This week, I’ll be answering a lot of questions from the reader mailbag.  It’s been filling up for a while, and it’s time to dive in.  First up, a roundup of short questions about makeup, skincare, and haircare.

Hi Belle,

Have you, in your beauty world travels, come across a product that you like for dry scalp?  As we head into winter, I can feel my scalp beginning to cry for moisture.

Thanks! SK

Allure has a list of 18 products that they recommend for dry and itchy scalp issues.  I put the question out to some friends, and one of them recommend a product from the list:  The Living Proof Restore Dry Scalp Treatment.

This treatment uses a Vitamin B3 based balancing complex and hyaluronic acid to soothe and moisturizer the scalp.  From my friend’s e-mail, “Winter scalp itching is real.  The scalp treatment lessens the irritation.  I didn’t realize how much I needed this  product until I forgot to take it on a weekend trip and spent most of my return flight scratching.”

Hi Abra!

You recently posted on your Instagram that you are switching your face wash for the fall. I am currently battling fall acne – this September has been rough. In addition to face wash, what are your daily Day face lotion and night creams? Serums? Maybe I missed a post of yours about this, but I seem to have skin similar to yours and would love to know what you’re currently using. I need to switch my regimen up!

Thanks!  Kristen

After years of building a skincare regimen that sometimes verged on lunacy, I have simplified.  Gone are the piles of serums, creams, and treatments.  At this stage of my life, less is more.

I wash my face with Body Shop Tea Tree Face Wash.  It cleanses without stripping.  For daytime, I use a facial sunscreen and Epionce Lytic TX moisturizer.

At night, I’m using Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Gel.  When I use an eye cream, I choose Dr. Brandt No More Baggage.

Abra:

What is your favorite lipstick?

I need a new one. ty, Lia

Charlotte Tilbury makes that two lipsticks that I wear: Pillow Talk and Amazing Amal.  The first is a pink-nude color, and the second is a red alternative that reads like a deep raspberry.

Have you thought about letting your hair go gray?  I’m about to turn 40 and I am so very tired of paying my colorist every four weeks.  Also, is there a way to ease into going gray?  Having a strong root line for a year doesn’t entice me to quit.

Love the Instagram stories! JJ

No, I haven’t seriously considered letting my hair go grey.  One day I might, but for now, it’s not for me.

If you’re looking to go grey gracefully, if you will, this Allure article details how to stop coloring over the course of a year.  But their approach still involves highlighting and low lighting hair.  Next Tribe also covers the process of going grey.

If you’ve already made the decision to go grey, Byrdie discusses how to care for grey hair.

Interested in a hair color alternative?  Hairprint claims to restore hair to its natural color.  I heard about it on the Happier in Hollywood podcast, but it’s tough to discover how the product works.  Reviews usually discuss that it “re-pigments hair” offering little explanation as to how.  Currently they only sell color products for brunettes, but they also make natural hair products that restore thinning hair, and repair damaged, aging hair.

Hi Belle

I’m sick of cleaning my Beauty Blender but it’s so gross when I don’t clean it.  Is there another way to apply foundation?

Sofia

I have a BeautyBlender and an Artis brush.

I use the BeautyBlender to apply correctors and concealers.  I clean it with the solid soap BB makes for regular washes.  When it needs a deep cleaning, I use the microwave.

The Artis palm brush is a new addition to my makeup bag.  It’s a brush that fits in the palm of your hand and is perfect for blending foundation.  I used it on my wedding day and my makeup looked as good as airbrushed.

{this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author; image via casey horner}