Beauty Briefs

A nude lipstick can be a welcome addition to any woman’s beauty case, but choosing the perfect shade is often more complicated than finding a vibrant color. Beige, which is a wonderful neutral, can also be considered a drab color on its own. One woman’s neutral is another woman’s pink, orange, or brown.  Different shades flatter diverse mouths and skin tones, because it’s not a one size fits all.  So how do you pull off a nude lip without looking washed out, drab, or like you erroneously applied concealer to your mouth?

I was browsing through the stores and noticing the upcoming fashions for spring. I came, I saw, I contoured, and am now ready to share the following beauty tips to enhance your life:   

Many people ask me if they should add or skip the toning step in skincare. Others have no clue what a toner is all about.  There are various misconceptions about toners, since they were originally formulated years ago as astringents to target acne and oily skin. Many contained a high concentration of alcohol and were harsh and drying.  Some were more harmful to sensitive skin than they were beneficial, which was certainly not conducive to a healthy complexion.  In fact, some toners of the 90s were damaging to the capillaries and a problem for rosacea. I have never been a fan of those type of toners and many dermatologists did not approve of them either. 

The beauty industry is always buzzing with new trends each season and continuously thrives on constant changes in makeup and skincare. It seems the industry is taking positive strides to be more inclusive and socially conscious than ever before.  It’s also about to become more individualized and sustainable. The following trends can be expected in the coming year: 

There is something special to be said for pink makeup, which is both beautiful and feminine. This look is on trend this season, and pink is one of those colors that’s universally flattering to all skin tones and eye colors. Pink also works well with most eyeshadow colors.  Whether you’re trying to achieve an understated look with muted pinks or create a bold and brilliant eye with more vibrant hues, there’s something rosy for everyone. 

Facial rollers have recently received lots of publicity and have become the latest beauty craze. You can find them in department stores, drug stores, online, and various other places.  These tools look pretty and are mainly made of jade and rose quartz or an imitation of such stones. They originally made their debut in Ancient China during the 17th century as a beauty ritual, and have now been commercialized. They can be rolled on the skin in the morning, evening, or both, proclaiming to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, help with puffiness and lymphatic drainage, plus reduce dark circles. There are many that sing their praises. And yes, they can (slightly) reduce undereye puffiness, if it’s due to fluid retention.  In my opinion, they look pretty and are basically like a nice daily facial massage. They do increase circulation, but they don’t perform miracles. It’s not going to create significant changes in your complexion or have an effect on inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Plus, if you don’t use it correctly or are too harsh with it, it may be harmful to those with sensitive skin, rosacea or broken capillaries.