Beauty Fix: How to heal your feet after a long night of wearing heels, a new trick for applying liquid liner 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.

I really want standout nails this holiday season. What’s something different I can try?
If you feel like you’ve tried every colour out there and are still committed to making a lasting impression with your manicure, explore adornment options! Let me direct your attention to Dior Diorific Jewel Manicure Duo ($39, thebay.com). The duo kit comes with a shimmery light-gold polish that is festive and gorgeous all on its own, but the second bottle in the kit contains translucent crystal micro-pearls to add to your nails—or single accent nail—just before the polish is fully set. The finished look is a refined rendition of a caviar bead manicure, thanks to the tiny size and translucent, light-catching nature of the crystal pearls. The kit also comes with a tray and funnel, so you’ll be able to avoid wasting any precious pearls, making this a duo you’ll reach for plenty for special occasions to come.

I have a persistent dry spot on my lips that makes wearing matte lipstick difficult. Can you suggest a good way to exfoliate my lips or get rid of this dryness?
Matte lipstick in winter weather makes sense stylistically speaking, but in terms of functionality it can be a challenge to pull off without a bit of effort and prep. Lip exfoliation is a great habit to get into year-round, but it’s especially imperative in cooler months since our lips become dry, flaky and chapped that much faster. A thrifty way to exfoliate lips is with a dampened towel. Simply wet the corner of a face cloth with warm water and buff your lips, focusing on any dry spots you’ve noticed develop. You’ll be amazed at the difference this step alone makes. Now that you have smooth lips, add moisture back into them! Do so with a high-performance lip balm with beneficial ingredients, like Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue ($5, at drugstores). This little tube is sure to find its way into every coat pocket you have this winter, as the formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus to soothe lips and help them draw in and retain moisture. After the balm has absorbed, blot your lips and carry on with your matte lipstick application!

I’m interested in more natural anti-aging skincare products, but I’m not sure of the effectiveness. Any guidance?
While science and technological advancements in skincare are completely fascinating and usually high in efficacy and results, that doesn’t necessarily imply that natural skincare is lacking efficacy. People opt in to natural skincare for a multitude of reasons, mostly because they want to know exactly what they’re putting on their skin, which is essentially absorbed into their bodies. Regardless of your reasoning, just be sure to scope out the ingredients and understand their impact on your skin and how the efficacy of those ingredients aligns with your skincare objectives. If you’re interested in preventing fine lines at a cellular level, try Pure + Simple Cellular Repair Cream ($44, pureandsimple.ca). Antioxidant protection for skin is offered in the form of strawberry, date and pomegranate extract, and moisturization is led by rose geranium and Bulgarian rose oils.

Is there an easy way to get the hang of applying liquid liner?
While the whole “practice makes perfect” line applies to this scenario, the amount of practice that it takes for one person to get used to applying liquid liner versus the next is incredibly variable, so let’s all just keep that in mind next time we’re tidying up a botched liquid liner wing. Applying liquid liner flawlessly doesn’t have to be the makeup equivalent of climbing Everest. It’s just about finding a liner that you’re comfortable using and understanding how to maneuver the product. For beginners, avoid liquid liner that involves a brush applicator, as these liner types usually involve a learning curve all their own. For a boost of confidence, try Sephora Collection Smart Liner ($17, sephora.ca), which is ergonomically designed to be suitable for left-handed or right-handed users, allowing you to get a comfy grip on the liner to guide it along your lashline with as little awkward contorting as possible. The formula itself is very pigmented, applies smoothly and has excellent longevity. If you’ve ever felt inept with liquid liner before, give this one a try!

Is there a way to soothe the pain from wearing heels?
‘Tis the season for heels, and whether they’re a subtle kitten-height or kicking it sky-high your poor feet will feel the impact—literally and figuratively. After a night of being on your feet, kick off your heels and stretch your feet. Rolling them around on a tennis ball and curling your toes in an attempt to pick up anything off the floor are both helpful in releasing tension. It’s a sound idea to keep some basics stocked during the holiday season, such as Elastoplast SOS Blister plasters ($6, at drugstores), which will help you push through the holiday heel marathon by cushioning any existing blisters. These latex-free, waterproof adhesives are available in two sizes, so you can address different areas of your feet (heels and toes being the usual victims of foot friction), and best of all, they’re nearly invisible. Another idea to heavily consider would be gel pad inserts for your shoes, such as Dr. Scholls for Her Ball of Foot Cushions ($8, well.ca), which can really help compensate for a venue or home that doesn’t have sufficient padding in the floor. Be kind to your feet, they carry you everywhere!

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