Two pieces of beauty scoop worth your two minutes...

Although I’ve been covering the beauty industry for more than two decades, I don’t claim to be omniscient—I still learn from others too.  So here are a few product picks I recently swiped from other insiders (and think you'll like too)...

I’ve tried dozens of primers and tinted moisturizers that promise luminosity. But they’re often laced with shimmer that make my skin look older by sinking into and emphasizing pores and fine lines. One time I showed up at the office of my dermatologist, Neal Schultz, MD, wearing a radiance-boosting CC Cream, and he sighed in relief once the makeup was removed, saying, “Your skin looks so much better with that off.” However, I’ve just discovered a new duo that gives me the healthy glow promised (but not delivered) by those makeup products. Even better, they're not even makeup.

My 6 a.m. alarm (thank you very little, back-to-school schedule), combined with fall allergies and a fairly-regular evening glass of wine, have conspired to create chronic morning under-eye puffiness. So, I’ve been experimenting with treatments that specifically target tired, puffy eyes with promises of deflation, tightening, smoothing and brightening. Here are my three favorites.

As part of a regular series, I’ll be asking inspiring, in-the-know women (all 40+, of course) to share their best tips and favorite products. The point? As always, to find out what works. Today's beauty insider: Brenda Wu, General Manager of SkinCeuticals

My husband and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary earlier this month by taking a staycation in downtown Detroit. We checked into the new Foundation Hotel and made like tourists, combing the Cass Corridor and Woodward Avenue—and waving at Canada from the River. We also drove through Indian Village, visited Detroit Denim (women’s jeans are arriving soon!), downed martinis flanked by blue cheese olives at The Apparatus Room, and fell for (well. at least I did) a new candle line, fragrance collection, and beauty boutique—all homegrown.

All month long, I’m asking discerning beauty insiders to share their favorite hot-weather staples. Today’s expert: Janna Ronert, founder and CEO of IMAGE Skincare

All month long, I’m asking discerning beauty insiders to share their favorite hot-weather staples. Today’s expert: Kristen Comings, VP of Integrated Consumer Communications at L'Oreal Paris

My skin is not sensitive. But it is occasionally sensitized. That means it looks and feels like sensitive skin (red, flakey, sore), but the condition's temporary and self-inflicted—often the result of over-aggressive at-home exfoliating (or, in the winter, wind-burn). When this happens, I seek out skincare formulas that are gentle, soothing and low on active ingredients.

All month long, I’m asking discerning beauty insiders to share their favorite hot-weather staples. Today’s expert: June Jacobs, founder of the eponymous skincare collection