ask bella

"Whenever I dye my hair myself, or sometimes even after I've had it done at the hairdressers, I always seem to get dye on my forehead or ears and it doesn't fade for a few days. Is there anything I can do to remove it as it just looks a bit dirty?!" — Tara

A great tip, which I picked up from Belinda Jeffrey — she's the award-winning colourist who's client list includes Megan Gale, Sarah Murdoch and the cast of The Great Gatsby and is also an ambassador for Nice 'n Easy so she knows her stuff — is removing it with a little bit of nail polish remover. It sounds strange, but it really works. Simply dip a cotton bud into some nail polish remover and gently sweep it over the excess hair dye. It should gently lift off.

Of course, as with anything, prevention is the best cure so next time you dye your hair, apply some Vaseline or Lucas' Papaw along the hairline and on your ears — basically anywhere that the hair dye may drip and touch. It easily washes off with warm water but it just repels the dye.

"Bella, I've got these annoying red bumps on the back of my upper arms and they won't disappear — no matter what I do! I'm really conscious of them, especially now it's Summer and I hate showing my arms. Is there anything I can do?" — Sally

It sounds to me like you have keratosis pilaris, which can is a common skin condition that causes red bumps to appear often on the upper arms, but sometimes on the thighs too. Even though you're more self-conscious about it because it's Summer, traditionally it often gets better in warmer months because it's more common when your skin is dry. There are a few things you can do or ingredients to look out for to help diminish the appearance and feel of the bumps over time but it often only fully goes away as you get older.

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Every time I put fake tan on, I get really dark bits around my elbows and ankles. The rest of the tan looks natural but these go orange and are so obviously fake-looking. How can I fix it? — Alison

The thing about fake tan is, it's great when it's great and bad when it's bad. But the good news is there are a few quick and easy tips for fixing up mistakes such as dark patches, which most likely occur on the dry areas of your body such as ankles, knees and elbows.

Fixing up

• Soak a cotton bud in lemon juice and rub it over the area. The citric acid in the lemon juice acts as a natural exfoliator.
• Baking soda is another natural alternative. Massage it into damp skin, gently rubbing in circular motions.

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Hi Bella, I need to scrub up (hehe) on my knowledge about exfoliants. I had a facial the other day and was told I need to start using one but my therapist then told me there are different types and there are about 1,000 versions in the shops. I don't have bad skin but I do suffer from blackheads. — Anna

Your therapist was right on two counts, Anna. There are different types of facial exfoliants out there and you do need to start using one! Basically the main benefit of using a scrub or exfoliant is that they make your skin look brighter because they slough away dead skin cells. There are two main types of exfoliant, chemical and mechanical or physical. Here's a bit more info about which one is suited to you.

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Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of patches of skin or due to ramped-up melanin production, resulting in blotchy looking skin and uneven skin tone. It can be caused by many things, predominantly the sun, ageing, pregnancy and other hormonal changes (chloasma), products or medications that contribute to photosensitivity and even the skin's reaction to acne or waxing (post-inflamatory pigmentation).

Sun exposure makes melanocyte cells (which produce melanin) go into overdrive so SPF 30+ is a key element in preventing hyperpigmentation however it won't reduce or fade sun spots once they appear on the skin. Instead you'll need to look for skin whitening and anti-pigmentation products specifically designed to reduce age spots and even skin tone.

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"What's a good matte moisturiser for men? I used to use a L'Oréal one but it's discontinued so I want something similar." — James

It sucks when a product runs out that you love, but luckily for you, James, there are plenty of options out there. Not all are labelled matte, but it's important to look for an oil-free product if you want something that doesn't add any shine. Also check the type of moisturiser. Gels and lotions are much more lightweight than rich creams, which means they don't leave an obviously just-moisturised look. Obviously coming into Summer, it's also important to look for something that features broad spectrum UV protection. Here are my product recommendations:

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"I love wearing lipstick at the moment. I also love the look of matte, which I’ve been wearing, but my lips have been getting dry as the day goes on. When I put lip balm on in the morning, it’s harder for me to get the right coverage. What should I do?" — Jessica

Good question, Jessica! I'm guessing if you've applied lip balm and then tried to do a matte lip straight afterwards that the colour is going everywhere and looking patchy, right? Because of lip balm's waxy texture, it doesn't make a good match for matte lipstick unless the balm has sunk in. The best way to avoid having to wait is to ensure that your lips aren't dry to begin with.

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It's a new week and that of course means it's time for a new Ask Bella question. In case you're not a regular reader (tut tut), each Monday we rifle through the ol' mail bag and answer a question from you. From essential makeup brushes to the point of serums, no question is too big or small for us, so if you've got your own cosmetics conundrum share it with us at mail@bellasugar.com.au — chances are we'll be able to help! But now it's over to Michelle, who asked:

"The other day I used tinted moisturiser over the top of my usual moisturiser and my skin felt really greasy. Am I meant to use moisturiser underneath or should I skip it?"

There are a few things that affect this but in general I advise you not to. The key reason for this is one of the main points of buying a tinted moisturiser is that they're a great 2-in-1, offering both coverage and hydration. So it's kind of missing the point if you're still using a moisturiser underneath. It's like using a foundation over the top.

But saying that, if your skin is particularly dry or you're a mature lady, you may need an extra hit of moisture — just be sure to let your skin drink it up before applying the tinted moisturiser. In other words, leave 10-15 minutes in between the two if possible. And also, before applying the tinted moisturiser, separate a 2-ply tissue and dab your face to absorb any excess moisturiser — this should help it feel more non-greasy. If you've got fairly normal skin or particularly oily skin (in which case, always look for an oil-free option) you're fine to skip on your regular moisturiser in the morning and just use an intensive moisturiser at night. Especially in Spring and Summer when your skin isn't as dry in Winter anyway.

Tinted moisturisers we love (because they feature SPF too):

• Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30, $32
• Bobbi Brown SPF 15 Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer, $70
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser with SPF 15, $22.99
• True Solutions All Day Moisture SPF30+ Tinted Sunscreen, $60
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 20, $78

Each week we open up the floor for reader questions in the hope of helping you find your way to complexion perfection. Or wonder waves. Whatever you ask, we'll answer. Just as long as it's beauty-related. We're not in the business of delivering Ryan Gosling direct to your doorstep — he's all ours! Last week we were talking about milia but this week it's that can-we-or-can't we question from Mia . . .

"I have really oily skin and I've read some articles that tell me that I would benefit from using a cleansing oil and then other articles that say to avoid oil at ALL costs and only use oil-free products?!?!? I'm so confused. Are they bad for me or will they help?"

Firstly Mia, we hear you. It can be a mighty confusing place out there. The thing to remember is that, just because you've got a certain skin type (in your case oily), it doesn't mean you're going to react the same as every single other oily-skinned person to a product or skincare routine. But there are general guidelines that you can follow and they include the fact that cleansing oils aren't bad for people that have oily skin. I know that sounds like it's going against everything that's right (oil: bad; oil-free: good) but it's actually true.

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If you're struggling to understand the point of serums, confused about the difference between day and night creams or want to know who cuts Dianna Agron's hair, you've come to the right place. Because each and every Monday we'll be answering all those niggling beauty questions you have.

From whether a discontinued product will make its way back to shelves to how you should switch up your skincare for long-haul flights, the choice is yours. You ask and we shall deliver. Within reason obviously. If you ask us for the pink unicorn you wanted when you were five, chances are we won't be able to help. Sorry.

How can you reach us? Tis easy. Just drop us an email at mail@bellasugar.com.au. So what are you waiting for? Whaddya want to know first? Hit us up with all your questions now!