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 or ask away in the comments below.

What should I keep in mind when buying at-home hair colour?
At-home hair colouring is a very cost-effective alternative to salon hair colour visits, especially if you need frequent root touchups. Look for a formula that is easy to apply with minimal mess, like L’Oreal Preference Mousse Absolue Hair Colour ($22, well.ca), which is a mousse colour formula that mixes together as it’s dispensing. Given the unique dispensing system, this at-home hair colour is actually reusable, making it ideal for root touchups or a second full application, depending on your hair length. The resulting hair colour is multi-tonal with full root coverage, giving your hair dimension and shine.

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 make sure my facial flush lasts when I’m poolside or beachside?
Making makeup last in heat is a challenge every summer. Making makeup last in situation involving heat and water definitely calls for heavy artillery. When water gets involved, definitely opt for more sweat- and water-resistant products, like Cargo Swimmables Blush in “Bali” ($29, murale.ca). This formula will stay in place come high humidity or splashes of water due to silicone-coated powder that adheres to skin better, which means you’ll look glowing and radiant. This soft pink shade in particular is very natural looking and provides such an effortless flush, making it a blush you’ll be reaching for all summer and well into the fall.

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 are the benefits of opting for body oil instead of a lotion or cream?
Even if you lotion up immediately after showering, it’s often trumped as soon as you go outside by the bitter wind and cold, leaving you with skin that feels uncomfortably tight. Fresh Life Body Oil ($56, sephora.ca) works below the surface, hydrating skin deeply all thanks to its blend of nourishing oils, including sweet almond, jojoba seed, apricot kernel, sunflower seed and evening primrose oil. These oils work together to soothe, protect, renew and moisturize your skin while improving elasticity. Body oils also absorb best when applied to slightly damp skin, making it the perfect complement to your straight-out-of-the-shower beauty routine. The bonus to this body oil is definitely the fragrance, which has notes of bergamot, grapefruit, silk amber, vanilla grass and lilac leaves, making it warm yet fresh, lingering through the day.

See our expert eyelash product picks »

Katy Perry is something of a beauty chameleon. She’s sampled almost every hair colour, can rock a statement lip just as well as a neutral shade and her big blue eyes are completely captivating. While her makeup routine is no doubt always changing, one thing remains consistent: Perry’s bombshell eyelashes. Full of volume, the secret to her iconic lashes is more than an excellent mascara—it’s the work of lash extensions.

We spoke to Good Gosh Beauty extension expert Lauren Kurtz about our quest to get the Katy Perry look. Whether you want to try a set of lash extensions or aspire to DIY it at home with false lashes, Kurtz has you covered. If you have small or brittle lashes, extensions are a great way to naturally enhance your eyes. One-by-one, a lash artist will adhere individual synthetic lashes onto your own, making them longer, thicker and curvier—and they can last up to a month. If it’s just a one-night fix you seek, Kurtz shares her foolproof tips for false eyelash application. Read on and see just how easy is it to get Katy Perry’s bombshell eyelash look.

See all the Christmas stocking stuffer gift ideas »

When it comes to Christmas gift ideas, stocking stuffers sit at the top of our list. These sometimes cheap and always cheerful items can make or break the Christmas morning experience—we’re certainly not the only ones who get just as much joy from unpacking a carefully curated stocking as we do in unwrapping presents, right?

To help with your stocking stuffer gift ideas, we’ve compiled 60 items to that will suit just about everyone on your list. Whether you’re paired with the hardest-to buy-for coworker in your office Secret Santa exchange, have a laundry list of relatives in need of gifts or want to find an unforgettable item for your significant other, we have you covered. Most importantly, all our stocking stuffer gift ideas are under $25. (At that price, you should probably pick up a few extras to ensure you’re ready for any last minute holiday get-togethers.)

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 go through cardboard nail files so quickly. Is there a more durable type I should try?
Too many times I have rummaged around for a nail file only to find one and discover it’s dull and essentially not usable. Not only that, but old nail files can be full of bacteria, especially cardboard files, as it’s hard to completely and effectively disinfect them—so discarding entirely is usually the safest bet. Luckily, Revlon File ‘N Peel ($5, at drugstores) has changed all that. This file is double-sided, so it offers both shaping and smoothing capabilities (standard stuff for a nail file), but it actually has three layers on each side, so that once a layer has been dulled down, you simply peel it away to reveal a fresh file ready for use! It’s the ideal solution for anyone who prefers cardboard files to glass or metal, but hates how easily cardboard files can get worn out.

See our 3 cleanser mask picks »

During the bustle of summer, who has time for a skincare routine with multiple steps? And when we’re out cottaging or on a summer road trip, we have limited space in our bags for an entire line of products. That’s why we love the lastest multi-tasker on the beauty scene: cleanser masks. It’s a single product that can be used two ways—daily as a cleanser or weekly as a mask to help mattify, hydrate or prevent breakouts. Here are some new ones worth taking for a road test during the upcoming long weekend.

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.

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. 

CC creams, redness fighters and complexion nightcaps—Sarah Daniel reports on what’s new in skincare for spring.

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 battle fine lines and wrinkles in my undereye area? They seem to be getting a little bit deeper each year.
A fair question that many people start to ponder as time goes on! It’s important to understand that fine lines can appear due to dehydration, which can be addressed by adding moisture back into the eye area with an eye cream. However, wrinkles and fine lines brought on by aging are bit of a different beast! Consider enlisting a retinoid-based product, such as Philosophy Miracle Worker Retinoid Eye Repair Cream ($65, sephora.com), to help out. Retinoid creams contain vitamin A derivatives that work to smooth fine lines/wrinkles and boost collagen while evening out discoloration and smoothness and this particular one also contains peptides to tackle undereye bags and darkness. Tip: Retinoid creams can make skin particularly sensitive to sun exposure, so don’t forget your SPF and sunglasses when out and about!

See our 25 gifts for mom »

As you may be able to tell from the cards, candy and chocolate already filling store shelves, Mother’s Day is fast approaching. The yearly challenge of finding the perfect gift before May 12 is officially upon us. This year, instead of getting your mother the standard scented candle (this one smells like coffee!), take a peek at our selection of thoughtful gifts for mom.

For the mother with a passion for style, jewellery always does the trick, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you may think. The ultimate statement necklace for under $100? Done. We’ve thought beyond the little blue box and selected unique clutches, sunglasses that match mom’s unique style.