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Beauty & Fragrance

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What to know about beauty & fragrance

Beauty is the category where the label promises most and explains least, so it pays to read three things before the marketing. The first is the formula. Whether a product is water based, oil based, a gel, a cream or a powder decides how it sits on skin, what it layers with and who it suits, far more than the claim on the front. The second is the finish, matte through dewy, which is the single biggest reason a foundation someone loves looks wrong on you. The third is shelf life, because opened products expire. The small jar symbol on the back tells you how many months you have once it is opened.

Sunscreen is the one product here with a health consequence rather than a cosmetic one. Look for broad spectrum, which means protection against both UVA and UVB, and treat reapplication as part of using it, since no SPF number removes that need.

Nothing in these guides is medical advice. Persistent acne, eczema, reactions and hair loss are worth a dermatologist rather than a shopping decision, and the guides say so where it matters.

Details to check

What matters when you compare

Formulation

What physical form does the product take?

Coverage

How much does the base actually cover?

Finish

How does it reflect light once applied?

Skin Type

Which skin is the formula built for?

Fragrance Family

Which scent family does it belong to?

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