Beauty fix: How to protect your hair this summer, a shine-free foundation that actually works 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 exactly is a toning shampoo and what is it used for?
Toner is generally applied to hair that has been bleached in order to bring the colour down to the desired shade. A toning shampoo performs the function of a toner in a shampoo step to refresh and correct the tone of hair that has been succumbed to an undesired shade shift. John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Shampoo ($14, well.ca) works to tone hair colour by absorbing UV light and emitting white-blue light so that brassy tones are eliminated and your hair is returned to its former salon-fresh shade in as little as three washes.

How do I protect my hair from overexposure in the sun and keep it healthy?
Our overall efforts related to a healthy life usually incorporate intense hydration and sun protection—hair is no exception to these efforts. Keep hair hydrated with moisturizing hair masques and be sure to protect hair when in the sun either by donning a hat or using products that contain sun filters in their formulations. If you want to rewind the clock, treat your hair as you would for your face and make sure you’re treating hair to beneficial ingredients! Schwarzkopf BC Hair Therapy Time Restore Rejuvenating Spray ($18, at salons) is a leave-in spray that contains coenzyme Q10, a well-known anti-aging mainstay, which stimulates production of two keratin types that usually slow down in natural production over time. This spray will help hair remain shiny, voluminous and healthy.

I know luminous foundation can look natural, but I find it looks greasy in photography. What’s a lightweight, photo-friendly option to wear this summer?
If a glowy, light-reflective fluid foundation isn’t your favoured finish of the season, you have many alternatives that will provide you with less flashback and weightless wear. A slew of velvet-finish foundations have hit the market, but don’t assume that “velvet” directly translates to “heavy.” The ultra-lightweight texture and soft matte finish of Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup SPF 15 ($48, thebay.com) results in a shine-free finish that appears natural in photography. This foundation holds its own in warmer weather and is conveniently housed in a plastic bottle, making it travel-friendly this summer.

What is mineral sunscreen? How does it differ from the usual sunscreen?
Classic sunscreen contains chemicals (usually oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate, among many others!) that are applied onto the skin that absorb the sun’s rays instead of our skin doing the absorbing, while mineral sunscreen (titanium oxide and zinc oxide) protects us by sitting atop of our skin and reflects the sun’s rays away. Mineral sunscreen is usually favoured because of the lack of chemical absorption involved in its basic functionality when protecting skin from sun damage. It’s also photostable, which means the active ingredients don’t break down in light. If this sounds like your ideal sun protection type, liberally apply Kiss My Face Mineral Sun Spray Lotion SPF 30 ($19, well.ca), which contains titanium dioxide and zinx oxide for protection, as well as safflower oil, green tea and vitamin E to nourish skin. Don’t forget to reapply throughout the day!

Do I need to include a primer in my beauty routine? Are there benefits in using one?
If your makeup wears well, you don’t necessarily need to use a primer, but you could invest in a product that does more for your skin than just prepare it for makeup application. If you choose carefully, you could incorporate a product that primes skin and improves the state of your skin simultaneously. Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin ($115, thebay.com) is a light pink fluid that is loaded with beneficial extracts to perfect skin with continued use. Two newly-discovered plant extracts work in tandem to better your skin; longoza extract works to improve firmness and radiance while opilia extract diminishes dark spots and redness. Refined mineral powders in the formula allows the skin to reflect light and appear more radiant upon initial application for an instant brightening effect without compromising the formula’s ability to be absorbed for the most benefit to skin’s overall health. Ultimately, that makes this the overachieving skincare-turned-primer that you’ll reach for day after day!

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