Beauty Fix: An unconventional mascara colour for the fair-haired set, how to apply cream blush and more answers to your beauty questions
Every week we take on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more and provide all the answers. This week we discuss the causes—and cures—of a shiny T-zone, tell you how to properly apply cream blush and share a mascara that’s ideal for the fair-haired set. And if you’ve ever wondered about the process for cleaning your makeup brushes, definitely read on. Have a question we haven’t answered? Email us at [email protected].
When I wear makeup, I feel like my T-zone is always shiny and I can never really get past makeup settling in my pores, making them more visible. Is there anything I can do?
I often stop and think back to when we wore makeup before the time of primers, lotions and potions. After all, they’re designed to perfect skin texture prior to a drop of foundation or a swipe of concealer even touching the face. The key ingredient behind a significant number of primers is silicone, which is helpful to smoothing skin—pores included. L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Miracle Blur ($30, at drugstores) is a finishing product that uses highly aerated silica, which is known for its absorbent properties, to control oil and shine on the skin. Smooth this silky cream sparingly over your already-made-up face in areas of concern (T-zone is a personal fave) and then pause to wonder where your pores went, how your skin looks virtually airbrushed and why this stuff hadn’t been in your arsenal sooner.
Should I be washing my makeup brushes? What do I use to the clean them?
Oh my goodness, YES! Washing brushes is wildly essential to the health of your skin and the actual application of your makeup. Think of all the oil and leftover product residue that collects in a brush that you’ve used for a couple days, and then think of applying and reapplying it to your skin with every brush stroke. No thank you! Everyone has their preferred method of cleaning brushes, but the latest addition to my brush-cleansing routine has turned out to be the most effective. The Sigma Beauty Brush Spa Cleaning Glove ($39, sigmabeauty.com), which looks like an oven mitt at first glance, has streamlined the typically mundane and never-ending process of cleaning makeup brushes. The glove features different textures that help you thoroughly clean your brushes with a minimal amount of brush cleanser—I use Dr. Bronner’s Organic Baby Mild Liquid Soap ($8, well.ca). This glove actually made my brushes look new again, restoring the bristles to their original colour (white bristles are white once again—makeup stains begone!), and the glove is double-sided, so the “eyes” side features smaller textures that are best reserved for cleaning smaller brushes while foundation and blush brushes can be cleaned with the reverse “face” side of the glove. In terms of frequency, try to get into the habit of washing brushes at least once a week. Your skin will thank you!
As a fair-skinned blonde, black mascara can sometimes overpower my face. Do I have other options?
At times, if you have a very light skintone and light hair colour, you’re totally right–black mascara can be way too high of a contrast and jump out in a less than ideal way. While brown mascara is a decent alternative, even it can be a bit aggressive (especially in the winter, when everyone is lacking a bit of colour). Try opting for a purple mascara, such as Guerlain Maxi Lash in “Violet” ($32, thebay.com). It’s an easier colour to wear for light skintones and is ridiculously flattering for all eye colours. The formula is also pretty legit: a polymer trio works to thicken, condition and sculpt lashes into the desired shape for a fluttery effect.
What’s the deal with cream blush? What’s the best way to apply it?
Cream blush is a great alternative to traditional power blush, particularly because the effect of cream blush tends to look more natural—as if it’s a glow coming from within your skin. Cream blush is especially good for dry skin, but can be utilized by all skin types, even oily. (Tip: Try layering a power blush over a cream blush for staying power on oily skin.) When working with cream products, a synthetic brush, such as the Sigma Beauty F88 brush ($18, sigmabeauty.com) is always best. Gentle tap the brush in the blush and stipple onto cheeks. A cream blush to try out that also is conveniently loaded with anti-aging ceramides and vitamins A, C and E is Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush ($30, thebay.com), which provides buildable colour for a believable flush.
I really like precise eyeliner but feel like half my pencil ends up in the trash because I sharpen it so much. What can I use to help me achieve the look I want?
I’m sure we can all appreciate a good pencil eyeliner, and I think we can all agree that getting a precise line is the worst part about pencil eyeliners, because it really does mean sending a portion of the pencil into the garbage. Automatic pencils are great alternatives, but they don’t necessarily provide the sharpest point to work with. My go-to for a precise line (that’s also excellent for smudging out!) is Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus eyeliner ($7, well.ca). This automatic pencil tip is quite small in comparison to other twist-up liners, so it gives you maximum control and is especially good for getting into the lash line.
 is a finishing product that uses highly aerated silica, which is known for its absorbent properties, to control oil and shine on the skin. Smooth this silky cream sparingly over your already-made-up face in areas of concern (T-zone is a personal fave) and then pause to wonder where your pores went, how your skin looks virtually airbrushed and why this stuff hadn’t been in your arsenal sooner.
Should I be washing my makeup brushes? What do I use to the clean them?
Oh my goodness, YES! Washing brushes is wildly essential to the health of your skin and the actual application of your makeup. Think of all the oil and leftover product residue that collects in a brush that you’ve used for a couple days, and then think of applying and reapplying it to your skin with every brush stroke. No thank you! Everyone has their preferred method of cleaning brushes, but the latest addition to my brush-cleansing routine has turned out to be the most effective. The Sigma Beauty Brush Spa Cleaning Glove ($39, sigmabeauty.com), which looks like an oven mitt at first glance, has streamlined the typically mundane and never-ending process of cleaning makeup brushes. The glove features different textures that help you thoroughly clean your brushes with a minimal amount of brush cleanser—I use Dr. Bronner’s Organic Baby Mild Liquid Soap ($8, well.ca). This glove actually made my brushes look new again, restoring the bristles to their original colour (white bristles are white once again—makeup stains begone!), and the glove is double-sided, so the “eyes” side features smaller textures that are best reserved for cleaning smaller brushes while foundation and blush brushes can be cleaned with the reverse “face” side of the glove. In terms of frequency, try to get into the habit of washing brushes at least once a week. Your skin will thank you!
As a fair-skinned blonde, black mascara can sometimes overpower my face. Do I have other options?
At times, if you have a very light skintone and light hair colour, you’re totally right–black mascara can be way too high of a contrast and jump out in a less than ideal way. While brown mascara is a decent alternative, even it can be a bit aggressive (especially in the winter, when everyone is lacking a bit of colour). Try opting for a purple mascara, such as Guerlain Maxi Lash in “Violet” ($32, thebay.com). It's an easier colour to wear for light skintones and is ridiculously flattering for all eye colours. The formula is also pretty legit: a polymer trio works to thicken, condition and sculpt lashes into the desired shape for a fluttery effect.
What’s the deal with cream blush? What’s the best way to apply it?
Cream blush is a great alternative to traditional power blush, particularly because the effect of cream blush tends to look more natural—as if it's a glow coming from within your skin. Cream blush is especially good for dry skin, but can be utilized by all skin types, even oily. (Tip: Try layering a power blush over a cream blush for staying power on oily skin.) When working with cream products, a synthetic brush, such as the Sigma Beauty F88 brush ($18, sigmabeauty.com) is always best. Gentle tap the brush in the blush and stipple onto cheeks. A cream blush to try out that also is conveniently loaded with anti-aging ceramides and vitamins A, C and E is Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Cream Blush ($30, thebay.com), which provides buildable colour for a believable flush.
I really like precise eyeliner but feel like half my pencil ends up in the trash because I sharpen it so much. What can I use to help me achieve the look I want?
I’m sure we can all appreciate a good pencil eyeliner, and I think we can all agree that getting a precise line is the worst part about pencil eyeliners, because it really does mean sending a portion of the pencil into the garbage. Automatic pencils are great alternatives, but they don’t necessarily provide the sharpest point to work with. My go-to for a precise line (that’s also excellent for smudging out!) is Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus eyeliner ($7, well.ca). This automatic pencil tip is quite small in comparison to other twist-up liners, so it gives you maximum control and is especially good for getting into the lash line.
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