FASHION Magazine

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 how to match your lipstick and blush »

Blush and lipstick are meant to live in harmony. Both products are intended to create a look of flushed, healthy beauty, and used together, they can brighten your appearance on even the dreariest days. But how do you match your lipstick and blush? To get the best results, it’s important to choose colours that complement and don’t clash with each other. But with never-ending choices, finding the right pair can be a challenge.

Olivia Wilde’s black Valentino gown was one of the highlights on the 2014 Oscars red carpet last night, but upon closer inspection her makeup should be getting just as many accolades. While neutral makeup was certainly the biggest beauty statement last night, Wilde’s ’60s-inspired cat-eye was perfection—and it’s all thanks to one simple little trick.

Revlon makeup artist Melanie Inglessis was behind the look—she’s Wilde’s go-to makeup girl and told PopSugar that a typical makeup session is more like girl time, complete with gossip catchups and fun antics. For the 2014 Oscars, Inglessis described Wilde’s makeup as “effortless, chic and French.” She used two black Revlon eyeliners to complete the look, first Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner and then Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner. The cat-eye’s retro appeal is all due to its thickness along the upper lid and the delicate-but-exaggerated flick at the end—but it really comes together thanks to a simple defining technique: a simple swipe of white eyeliner. (Look close: do you see it?)

The eyes, hair and nails have been making most of the beauty statements so far on the Fall 2014 runways at New York Fashion Week. Here are our favourite looks and the top beauty trends so far:

Russet lipstick as eyeshadow at Helmut Lang
Helmut Lang’s textured, masculine collection was complemented with a simple, pared down face punctuated by a soft wash of lustrous burgundy on the eye. “It’s very minimal and clean but with a hint of punk,” said lead artist Hannah Murray, who painted Nars lipstick in “Deborah Audacious” (coming this fall) onto the eye and pressed “Heat” bronzing powder over it to set. She skipped eyeliner, mascara and brow colour, and kept the under-eye area clean to avoid a “pink-eye” effect.

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.

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.

See our product picks for getting Taylor Swift’s red lip »

Red has been the colour of the year for Taylor Swift. Her latest album, Red, has been wildly successful, her global tour of the same name has sold out at every stop and the single, “Red” was a catchy summer hit. But then there’s the other red in Swift’s life: her signature red lip. The shade practically defines her pop star identity and not since Tragic Kingdom-era Gwen Stefani has a lip colour inspired a generation of beauty junkies.

Whether she’s singing her heartbreak anthems, posing on the red carpet or flipping her hair back and fourth, her lipstick never seems to budge. What’s her secret? To get Taylor Swift’s flawless red lip look, we spoke with M.A.C Cosmetics senior artist Melissa Gibson. She gave us the inside scoop on how to get the perfect, long-lasting red lip. From preventing your lips from drying out to choosing the right colour, here’s how to get Taylor Swift’s 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.

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.

Olivia Wilde looked cheerful and flirty with her beau Jason Sudeikis at her red carpet premiere of Rush on Sunday night, a mood enhanced by her ’60s sexpot cat-eyes and tousled waves. L.A.-based makeup artist Melanie Inglessis (who also did Wilde’s makeup for FASHION’s September cover) was responsible for her look, which was a nod to the retro feel of the film, the true story of rival race-car drivers in the 1970s.

“I did a really sharp black line on the eyes and a lot of lashes, like a modern Sophia Loren,” says Inglessis, who used a full strip of lashes for each eye but cut it into five pieces, applying them along the lashline and on top of one another for maximum coquettishness. “It was a flared cat-eye, shorter at the beginning and longer at the end.”

See what’s inside Katie Boland’s bag »

Katie Boland ranks high on our list of young Canadians worth keeping an eye on. In the past few years the Toronto-based actress had made waves with notable roles including one alongside Kat Dennings in the 2010 flick Daydream Nation and in her own web series Long Story, Short (which she wrote and co-produced, by the way). The striking brunette, who has much to be excited about with a role on the new CW series Reign, stopped by our offices to give us an uncensored look at what she carries in her everyday bag. A self-professed iPhone addict, who admits she can’t live without eyeliner and is constantly on the hunt for the perfect red lipstick, is refreshingly down to earth and surprisingly low-maintenance (lipstick, Visa and phone is all that she brings with her to red carpet events). We got up close and personal with Boland’s must-have items as she let us peruse through her purse.

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.

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.