Mandarine Boléro”) is a highly-pigmented formula that will grant you major colour payoff in a creamy, semi-matte finish without sucking the moisture out of your lips the way many mostly-matte formulas can.

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