Beauty Fix: How to do a frizz-free blowout on the most humid of days and more answers to your beauty questions
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 [email protected].
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.
I’m not comfortable going without foundation, but on a hot day my oily skin makes it a challenge to keep my foundation in place. Any recommendations?
This is a common problem for so many people, especially when seasons change. I think anyone can relate to feeling a bit naked with no makeup applied on a day-to-day basis, but there’s no need to throw in the towel just yet. With the right products, your makeup won’t be melting off your face much longer! Enlist a mattifying primer like Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($44, sephora.ca), to your routine. It’s silicon-free (no heavy feeling on the skin), and contains EverMat, a trademarked formula that works to control sebum production while tightening pores—all good things! Once that’s settled into your skin (give it a minute or two), apply Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation ($64, sephora.ca) to the areas you feel you need coverage the most. This particular foundation is a liquid-to-powder formula that dries down to a velvety finish without looking dull or flat, and contains anti-aging ingredients, which are certainly welcomed if you are wearing foundation on a daily basis.
I feel like my eyeshadow looks fine when I apply it, but then it doesn’t really have as much impact after a few hours. How do I fix this?
First of all, you should definitely be using an eyeshadow primer whenever you want your shadow to go the distance for you. Once your primer is applied, reach for something that will add dimension to your overall look—the more dimension, the more impact! Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows ($36 each, at Chanel counters) are an intriguing new range of shimmer cream shadows in stick format. These bright pigments will add a bit of shine to your eye makeup routine and the application is sublime. The texture and consistency will cool your lids when gliding onto skin but the colour will not budge once set—so you’ll pleased with how they perform during the sticky-heat of summer months.
I understand properly cleansing skin is important, but wipes don’t really cut it on my lazy days. How can I still cleanse my face without a slew of steps to complete?
I think a lot of people can relate to this sentiment! Everyone wants camera-ready skin, but to actually take care of skin properly requires a significant amount of effort, time and consideration of products and practices used! I’ve never been a fan of quick cleansing with facial wipes, because they never seem to really take everything off my skin, so I turn to the next best thing: a multi-functioning cleanser, which serves as a makeup remover, cleanser and toner in one. A favourite is Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Triple-Action Cleanser ($32, esteelauder.ca), because the airy foam is remarkably effective in removing makeup—long-lasting formulas included. This cleanser does so without stripping skin, as it contains a complex of blue algae (which is vitamin- and mineral-rich), Zinc PCA (which controls oil production) and milk thistle (which adds moisture to the skin).
I gravitate towards green fragrances, but would love something new for summer. Any suggestions?
Always! I think it’s important to expand your olfactory horizons little by little with each fragrance that you engage in. Try something that’s more citrus than green in terms of freshness, so it won’t be a complete compromise for what you already have an inclination towards using. I recommend L’Occitane Thé Verte & Bigarade ($75, loccitane.ca), which is a new scent that you will reach for constantly, starring orange essential oil from Tunisia and green tea extract from Japan, resulting in a bright, fresh fragrance that is delightful on anyone. (Bonus: this fragrance is actually unisex!)
, which utilizes copolymer technology to shield hair from the impact of humidity, and also contains a UV filter to protect hair.
I’m not comfortable going without foundation, but on a hot day my oily skin makes it a challenge to keep my foundation in place. Any recommendations?
This is a common problem for so many people, especially when seasons change. I think anyone can relate to feeling a bit naked with no makeup applied on a day-to-day basis, but there’s no need to throw in the towel just yet. With the right products, your makeup won’t be melting off your face much longer! Enlist a mattifying primer like Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($44, sephora.ca), to your routine. It’s silicon-free (no heavy feeling on the skin), and contains EverMat, a trademarked formula that works to control sebum production while tightening pores—all good things! Once that’s settled into your skin (give it a minute or two), apply Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation ($64, sephora.ca) to the areas you feel you need coverage the most. This particular foundation is a liquid-to-powder formula that dries down to a velvety finish without looking dull or flat, and contains anti-aging ingredients, which are certainly welcomed if you are wearing foundation on a daily basis.
I feel like my eyeshadow looks fine when I apply it, but then it doesn’t really have as much impact after a few hours. How do I fix this?
First of all, you should definitely be using an eyeshadow primer whenever you want your shadow to go the distance for you. Once your primer is applied, reach for something that will add dimension to your overall look—the more dimension, the more impact! Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows ($36 each, at Chanel counters) are an intriguing new range of shimmer cream shadows in stick format. These bright pigments will add a bit of shine to your eye makeup routine and the application is sublime. The texture and consistency will cool your lids when gliding onto skin but the colour will not budge once set—so you'll pleased with how they perform during the sticky-heat of summer months.
I understand properly cleansing skin is important, but wipes don’t really cut it on my lazy days. How can I still cleanse my face without a slew of steps to complete?
I think a lot of people can relate to this sentiment! Everyone wants camera-ready skin, but to actually take care of skin properly requires a significant amount of effort, time and consideration of products and practices used! I’ve never been a fan of quick cleansing with facial wipes, because they never seem to really take everything off my skin, so I turn to the next best thing: a multi-functioning cleanser, which serves as a makeup remover, cleanser and toner in one. A favourite is Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Triple-Action Cleanser ($32, esteelauder.ca), because the airy foam is remarkably effective in removing makeup—long-lasting formulas included. This cleanser does so without stripping skin, as it contains a complex of blue algae (which is vitamin- and mineral-rich), Zinc PCA (which controls oil production) and milk thistle (which adds moisture to the skin).
I gravitate towards green fragrances, but would love something new for summer. Any suggestions?
Always! I think it’s important to expand your olfactory horizons little by little with each fragrance that you engage in. Try something that’s more citrus than green in terms of freshness, so it won’t be a complete compromise for what you already have an inclination towards using. I recommend L’Occitane Thé Verte & Bigarade ($75, loccitane.ca), which is a new scent that you will reach for constantly, starring orange essential oil from Tunisia and green tea extract from Japan, resulting in a bright, fresh fragrance that is delightful on anyone. (Bonus: this fragrance is actually unisex!)
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