Beauty Fix: Tips to avoid flaky winter skin, how to finally embrace the marsala trend + more

I have a deep skin tone and find concealing dark circles just results in an ashy-looking undereye area. What am I doing wrong?
We’ve always been taught to use a concealer that’s a shade or two lighter than our skin tone to conceal the undereye area. This is usually in order to brighten a dark area, but it can result in an ashy appearance if you’re not correcting the darkness before concealing. You’re in luck though, because MAC Cosmetics just resurrected a once-limited-edition-but-now-permanent correcting duo that will quickly become a go-to product for anyone who is plagued by dark circles. MAC Studio Correct and Conceal Duo ($30, maccosmetics.ca) is two complementary correcting shades that can be mixed or used individually to cancel out darkness and brighten areas of the face. Bonus: the formula contains vitamins C, E and shea butter to nourish skin.

What’s are the best brushes to use to contour and highlight with?
You’ll require two brushes to do this, so a double-ended brush seems like good sense, no? Try Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Face Brush ($43, sephora.ca), which features an angled synthetic brush on one end for contouring and a domed synthetic brush on the other end for highlighting (conveniently labeled “shade” and “light” in the event that you forget!). The best part of these super-soft synthetic brushes is that they’re easy to use with powders, creams and liquids, so you’re not limited to any particular contouring or highlighting formulas.

What’s a way to embrace the marsala trend?
When Pantone announced marsala as the colour of 2015, it was a welcomed shade of warmth to get us through winter and into spring. Warm up your look with Sephora+Pantone Universe Marsala Layering Lip Collection ($35, sephora.ca), a set of flattering brown shades that can be mixed and matched to create a slew of looks varying from natural nude to a full-on ‘90s lip, making this set a neutral lip lover’s dream. The formula of each chubby lip crayon is loaded with hydrating and plumping hyaluronic filling spheres, as well as antioxidant wonder resveratrol to fight free radical damage.

How can I reinvigorate my skin after a cold?
Energizing skin after a cold or the flu can help you feel like your normal self again, so keep Royal Apothic’s cutely tinned Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask ($66, murale.ca) on hand this winter. The tin contains 6 individual tubes (so the product doesn’t dry out – pretty clever) of a kaolin clay-based mask that features hyaluronic acid, coffee, and a slew of antioxidants to bring your skin back to life after a rough stretch. Apply the mask and enjoy the revitalizing sensation, then wet fingertips and massage the mask into your skin for an exfoliating effect before rinsing skin clean, leaving you with smooth, refreshed skin.

How can I get defined lashes without spending time separating my lashes?
Maximizing each and every lash is a time-consuming undertaking; spare yourself the hassle of combing through lashes one by one and grab a tube of Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara ($10, well.ca) instead. The curved shaped of the brush cups your lashes from root to tip, allowing you to reach your corner lashes effortlessly while encouraging lashes to stay curled, and the brush has 10 layers of molded plastic bristles to help you define each and every lash for a full, fanned-out effect without spending too much time in front of the mirror. Bonus: The inky formula wears well without smudging or smearing, yet still removes easily with your usual cleanser.

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