Beauty Fix: How to heal hair ruined by dry weather, a self-tanner that doesn’t smell (honestly!) 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.

Nail polish often looks uneven because the natural texture of my nails shows through. Can I fix this?
The visual appearance of our naked nails is actually a significant indicator of our internal health, so it’s important to pay attention to what’s up when they’re bare. It’s normal to have ridges on your nails that run up and down lengthwise, and these are not a huge cause for concern. Buffing nails prior to applying polish may seem like a logical solution, but this can actually weaken your nails. A better solution is to use a ridge filling base coat, such as Joe Fresh Ridge Filler ($6, at Joe Fresh), in order to create a smooth, even surface for polish application. A quick coat of this before you apply your colored polish will balance everything out and make ridges a thing of the past.

I can’t stand the stench of self-tanner, but I want to have a bit of colour without actually tanning. Is there anything that I can use that won’t smell so unpleasant?
Even in the age of gradual self-tanners that take several days to build up colour on the skin, that telltale self-tanner smell lingers on. This is generally due to the fact that virtually all self-tanners use dihydroxyacetone (aka DHA) as the active ingredient that gives you a faux glow, whether it’s a full-force in mousse, spray or gel format or gradual in the form of a lotion applied daily. It’s your lucky day though, because Clarins has created a self-tanner that can be added to your usual facial moisturizer and applied once a day for a hint of colour—without streaking or even the slightest bit of stench. Add no more than three drops (seriously—this stuff is concentrated) of Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Booster ($30, sephora.ca) to any face cream you use, mix to ensure the two are blended well together and apply to your face as you normally would. That’s literally all it takes to wake up with a bit of a tan without the fuss of makeup! Tip: This product is suited to all skin tones, as it warms up all complexions. Lighter skin tones can start with a couple of drops and adjust their use accordingly. Darker skin tones can benefit from the standard dose of a few drops when battling any kind of ashiness from drier weather.

My hair is brittle and breaking from heat styling and dry weather. How can I increase the flexibility of my hair again?
I think we’re all a little nuts from this past winter, since it started quite early and gave little to no reprieve for months. Hair that’s dry from weather will only become more unruly and resistant to heat-styling, especially if moisture isn’t being put back in on a regular basis. Next time you’re out of the shower—and before you grab your blow dryer—coat your hair in a couple pumps of Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Ultimate Remedy Duo-Serum ($56, shuuemura.ca). This duo-chamber hair serum actually contains lipid oil extracted from lotus flowers on one side, and a ceramide-rich cream on the other. When mixed together and applied to hair, the ceramides fortifies hair in any weak areas that would be prone to breaking while the oil hydrates and protects hair. Consider it your new go-to heat protectant product.

What’s the best way to wear bright colours on my face?
When choosing a bright eyeshadow, lipstick or blush, it’s important to consider the formula and texture of the products. While matte products can ensure substantial colour payoff and are inherently bold and attention grabbing, a more luminous finish is the more modern way to wear bright, punchy pops of colour without being concerned about appearing garish. Sonia Kashuk Dewy Luxe Lip & Cheek Tint ($10, at Target Canada) is a liquid formula that can easily be blended onto lips and cheeks for a natural flush of colour that still has serious presence thanks to strong pigmentation. These tints are available in two vivid shades: “Charmed” (a practically-neon coral) and “Enchanted” (an orchid pink). The formula contains lychee extract for hydration, so it wears comfortably on cheeks and lips won’t look dried out within minutes of application.

I know it’s a runway trend to wear no mascara, but I’m not sure if it’s the best look for me. Is there a middle ground look between the two extremes?
Runway trends are just that: trends from runway shows. They’re not all necessarily suited for everyday life, but can definitely be adapted it to match your everyday style. If you’re a mascara fiend, then the no-mascara look is hard to embrace. However, if you want to test the waters, try using a mascara with a lighter look. M.A.C Studio Sculpt Lash ($19, maccosmetics.ca) has one of the most innovative brushes in that it’s essentially a half-brush, with criss-crossed bristles. This innovative brush allows you to build up (or tone down!) lashes with the creamy mascara formula. If you’re interested in taking a nod from the natural runway look, skip curling lashes and apply a single coat of this mascara. You’ll get an understated lash look that’s akin to the runway without forcing you to truly exit your mascara comfort zone.

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