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 atbeautyfix@fashionmagazine.com or ask away in the comments below.

What’s the simplest alternative to professional gel manicures? They’re too time-consuming to commit to!
If you’re not able to commit your time (or money!) to gel manicures done by a pro, rest assured that you have a long-lasting alternative that you can pick up at the drugstore. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel (shown in “Mad Women”, $11, at drugstores) is the latest and greatest from the nail authority, and this formula is heavy-duty without the fuss of a UV or LED light-curing process, boasting up to 14 days of chip-free wear. Simply apply two coats of gel colour (no base coat required) and finish with the Miracle Gel Top Coat. Both the gel colour and top coat formulas contain similar ingredients, but the top coat contains a photoinitiator that cures with natural UV light, so the gel colour becomes more durable as time passes. Bonus: 47 shades in a slew of different finishes means this system is one you’ll definitely be able to embrace wholeheartedly!

Find out what your nail art horoscope is »

We’re totally into the idea of letting our zodiac signs determine our beauty routines. From lipstick horoscopes to choosing a signature fragrance, there’s something we love about leaving it all up to the stars. Perhaps it’s the forever indecisive nature that comes with being surrounded by endless beauty products, but having these decisions made for us by the universe is what lazy (and crazy!) girls live for.

When it comes to experimenting with beauty, while things like bold haircuts and bright liners may not be for the faint of heart, even the shyest of beauty-lovers have no problem playing around with their nails. That’s why this week, we’re exploring nail art horoscopes. Are you a shy and sensitive Cancer? A dark and brooding Scorpio? Or maybe you subscribe to the school of YOLO like only a Leo can. Whatever your sign, we’ve got your nail art horoscope covered.

Summer usually calls for bold and bright nails (hello, neon!). However, on the Spring 2014 runways, neutral shades and pastels were getting just as much buzz in the nail world (like at Altuzarra and Alexander Wang). Trends aside, we all have our own preferences when it comes to manicures, whether we like to keep them neutral or loud and colourful. To help with a little beauty inspiration for this summer (because who doesn’t like more options?), this week we asked our Beauty Panel to share their favourite summer nail looks, from florals to pastels to one of Spring 2014’s hottest trends: metallics.

Challenge 68: How do you do your nails in the summer? See the answers now! »

See Stella McCartney’s Resort 2015 nails here »

Stella McCartney’s Resort 2015 collection had us in awe last week with models strutting in side cut-outs, bold stripes and prints galore. Making sure the models’ nails were in tune with the collection, the British designer collaborated with Sally Hansen’s Global Colour Ambassador, Madeleine Poole who complemented McCartney’s superhero prints with bold graphic-designed nails. “First, could there be a more inspiring pattern for nails? The superhero fabric is full of mini patterns within itself,” said Poole. “I zoomed in on the characters and cropped the interesting curves and color combinations to make an abstract design.” And because we figured you would love to recreate these looks at home as much as we do, we’re giving you the lowdown—an easy 4-step guide to creating your very own superhero nails. Let the fun begin!

Nail art’s not quite dead, but the baroque period is definitely over, as these five fresh-from-the-runways trends show. We’re in a minimalist phase, embracing subtle detailing, a more subdued palette and considerably less sparkle.

Jump to: CANDY-COATED | WHITEOUT | FRENCH REDUX | MOON PHASE | SPARKLE & SHINE

See the winning nail polishes! »

Some say a look is incomplete without a manicure and pedicure, and we’re inclined to agree. The nail polish formulas that won this year’s 12th Annual Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards are known for ease of use, long wear, high shine and wide availability. Nail art fans weighed in on the easiest way to get dolled-up digits and readers told us their preferred shades for both hands and feet at different price points, making it budget-friendly to grab one of the colours voted in. Read on for the results!

See all the Gwen Stefani by OPI nail polish shades »

When we think of Gwen Stefani’s signature style a few things come to mind: platinum hair, a midriff-baring top and, of course, red lips! Now, thanks to OPI, the musician’s covetable style is being bottled up for an exclusive nail polish collaboration. The seven-piece Gwen Stefani by OPI collection will hit shelves in January 2014 and features a number of finishes that are new to OPI, as well as a super-exclusive nail art set.

“Over & Over A-Gwen”—a luscious red that no doubt took inspiration from Stefani’s go-to lipstick shade—will be paired with Swarovski black crystals and metallic studs  in a boxed set that’s sure to be on every nail art fan’s must-have list. (Even better, it will sell for less than $20!) As for the new polish finishes, “Push and Shove” may just rival the nail art in terms of flashiness. It’s a chrome polish with a mirror-like finish, but unlike other chrome polishes, “Push and Shove” requires a special base coat (named “Lay Down That Base”) to ensure maximum reflection. We cannot wait to see swatches of this high-shine colour in action.

It’s hard to resist the urge to cover everything in tinsel this time of year. From glittering outfits to shimmering makeup to every Christmas décor item out there, ’tis the season to shine. But what about your nails? When it comes to manicures, there’s no better way to stand out than with some holiday nail art.

Pulling off an impressive DIY manicure is easy as pumpkin pie thanks to an abundance of festive nail polishes and beauty bloggers who love to document their inventive creations. We’ve scoured the web for some of the best holiday nail art looks for 2013 and come up with quite the list.

May we suggest a chic snowman? Or dressing your nails up like a cozy Christmas sweater? How about a tiny, decorated tree that rivals the best IRL decorations? Whatever you love most about the season, you can paint it on your nails. And whether you’re a nail art newbie or serious pro, these holiday nail art tutorials break each design down with easy-to-follow directions. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down to see the best holiday nail art for 2013 and start painting!

See the manicures »

Lips, skin and hair were a study in texture on the Fall 2013 runways, and the same went for nails. Now, beauty brands are launching gritty, matte and high-gloss polishes, and top coats flecked with chunks of glitter or fabric. Global nail artist for L’Oréal Paris Tom Bachik offers his take on the trend.

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 sensitive skin seems a bit irritated after cleansing. What can I do to calm it down?
This is a common gripe amongst sensitive-skinned individuals. The level of the skin’s visual irritation may be a fraction of the irritation happening below the surface, so spring into action. Ensure you’re using the correct type of cleanser for your skin. If you have skin that’s not only sensitive but also dry, using a milky or non-foaming cleanser is your best bet since they tend to be gentler at removing dirt and debris without draining the skin of natural moisture. If that’s all sorted, consider using a toner immediately after cleansing. While toner doesn’t necessarily have a place in everyone’s skincare regimen, a calming fluid like Simple Soothing Facial Toner ($11, well.ca), can really make a marked difference in how sensitive skin behaves. The fragrance-free formula contains witch hazel, panthenol, allantoin and chamomile, which tightens pores, restores skin, promotes cell turnover and soothes skin, respectively.

See the Spring 2014 nail art looks up close »

The nails at New York Fashion Week were right in tune with the ’90s minimalism style we saw on the Spring 2014 runways. Sheer is in, colour is out and the nail art trend seems to be winding down. The bare and buffed nails of last spring are still going strong for 2014, with designers like Altuzarra, Alexander Wang and Jeremy Laing opting for pale shades of pink, lavender or beige instead of punchy pastels and neon brights.

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 find it a bit tricky to get to my corner lashes when applying mascara. How can I reach every single lash?
I’ve certainly jabbed the inner corners of my eyes a handful of times when trying to get mascara on my corner lashes, leaving a mess of mascara smudges behind. (It’s even worse when it ruins a carefully applied eye makeup look.) Mascara junkies rejoice, because Avon Mega Effects Mascara ($12, avon.ca) has a very different brush that is the solution to your corner-lash woes. The adjustable ergonomic wand allows you to line up the brush with your lashes from the front, instead of from the side, so you can apply mascara to each and every lash. If you still feel you can’t get to the corner lashes, turn the brush so that it’s perpendicular to your lash line to brush on the mascara with the end of the wand.