Beauty Fix: Why you should consider using peels, how to make curly lashes last longer 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.

My eyeshadow seems to be fading fast in this humidity, but long-wearing formulas dry out my lids. How can I get my usual shadow to stay put longer?
As the mercury continues to rise and we creep towards impossible temperatures, we have to do whatever possible to make sure our face doesn’t slide off after mere minutes outside. While long-wear formulas can be extremely effective in staying put, they do dry out and dehydrating the skin in effort to reduce oil on the surface that causes makeup to shift. Instead, try smoothing on a thin layer of eyeshadow primer, such as Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($24, narscosmetics.ca) prior to applying any eye makeup. This eye primer, which is enriched with an antioxidant rice extract, uses a polymer and mineral powder blend to ensure that your eye makeup (cream, liquid, powder, pencil) is anchored effectively for hours on end, even if you’re breaking a sweat.

I’m interested in experimenting with lip colour, but I’m still pretty attached to my clear lip balm. How can I ease into this?
No need to be too apprehensive about adding a little colour to your face. It’s one of the easiest ways to change up your look and can completely boost your mood with a single swipe of a wand! If you really aren’t ready for a matte, opaque pout, try Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm ($9, at drugstores). The name says it all—it really is a liquid lip balm! The formula is packed with vitamin E and avocado oil, so your lips won’t be dried out, but you’ll still have glossy shine and a healthy dose of colour to keep things exciting! I do believe that’s what we refer to as a win-win situation.

I have short eyelashes that like to droop. What can I do to keep them curly all day without relying on false lashes?
Reaching for falsies daily isn’t entirely necessary to get the curled lashes your heart desires. It’s simply a matter of finding the right kind of tool to help make the most of your own lashes! Behold Tweezerman’s Super Curl Eyelash Curler ($9, tweezerman.ca), which is designed to accommodate every lash on the curler pad without pinching, and is not made of metal, meaning it can be heated up briefly (with a quick blast of a blow dryer) in order to really impart a long-term curling effect on your lashes. Tip: waterproof mascaras tend to hold curl better than regular mascara, if you’re really wanting to hang onto your lashes’ newfound curves.

I’m on the hunt for a photogenic foundation to wear for my wedding. What should I consider when looking for such a product?
In today’s market, there are a slew of foundations to choose from, so it’s a very daunting hunt to embark upon at times! You’re inundated with options, so allow me to point out a few things to keep in mind when deciding what’s best for your face. It’s a huge day and you’re very much in the limelight, so it’s essential to ensure the shade is a correct match for your skin. The foundation should blend seamlessly into your neck and jaw when swatched on the skin. Consider how your skin tone varies across your body if your dress shows more décolleté, shoulders or back. Pay particular attention to the undertones of the foundation to ensure that it works with your skin’s undertones. The biggest tip for any bride-to-be is to avoid foundation that contains sunscreen because it creates a flashback effect when flash photography is involved. Usually SPF is listed as titanium dioxide on the ingredients of a foundation label—so the farther down that ingredient appears on the label, the better off you’ll be in front of a flash bulb! A foundation that is a favourite for many brides due to the weightless feel and effortless finish of the formula—as well as its flawless appearance in photographs—is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($66, at Holt Renfrew).

Should I be incorporating a daily peel into my skincare routine?
Peels are excellent at removing dead skin, which allows any skincare you apply after the peel to sink in and absorb more effectively. They may not be ideal for sensitive skin, but it really depends on what sort of ingredients are in the formula being used. If you’re using a peel as a component in an anti-aging skincare regimen, it’s optimal to look for ingredients such as antioxidants. Antioxidants are necessary as we get older because our bodies produce fewer and fewer antioxidants naturally, so adding them back to the skin whenever we can is always advisable, as they are necessary to neutralize the effects of free radicals. One bi-weekly peel to try is Vine Vera Resveratrol Merlot Refining Peeling ($146, vinevera.com). This unique, wine-inspired formula is enriched with Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in grapes, which is known to stimulate collagen synthesis while also hydrating, lifting and firming your skin.

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