Beauty Q&A

Beauty Q&A

I love getting beauty questions from my readers and fans. Let’s see what came into the ol’ inbox lately and guide these beauties on the right path.

Question: I get so overwhelmed trying to pick out my “signature” fragrance. I go into a department store or Sephora and am bombarded with scent and they all meld together. How do I choose?
--Amanda, 27, North Providence

Answer: Amanda, you are not alone! Perfume and fragrance departments can be daunting, so go into department stores with a strategy: sniff three and leave the rest. Your nose can only handle so much scent and once you smell more than three or so, your nose will not be able to discern key notes that you may enjoy. Also, utilize coffee beans (most counters have them) to cleanse the palette, so to speak, so your nose is ready for the next whiff. Another option is to head to a local shop that carries fragrances but where the air is not thick with the constant spray. I love Facing Thayer in Providence and The Apothecary Newport.

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Question: I watched your smoky eye video and was inspired to try it and it looked great! The question I have is can I do a smoky eye with other colors like purple? And how do I do it?
--Natalie, 19, Foster

Answer: I’m so glad the video was helpful. Smoky eyes can be intimidating but once you get the hang of it, they are a cinch and look so chic. Yes, you certainly can do other colors and it is pretty much the exact same way as using grays and blacks. For purples, brush a light purple over the entire lid then do the “v”  in the crease with a dark purple and blend. Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery purple or white and then line the lids with a dark purple liner. If you want to be bold and have even more fun, use purple or violet mascara.

Question: I’m only 24 but I want Botox! My crow’s feet are so bad and makeup only makes them look worse. Help!
--Charlene, 24, Cranston

Answer: Charlene, put the needle down and step away from the botulism. You are way too young for Botox and your answer may be as simple as hydrating your skin. Many women (and men for that matter!) do not realize that crags, wrinkles and lines can be a sign of dehydrated, dry skin. The solution is to moisturize deeply and hydrate and you will see the lines soften and maybe disappear. Try an eye cream formulated for dry skin and let me know your results.

Question: I’ve heard an olive oil treatment does wonders for your hair. How much should I use and how often?
--Samantha, 31, Narragansett

Answer: Is there anything olive oil can’t do? Its natural fatty acids make hair soft, manageable and glossy, without feeling overly oily. Use the oil sparingly and you can glean beautiful results. I recommend treating hair with olive oil once a week, depending upon how thick or dry or long your hair may be. A dime size amount of oil for medium hair and a quarter size for long hair will do wonders but be sure to rub it into your hands first. Then rub it in from roots to tips, sleep on it and rinse in the morning.

Have a question for Becky? Email her at [email protected] or at her Facebook page.