FASHION Magazine

Trying a self-tanner at home can be intimidating, to say the least. But if you’re coveting that back-from-the-South-of-France afterglow without the sun damage, a self-tanner is your safest bet. As any faux tan devotee knows, proper application is key when it comes to avoiding telltale signs of an at-home tan (you know the ones: orange palms and unsightly streaks). Whether you’re a pasty girl looking to achieve a deep shade of bronze or you’re just seeking a subtle glow, we’ve got a few pointers from St. Tropez’s Skin Finishing Expert, Sophie Evans, who gave us a rundown on how to achieve an immaculate faux tan at home.

Find out how to get the look »

Glistening skin, post-swim hair and makeup reminiscent of azure Caribbean waters—a tidal wave of oceanic influence is upon us. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, the hair was described as “crustaceous” and “shipwrecked” and skin had a pearlescent glow; retro mermaids wore a wash of aqua eyeshadow at Badgley Mischka; and models on the Band of Outsiders runway had damp, side-parted waves meant to replicate “Jan Brady at the beach.” At Kenzo, the save-the-fish message of the collection was echoed by manicures tipped with white crashing waves, while hair was twisted into a seashell shape at Carolina Herrera for a look that was decidedly uptown. Life’s a beach, even if you’re stuck in the city.

14 new ways to layer ahead! »

Summertime might seem like an odd time to broach the topic of layers but hear us out. Unlike winter when the weather ranges from cold to colder and your winter boots and leather leggings are a safe bet, summer can be a bit tricky when it comes to outfit planning. Cold nights with days ranging between sweltering and monsoon-like or downright chilly, layers seem to be the perfect answer to our everyday wardrobe conundrums. Layering up our wardrobe is going to be our secret weapon when it comes to standing out, practically, this season.

We’re talking about new ways to pile on the clothes, like the ultra-inventive dress over pants look or the complicatedly chic skirt, over jeans, over a shirt. It’s all about layering up your pieces in new ways, affording you endless options. So unlike Rihanna’s CDFA barely-there dress, less is not more this time around—more is more.

  You know what’s worse than finally getting perfect winged eyeliner drawn on, only to have it smudge as soon as you step out into the heat? Nothing. Literally nothing. With Bobbi Brown’s now-iconic Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, you don’t have to worry about your liner as you frolic through fields of daisies this summer (or […]

The post Afternoon Delight: The Bobbi Brown eyeliner that can survive the beach, outdoor festivals and more appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

See our swimwear shopping picks »

Stylish swimwear has moved from a beach staple to full-on wardrobe inspiration. With many designers putting as much effort into swim trends as their clothing lines, there’s no surprise that this season’s bathing suits are influencing everything from watches to backpacks to printed pants. High on our radar are palm prints, geometric shapes, nautical stripes, and the oh-so-fresh fruit craze. Making your entire summer wardrobe flawlessly matchy-matchy, take some tips from these swim wear trends and you’re sure to make a splash both in the water and out.

View the photo shoot »

Thought pastels were only for spring? Think again. Add bursts of colour to your summer makeup routine with soft shades that make a bold statement. In this gorgeous beauty shoot from our summer 2014 issue, pastel nails, eyes and lips are perfect for poolside.

See the California inspiration on the runway »

At the end of part 1 of On the Road, Jack Kerouac’s 1957 novel about freedom, self-discovery and the American experience, Sal Paradise—a desperately bored and mildly depressed writer who sets off from New York City in search of adventure and inspiration out West—arrives in Hollywood by bus on a dusty autumn morning. Having abandoned the East of his youth along with a sorry half-written manuscript, he arrives, after weeks of dreamy anticipation, in the West of his future: the glittering California coast. “I looked greedily out the window: stucco houses and palms and drive-ins, the whole mad thing, the ragged promised land, the fantastic end of America.” For Paradise, Calif., is the ultimate American mecca—endlessly inspiring, always changing, forever new.

It’s a sentiment that still rings true 50-plus years later. In fashion, Hedi Slimane is the industry’s Pied Piper of California dreaming. The French designer has made Los Angeles his home, his muse and the subject of much of his work, from his 2011 photography exhibition, California Song, which explores Americana via L.A., to his recent collections for Saint Laurent, which have channelled everything from California grunge to 1980s Sunset Strip. “I secretly love that the common perception of L.A. is shallowness,” Slimane told Style.com in 2010. “From the counterculture’s heritage of the ’60s and ’70s to the rise of Silicon Valley in the ’80s, from the Hollywood dream machine to the music industry majors, from Californian art to architecture, healthy lifestyle and food, California does rule the village.”

Photography by Peter Stigter

Photography by Peter Stigter

Photography by Getty Images

1/5

True Romance

Patricia Arquette in True Romance

2/5

Saint Laurent Spring 2014

Saint Laurent Spring 2014

3/5

Axl Rose

Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose

4/5

Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2014

Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2014

5/5

Point Break

Lori Petty and Keanu Reeves in Point Break

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.

How can I curb shine without powdering repeatedly throughout the day?
There’s obviously an argument in favour of luminous skin in summer, but that usually means being in control of the areas that are radiant and glowing. If your rendition of “radiant and glowing” veers more towards “shiny mess,” then you probably should enlist the help of a product to reduce shine. Powdering your face is a bit high maintenance, and it’s also bound to lead to product build-up if you’re touching up throughout the day. Avoid that heavy look by misting your face with Face Atelier Ultra Matte ($40, faceatelier.com) instead. It can be used before or after makeup to minimize shine. The formula contains silicones that are heat-, moisture-, and sebum-resistant, which eliminates shine while giving skin an optical blur effect that softens the appearance of fine lines and pores. This stuff is a must-have for brides!

Shop some of our favourite sunscreens for the season »

Newsflash: Sunscreen isn’t akin to a hazmat suit. But the power to defend yourself optimally is literally in your hands.

The rules for sunscreen have changed yet again. Yes, you still have to apply it, and not just in the summer or when there are no clouds. But Health Canada says it can no longer be called “sunblock”—it’s not denim, so some UV is getting through—or “waterproof.” (“Sunscreen” and “water-resistant” are allowed.) This will spare us from a false sense of security.

5 summer shoes that keep your toes hidden » Between bikini waxes, sunscreen, spray tans, and pair after pair of lost sunglasses from fold out tables in the street, summer fun can get overwhelmingly pricey, to say nothing of manicures and pedicures. I’m a big fan of a once-monthly pedi to keep rough feet in […]

The post I don’t do sandals: 5 summer shoes that keep your toes hidden in podophobic style appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

50 summer sale finds under $50 »

After what seems like the longest winter of all time, summer is finally arriving, officially. With the hottest season just around the corner (literally, it’s tomorrow), you bet we’re going to be all up on the summer madness.

Beach days and tropical cocktails aside, summer also calls for amazing sales. It’s safe to say we here at FASHION love a good steal when we see one, especially when it’s well within our budget. And what better way than to kick off summer with the best sale items of the season. Lending fellow shopaholics a hand, we scoured our favourite online shops and rounded up 50 of the best sale picks under $50. From beach essentials (SPF, towels, band aids–you name it!) to flirty pieces (hello, crop tops!), we’re helping you get into the swing of all things summer with this one-stop summer sale guide. So what are you waiting for? Go on and click away. We promise it won’t break your piggy bank.

While black is as synonymous to winter as white with summer, that doesn’t mean the dark shade should be taboo for the warmer season. Summer naturally calls for brighter hues and season-appropriate prints, but thanks to this season’s A-list designers (i.e. Gucci, Giambattista Valli, Altuzarra) and celebrity style (we’re looking at you, Lorde!), the universal shade is definitely open to being worn all year long. However, it is inevitable to feel the need to stay away from the shade during the warm months of summer due to its heat-absorbing characteristics. So how do you stay cool without feeling like you’re drenched in sweat going from point A to B? Fear not, because this week, we challenged our Style Panel to share with us their tips on how to wear black this summer.

When it comes to wearing black in the heat, Style Panel members can agree that it’s all about choosing the right fabric and pieces. Jill Lansky of The August Diaries and Leonie Markhorst of The Signature Bow took on the challenge head-on wearing black head-to-toe in two different crop top ensembles. While Lansky played with a more structured, lady-like look, Markhorst kept things cool and chic pairing her outfit with an asymmetrical midi skirt. If you’re hoping to tackle this trend for the office environment, BornLippy’s Melanie Morais has the solution for you: silk pants. The breathable material will allow you to stay cool, while maintaining a professional look. And if you’re looking to be more stand-out, Barbara Ann Solomon of Barbara Ann’s Style Blog’s monochromatic floral jumpsuit is the perfect statement piece to feeling cool and stylish this summer.

Question 108: How do you wear black in the summer? Read the answers now! »