Beauty fix: 5 minor makeup changes that will make a huge difference from head to toe

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question we haven’t answered? Email us at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com or ask away in the comments below.

I want lush lashes like the celebrities on the red carpet. What’s the best way to emphasize my eyelashes for a panoramic effect?
If you’ve ever caught yourself staring at someone’s lashes and wondering how they achieved such a wide-eyed look, a thoughtful approach to mascara application probably played a part. You’ve likely heard of the makeup artist trick to bend a mascara wand at a 45-degree angle in order to give yourself a bit more leverage to get closer to the lash line and control the direction of your lashes. It was only a matter of time until a brand took that concept to heart! Lancôme Grandiôse Wide-Angle Fan Effect Mascara ($35, sephora.ca) features an inky formula that is applied to lashes with a unique (and patented!) swan-neck wand that allows you to reach each and every corner without awkwardly contorting your hands when applying. The elastomer-molded brush itself is smaller in size in order to achieve precise application for lifted, curled and volumized lashes.

I don’t feel like I’m getting the most of my skincare products. Is there a way to ensure that I do?
Consistency is the most essential part of a skincare routine. Regardless of whether you’re using high-end or drugstore skincare products, maintaining routine is the surefire way to yield positive results from your efforts. You can layer products in order to maximize the impact of everything you use, and adding an immunity booster like Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate ($78, sephora.ca) can help increase your skin’s defense against environmental stressors while increasing the efficacy of all products applied after this concentrate. The formula contains glucan, which supports the skin’s healing process and immunity function, making it excellent to use in tandem with any other skincare products you use.

What kind of foundation is best suited for mature skin?
Unless you’re facing very oily skin, anyone with mature skin is better off avoiding powder formulations since they can settle in fine lines and pores. Try looking for a foundation with beneficial ingredients to improve the condition of skin with continued use, like Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 25 ($54, sephora.ca). This weightless foundation formula is effectively a serum-infused fluid that works to lift and firm the contours of the face while gliding onto skin with ease, blending in for a natural, radiant finish with a bonus of sun protection built in to the formula.

What can I do to freshen up feet when switching shoes at the end of the day?
Freshening up feet after a day in closed-toe shoes can be a substantial challenge without a full-blown scrub-down, but rest assured it can be done. While there are sprays, creams and the sort, wipes probably offer the most discreet ability to deodorize quickly and effectively, so stashing a pack of Avon Foot Works Deodorizing Foot Wipes ($8, avon.ca) in your desk or bag is a sound decision. The wipes are soaked in a solution full of antimicrobial and antibacterial ingredients to eradicate odour-causing bacteria, as well as aloe vera, chamomile and panthenol, which soothe and repair skin.

Is it true that colouring my hair can improve the condition of my hair?
Generally speaking, yes, as long as you’re selective about the hair colour you use, hair can become shinier and smoother from colouring your hair. Avoiding ammonia in hair dye you choose is always advisable, as ammonia is very damaging and drying to the hair cuticle in the colouring process. Garnier Olia Hair Colour ($17, well.ca) is an excellent choice for anyone who wants extra hydration from an at-home hair colour kit, as it’s an oil-based formula that still manages to cover greys without the addition of ammonia, all while smoothing the hair cuticle for maximum shine, softness and dimensional colour. Bonus: the dye doesn’t reek of chemicals and the formula is a drip-free creamy consistency.

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