Beauty Fix: How to become an eye makeup pro, your best bet for velvet skin and more

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.

What can I use to give my skin a velvety finish without excess coverage?
A very big trend in beauty for several seasons has been different finishes for skin, be it radiant and luminous, matte, velvety (like you’re after) or some gorgeous middle ground between two extremes. Matte or velvety skin does entail some element of high coverage, usually courtesy of a foundation. If you’re not in the market for full coverage foundation, then opt for a velvet-finish setting powder, such as Guerlain Les Voilettes ($66, at Guerlain boutiques). This compact contains a lightweight powder that offers extremely minimal coverage—though it will extend the wear of any base makeup, should you decide to wear any. And thanks to its velvet finish, it will also help keep oiliness under wraps so that you can continue to look naturally flawless.

Can you recommend a moisture mask I can use this winter? My skin is flaking away from dryness.
Everyone’s feeling the sting of the wind as we head into the aggressively arctic days. While we may be able to bundle ourselves in down-filled coats, our faces bear the brunt of this brutal weather—so turn to a moisture mask such as Fresh Crème Ancienne Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask ($150, sephora.ca) for some support. Honey has been having a bit of a limelight moment in the North American beauty scene, but it’s also one of the most used at-home ingredients (for centuries now!) as far as natural skincare goes, This is due to honey’s antimicrobial properties, as well as its ability to absorb and retain moisture. In addition to honey, this mask contains seabuckthorn oil and meadowfoam seed oil, both rich in fatty acids that nourish skin, as well as shea butter and vitamin E. That’s a ton of hydration in one jar, so regular use through the winter will help your skin immensely!

Do I have to contour and highlight? Is one better than the other?
This boils down to personal preference, ultimately, as well as the end result you’re interested in. If you are trying to add more structure to your face, contouring and highlighting skills are incredibly practical. If you’re simply concerned with bringing light to your face, highlighting is more than sufficient. Taking a powder highlighter, such as M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish in “Lightscapade” ($35, maccosmetics.com), an opalescent beige shade with fine shimmer, and dusting it on the high points of your face (emphasizing the bridge of the nose, the cheekbones, tear ducts and brow bones) will open up the face in a more natural-looking and ethereal manner. Tip: make sure to prep your skin with plenty of moisturizer prior to highlighting, as powders and creams containing light-reflective particles don’t sit too prettily on dry, dehydrated skin.

What’s a new shade I can try for my cheeks? I’m in a bit of a makeup rut.
While it’s wonderful to have reliable products that are foolproof that you’re comfortable using, there’s something to be said for switching up your usual routine and trying a new shade of any product type every so often. Look around your environment for a bit of inspiration—for instance, the Pantone colour of the year can definitely serve as a beauty jump-off point. 2014’s “Radiant Orchid” is a vibrant shade of purple that wears well on all areas of the face. For cheeks, try Benefit Lollitint Lip & Cheek Stain ($36, sephora.ca). It’s a new orchid-pink stain with a slightly milky texture that fairs well when blending in to cheeks. Tapping the lightweight fluid onto your cheeks for a beautiful flush is as easy as can be and will pull you out of your makeup rut in no time!

How do I figure out the best way to apply eyeshadow to my particular eye shape?
As the saying goes, if you don’t know, you better ask somebody, but alternatively, you could just turn to a fantastically instructional eyeshadow palette, Smashbox’s Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette ($58, sephora.ca), for a bit of insight and guidance. This palette is absurdly informative for anyone who has always wanted to know the best way to emphasize their eye shade, but never really understood how placing different colours in different areas can drastically alter the way an eye looks. A detailed guide is included with the palette that addresses six different eye shapes and the best techniques to achieve a day look, night look and defined look for each, using the colours in the palette. The shadows themselves are incredibly wearable since they’re neutral in nature and are both shimmery and matte. Basically, this is a highly functional palette for beginners or pros alike, but especially handy for anyone taking their makeup skills to the next level.

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