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.

I usually wear tinted moisturizer that has SPF in it, which tends to hold up well on my skin, but that’s not the case in the midst of a heat wave! Any alternatives you can suggest for similar coverage with SPF?
Staying power of makeup is definitely put to the test in times of high humidity and heat! You may be experiencing issues with the longevity of your makeup for two reasons: your tinted moisturizer probably isn’t matte in its finish and your skin is inevitably producing more oil and/or sweat. Luminous and radiant finishes in products are incredibly appealing and flattering, but these product finishes can impact wearability during times of extreme heat. If you’re looking for light coverage with a sun protection component and a great mattifying effect on the skin, try L’Oréal Magic Liquid Powder Bare Skin Perfecting Makeup ($19, at drugstores). This lightweight fluid, best applied with fingers, glides on and blends out effortlessly and sets to a velvety matte finish on the skin without ever appearing heavy on the skin. For a mattifying foundation, that is some serious magic!

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.

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 achieve that stained lip look I used to get after eating a popsicle as a kid?
I see I’m not the only person who has been thinking back to yesteryear for a little beauty inspiration! You’re in luck, actually, because there are different ways of achieving a glossy stain, but one of the best formulas that comes in shades that you’d almost exclusively associate with frozen treats are Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ new Lip Tar Stained Gloss ($21, sephora.ca, shown in “New Wave”). This jelly-like formula applies as a translucent lip colour and leaves behind a generously pigmented stain on your lips as the glossiness wears off throughout the day—making the effect akin to your childhood post-popsicle pout.

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 protect my hair from sun damage? I can’t really live in a hat all summer.
Hat hair is so not the look, but sun protection definitely is! It’s important to protect ourselves from UV damage year-round, but in the summer, our hair can take a serious thrashing. Excessive sun exposure without protection can fade hair colour and make hair dry and brittle. Step up your UV game with the L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Solar Sublime range ($20-29, lorealprofessionnel.com), which is a shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioning spray that all contain Mexoryl. This ingredient is a UV filter that forms a protective film around hair fibres to make your hair more resilient to sun exposure. A necessary addition to your sun protection arsenal this summer!

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’m going to be on some long-haul flights this summer and want to know how to prevent my lips from drying out and flaking. Any pointers?
Determining a steadfast method of avoiding full-fledged plane dehydration has been my objective for quite some time now! First, keep up on your fluids (which also means avoiding alcohol and caffeine) and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Then, bring in the heavy artillery: Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil ($49, sephora.ca). This oil is actually more akin to a gel formula and while it does leave your lips with a bit of shine when you apply it with the 24-karat gold-tip applicator, the benefits of this formula go far beyond the glossiness! The treatment oil contains 14 essential oils (including lavender, rose geranium and orange), 10 plant oils (all lipid-rich, such as jojoba, olive and sweet almond), as well as vitamins A, C, E and B5. This stacked formula is nothing to scoff at and it works wonders for in-flight lip moisturization!

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 make sure I’ve properly removed sunscreen after a day at the beach?
It’s normal to be concerned about removing sunscreen, because any leftover residue can cause breakouts or clog pores. Whether it’s a manual face cleansing brush or an electronic gadget that you reach for, facial cleansing brushes are excellent for really giving your face a good scrub. If you haven’t yet drank the Clarisonic kool-aid, this summer may be an excellent time to go for it. The Mia2 Skin Cleansing System ($175, sephora.ca) may seem a bit fussy because it takes an extra minute to use (literally), but the results are well worth it. The sonic frequency of the oscillating brush head in conjunction with your favourite mild liquid facial cleanser is highly effective in deep-cleaning your pores and leaving your face exfoliated—and free of any sunscreen residue. This encourages cell turnover and allows whatever skincare serums you apply afterward to sink in that much deeper. It’s also able to remove six times more makeup than manual cleansing, which means it’s a makeup lover’s best friend at the end of the day.

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 kind of mascara formula leads to more volume? I’m not in love with my current tube and am looking for a replacement.
As we’ve discussed before, finding the right mascara is a personal thing that involves many factors, such as your own lashes, mascara formula, mascara brush, application and the effect you’re looking to achieve. Generally, you’ll find that mascaras that aim to lengthen lashes have a wetter formula, while more voluminizing formulas are drier in consistency. A just-launched mascara with a drier consistency formula (which also means it will set faster and be less resistant to smudges) is Cover Girl Flamed Out Mascara ($10, at drugstores). The hollow bristles of this hourglass-shaped brush pick up way more product, meaning you’ll get healthy coverage with every stroke. The dryer formula also makes layering ideal—you can keep “pumping up” each lash with product until you have the desired amount of volume. The end result will certainly be impressive enough to keep this tube in your rotation!

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’s an easy summer eye makeup trend to incorporate into my routine?
Seasonal trends can introduce you to colours, textures and finishes you never even knew you’d love, which is a ridiculously fun aspect of makeup! Take on the pastel makeup trend and buff Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in “53” ($28, sephora.com) onto your lids using a fluffy synthetic brush to really ensure the edges of the colour are thin and blended thoroughly. This formula is water-resistant and won’t crease, even in the most unbearably high temperatures. If you want to make a bit more of an impact, you can carry on to Dior 5 Couleurs Eyeshadow Palette in “Blue Lagoon” ($60, at Dior counters), which contains five iridescent eyeshadows that can be blended over the pastel base you’ve already applied—adding a whole new new dimension to your 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 seem to have some clogged pores that won’t budge. Is there a good way to clear up my skin without getting a facial?
Clogged pores are pesky! They’re not quite a full-on breakout, but they definitely detract from the overall health of your skin. Dead skin cells, dirt, debris or excess oil can clog pores. So let me quickly reiterate how important it is to remove makeup and cleanse skin nightly! Doing so will drastically reduce the likelihood of clogged pores, but no one is entirely immune from them. Attack with a mask, such as SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Masque ($50, skinceuticals.com). While this is a clay-based concoction, which is always optimal for purifying skin and controlling sebum production, the formula is actually boosted by 5 per cent mixed hydroxy acids. The blend of hydroxy acids includes glycolic acid, which will alleviate the accumulation of dead skin cells, as well as citric, tartaric, and malic acids, which are all antioxidants that, when applied twice a week, will help get your skin to the state you want it to be in.

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 stretch marks that I’m really self-conscious about, particularly in the summer. Can I do anything to hide them?
You’re hardly alone in feeling painfully aware of stretch marks on your body! Stretch marks are the result of the rapid stretching of the dermis. Men and women alike can develop stretch marks, often from puberty or weight gain. Approximately 50-90 per cent of women develop stretch marks during pregnancy, which makes stretch marks a fairly common concern that ought to be addressed! Try a topical treatment such as Stratamark ($40, Shoppers Drug Mart). This gel forms a thin but essential occlusive barrier on the skin to create an optimized environment to normalize and hydrate the collagen synthesis process, which will lead to repaired skin. The gel is non-sticky, dries quickly and is transparent, so it can be applied any time. Reduced appearance of stretch marks is apparent in as little as a month, which is all the more reason to grab a tube and start applying now!

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 make my at-home blowout frizz-free in the summer?
Something key to remember is that the environment in which you blowdry your hair has a large impact on how your hair will react to heat styling. It’s advisable to blowdry your hair in a dry environment, i.e. not the bathroom you just steamed up with your shower! Next, make sure your hair is actually completely dry when you have completed the blowout. Any damp areas are likely to react to the air temperatures around you, which seldom results in smooth strands. Always finish hair with an anti-humidity spray, such as Oribe Imperméable Anti-humidity Spray ($44, at Donato Salon & Spa), which utilizes copolymer technology to shield hair from the impact of humidity, and also contains a UV filter to protect 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.

Self-tanner seems like a serious challenge for someone as fair as myself. What can I do to build up some believable colour on my body?
There are so many iterations of self-tanner out there—Sprays! Mousses! Creams!—yet it can definitely be a bit of a challenge to find a self-tanner that will work for fairer skintones. If you’re apprehensive about committing to a faux tan since you’re more translucent than not (blame winter—we all do), try a gradual sunless tanner, such as St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Everyday Gradual Tan for Body in “Light/Medium” ($38, sephora.com). Not only will this lotion moisturize your skin with aloe vera, but it will provide a slight golden tint to your skin that will develop over time with 70 per cent less of the tell-tale self-tanning smell than standard self-tanners—meaning you won’t mind slathering this on daily to build up a glow without any of the sun’s harm!