FASHION Magazine

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 can I use to give my skin a velvety finish without excess coverage?
A very big trend in beauty for several seasons has been different finishes for skin, be it radiant and luminous, matte, velvety (like you’re after) or some gorgeous middle ground between two extremes. Matte or velvety skin does entail some element of high coverage, usually courtesy of a foundation. If you’re not in the market for full coverage foundation, then opt for a velvet-finish setting powder, such as Guerlain Les Voilettes ($66, at Guerlain boutiques). This compact contains a lightweight powder that offers extremely minimal coverage—though it will extend the wear of any base makeup, should you decide to wear any. And thanks to its velvet finish, it will also help keep oiliness under wraps so that you can continue to look naturally flawless.

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.

I have mature skin and primers dry out my eyelids a little too much. What do I do if I’m still concerned about my shadow creasing?
As we mature, concerns change from preventing oily eyelids to doing whatever possible to keep our lids from drying out. Thankfully, not all primers are created equal and there is indeed a way to prep your eyelids, keep them hydrated and also tackle any fine lines that may have formed over time. Urban Decay, a brand that’s practically synonymous with eye primers, has created Anti-aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($28, sephora.ca), and it’s just what dry lids need. With continued use, the formulation reduces signs of aging and smoothes the skin’s surface thanks to brown algae extract that increases the skin’s hydro-lipidic barrier. At the same time, a peptide and ceramide blend repairs age-related skin damage. Blending a dot of this primer over your lids prior to shadow application will have your makeup crease-free for 24 hours.

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.

I’ve tried to use cake eyeliner before but it never says put. Any tips on application?
Cake eyeliner is a delightfully tidy alternative to its liquid counterparts, and it can be particularly useful for working into your lash line to fake some volume and lusciousness. I don’t necessarily have application tips, but rather an alternative suggestion of what to dampen your cake liner with. If you’ve been using water, you have probably discovered that the finding the perfect ratio can be a challenge: too much water obviously compromises how pigmented the liner will be upon application. However, Laura Mercier Tightline Activator ($25, sephora.ca) is a tiny dropper bottle of fluid that contains polymers that are designed to help your cake liner adhere and stay put on your inner eyelid rims. A drop or two of this fluid will transform any cake liner into a long-lasting look.

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.

I have fair skin and light eyes, which I would love to accentuate with makeup but I find that a lot of eyeliner shades look harsh. What colour would you recommend I use?
The last thing you want is a dash of much-too-dark liner that overwhelms the face. Softer variations of brown, charcoal and blue (think: taupe, slate blue or light-grey shades) can be very appealing options for anyone with fair features. Clarins Crayon Khôl in “Taupe” ($26, thebay.com) is bound to become a favourite due to its soft texture and built-in blending brush—meaning you can diffuse the colour as much or as little as you like, making it flexible for day and night use. Also consider adding a bit of iridescence or shimmer: makeup with light-reflective properties is excellent at brightening up appearances.

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.

I really want standout nails this holiday season. What’s something different I can try?
If you feel like you’ve tried every colour out there and are still committed to making a lasting impression with your manicure, explore adornment options! Let me direct your attention to Dior Diorific Jewel Manicure Duo ($39, thebay.com). The duo kit comes with a shimmery light-gold polish that is festive and gorgeous all on its own, but the second bottle in the kit contains translucent crystal micro-pearls to add to your nails—or single accent nail—just before the polish is fully set. The finished look is a refined rendition of a caviar bead manicure, thanks to the tiny size and translucent, light-catching nature of the crystal pearls. The kit also comes with a tray and funnel, so you’ll be able to avoid wasting any precious pearls, making this a duo you’ll reach for plenty for special occasions to come.

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.

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.

I heat-style my hair more in the winter because I wash it in the morning and don’t want to head out with damp hair in cold weather. How do I protect my hair against this increased contact with heat tools?
As soon as the temperature is low enough to freeze hair in the duration of a short stroll outside, air-drying season is officially over and blow-drying becomes necessary. Hopefully you’re in the habit of using a heat-protectant spray whenever you decide to turn on the hot tools, but if you’re especially concerned with heat damage switch up your shampoo and conditioner. Pantene Pro-V Heat Shield Shampoo and Conditioner ($6 each, at drugstores) is geared to defending your hair in each step of the cleansing and styling process. This shampoo and conditioner duo each contain a heat-activated oil that protects against heat styling up to 450 degrees, making it your go-to every time you’re planning on breaking out the hair dryer and flat iron. Using this shampoo and condition in conjunction with a thermal protectant spray should keep hair in tip top shape all year!

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.

How can I stand out in a sea of red lips this holiday season?
If there’s one thing that we know, it’s that there’s nothing more classically festive (and frankly, quite predictable) than a red lip during the holiday season. If you’re the type of person who is more comfortable going against the grain when it comes to beauty, try a reddish lip instead. Dior’s Diorific lipstick in “Winter” ($40, at Dior counters), which is a berry shade with a hint of metallic gold sheen that catches the light, really sings when paired with a violet shade. (Which, by the way, is another shade of lipstick I highly recommend as an alternate to red lips.) Try the two shades together for an ombré look, with the berry shade applied all over the lips with violet blended in from the perimetre of the lips towards the centre. The result is a stunning deep-fuschia, which will definitely set you apart from the red lips that will be everywhere this holiday season.

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.

I want to overhaul my beauty bag with a new set of makeup brushes. What should I look for in terms of brushes that will help create a natural look and finish?
Cosmetics are so effective in enhancing your features and brushes are an excellent way of using and manipulating different products to further boost what you already have. Go beyond traditional brushes and try something new with M.A.C’s Masterclass Brush Collection (from $30, maccosmetics.com). These brushes—which, admittedly, look like a cross between a hairbrush and a toothbrush—may be intimidating at first, but are a game changer once you get them in your hands! The super-soft synthetic bristles are tightly packed to achieve a very smooth finish when applying cream products. They’re also fantastic for packing on powder pigment (with a heavier hand and buffing motion) or diffusing colour for the softest, most natural finish (by using a gentle, sweeping motion). And thanks to the ergonomic handles, these brushes are extremely user-friendly for anyone, from makeup novice to makeup maven.

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.

I don’t have undereye circles, but sometimes I have puffiness that creates a shadow. What can I do about this?
Undereye puffiness and swelling is a buildup of fluid in the undereye area. This less-than-slightly scene can be caused by a number of things, including but not limited to irregular sleep patterns, allergies, high sodium consumption (this will probably make you rethink topping up your soy sauce the next time you have sushi!), and alcohol consumption. Some fine-tuning of your lifestyle can help alleviate undereye puffiness and swelling, but in the meantime, Garnier Nutritionist Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller ($22, well.ca) can help you! This undereye roller encourages circulation to the area thanks to the cooling sensation of the metal rollerball, and the tinted gel formula dispensed with each roll contains caffeine and lemon extract, in order to brighten and stimulate the area, concealing darkness without creasing!

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.

How do I change up my go-to dark manicure?
Dark nails are forever favoured during fall and winter—and that’s not about to change—but if you find yourself a little bored with burgundy, by all means, switch it up! Opt for applying a navy shade as your base and then reach for a layering polish that looks like a party in a bottle, such as Essie “On A Silver Platter” ($10, at drugstores). This particular shade from the Essie Encrusted Treasures holiday collection is a pearlescent gold base with holographic, violet glitter suspended throughout the bottle. The pearlescent gold polish comes to life when layered over a darker base shade (so ridiculously reflective!) and the glitter adds dimension that pushes this manicure into nail art territory quite effortlessly.

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.

I bought a bright blush on a whim and it’s much more pigmented than I thought. How do I apply it?
Working with intense pigmentation can involve a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re used to a more forgiving formula. When dealing with a mega pigmented blush, such as a mighty magenta shade like Nars Blush in “Coeur Battant” ($32, narscosmetics.com), it all boils down to how you apply the product. Take your blush brush and tap it very lightly in the blush and tap it lightly on the back of your hand to remove a bit of the pigment. Now you can apply the blush to your face as you usually would. Step back and evaluate the colour payoff and repeat this process until you’re pleased with the outcome. The idea here is that it’s easier to gradually add colour to the face instead of inundating your cheeks with a bold shade that would overwhelm your whole look.