Beauty Fix: How to wear black lipstick, the best way to DIY an eyeshadow palette 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.

Is it actually possible to repair split ends without cutting my hair?
If you’re attached to every bit of your hair length, the desire to hold off from making a cut can be strong—even when split ends are everywhere. That being said, there isn’t a way to fully repair split ends. However, if you’re interested in minimizing the appearance of split ends between haircuts, that can certainly be achieved with the right products. Tresemmé Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner ($7 each, well.ca) contains positively charged polymers in a gel base that’s attracted to your negatively-charged split ends. This seals the split ends and provides a smoother appearance of each strand—while allowing you to wait out your next haircut with sleek, not scraggly, hair.

What type of foundation would you recommend for dry skin?
The dull nature of dry skin calls for ample moisturizer topped with a luminous finish foundation. So before you apply foundation, draw moisture into dry skin and, more importantly, retain moisture by using a product that contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, such as Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ ($32, sephora.ca). Allow it to absorb a couple of minutes prior to applying a touch of Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Illuminating Foundation ($62, sephora.ca). This foundation is ideal for reflecting light in order to illuminate shadowy areas and give skin a healthy overall glow—an ideal look for anyone with dry skin concerns.

I keep seeing black lipstick everywhere. Is there a softer way to wear this trend?
Dark lips have become increasingly popular as the ‘90s trend has come around, and it’s definitely not for the faint at heart. But don’t dismiss a trend simply because you don’t feel comfortable wearing it as depicted on a runway or in an editorial shoot. Try a softer colour, such as Anna Sui Lipstick in “001” ($29, murale.ca). This looks like a black lipstick in the tube, but when dabbed onto lips it reads as a plum stain that you can deepen to your liking. Alternatively, you can darken any existing lipstick colour you have by mixing or layering it with this lipstick for a moodier rendition of your favourite shade.

I like the convenience of eyeshadow palettes, but I usually use up a couple shades and leave the rest untouched. What’s a more economical way to create a palette without the wasted shadow?
It does feel like a waste when you hit the pan on an eyeshadow colour you adore and would love to replace right away—but you still have the rest of a palette that remains untouched. Try a customizable eyeshadow palette system like Revlon Colorstay Shadowlinks ($4 each, at drugstores), which allows you to purchase individual shades and then link them together to create your own palette. The shades vary from neutrals to brights, with satin, matte and shimmery finishes available, and all come at a very fair price point, making your dream shadow palette very much a reality that’s within reach!

How do I add definition and hold to my brows without adding shine? Brow gel just doesn’t look that natural to me.
Brows are certainly essential to address, but they are also incredibly personal: What works on one person may not work for the next, If brow pencils and a stroke of brow gel isn’t your cup of tea, hit two birds with one stone and enlist a multitasking product to achieve the look you’re after. Laura Mercier Brow Definer ($24, at Holt Renfrew) can be brushed into and through brows for added definition. The soft, waxy consistency provides soft hold without added shine, for a much more subtle finish and natural-looking sheen as opposed to gel-like shine.

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