Beauty Fix: The dos and don’ts of summertime beauty, the secret to fuller lashes 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 or ask away in the comments below.

What should I keep in mind when buying at-home hair colour?
At-home hair colouring is a very cost-effective alternative to salon hair colour visits, especially if you need frequent root touchups. Look for a formula that is easy to apply with minimal mess, like L’Oreal Preference Mousse Absolue Hair Colour ($22, well.ca), which is a mousse colour formula that mixes together as it’s dispensing. Given the unique dispensing system, this at-home hair colour is actually reusable, making it ideal for root touchups or a second full application, depending on your hair length. The resulting hair colour is multi-tonal with full root coverage, giving your hair dimension and shine.

How can I boost the volume of my lashes?
Without committing to lash extensions or wearing false lashes on the regular, finding a suitable mascara formula is your best bet to add volume to lashes. If that’s still not giving you the level of volume you’re looking for, try adding Essence Volumizing Lash Powder ($4, at Shoppers Drug Mart) into your mascara routine. Apply a coat of your usual mascara, use the included spoolie to add synthetic mini-fibres to your lashes while the first mascara coat is still wet (this gives the fibres something to stick to), and then top off with another coat of mascara. Even the teeniest lashes are given a considerable volume boost!

Is it a faux pas to wear fragrance to the beach?
It’s all about personal preference, but you certainly don’t want to be the person wearing a heavy eau de parfum that leaves a fussy scent trail along the shore. If you’re contemplating wearing fragrance in the heat, opt for a lighter version of your usual scent, generally indicated by terms like “l’eau” or “splash” in the name. If that’s not an option, then try a warm summery blend like Philosophy Sunshine Grace ($55, thebay.com). Notes of frangipani, orange blossom and tiare flower are easy on the nose (and the noses around you!), while bergamot lends brightness to the blend that will tie this wearable scent to this summer memories.

What sort of eye makeup can I wear at the pool without worrying about it melting down my face?
There’s a lot of opportunity to incorporate colour into your summer beauty look, and while a pool look will inevitably be pared down, a dash of brightness can go a long way. Apply Make Up For Ever Aqua Matic in “I-22” ($25, sephora.ca) along your top lash line and smudge out for a diffused pop of colour. Waterproof mascara is optional, but curling your lashes provides plenty of eye-opening results. The creamy shadow pencil can be worn as a liner or shadow, especially because of the built-in sharpener in the end of the automatic pencil. Even as a cream texture, the waterproof formula will stay put in heat, so no need to fret about smearing or transferring.

How do after-sun products differ from my usual moisturizer?
While moisturizer is obviously beneficial to skin that’s become dehydrated due to excess sun exposure, it doesn’t do much in the way of soothing and repairing skin in a timely manner. After-sun products contain beneficial ingredients specifically geared towards rehabbing skin to a healthy state. Dermalogica After Sun Repair ($45, dermalogica.ca) cools skin down, reducing inflammation and redness with the help of chamomile, lavender, yucca and cucumber. This formula actually contains Japanese alder extract, which is key for warding off free radicals and repairing damaged DNA after sun exposure, making this after-sun balm a worthwhile addition to your summer product arsenal.

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