Beauty Fix: How to keep your legs from looking ghostly all winter long 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, Beauty Fix is engaging in some colour theory. Stuck in a barely-there-pink nail polish rut? We have a colour that will inspire you to change it up at your next manicure. Bored of contouring with bronzer? We have a fix for that too. Read up for all these answers—and more! In need of a beauty fix yourself? Email us at [email protected].
I love the way eyeliner looks on my waterline, but black always looks a bit harsh and seems to close my eyes in. Any alternatives that still define the eye?
Lining your waterline can be such a great finishing touch to a look, but it can also be enough on its own. If you have small eyes, you are so right to be wary of black liner on the waterline—that is the inner rim of your lower eyelid—as it absolutely can close the eyes in and make them appear smaller than they are. That being said, lining the waterline can really define eyes in a very sultry way. Since black can be a touch heavy for a day look, opt for a colour that still catches the eye. A favourite formula that glides onto the waterline effortlessly: M.A.C Kohl Power in “Mystery” ($20, maccosmetics.ca). It’s a pearlized, blackened jade shade that lighter on the eyes and universally flattering.
I’m always reaching for the same barely-there pink shade whenever I get my nails done. Can you suggest something to bust me out of my rut?
It would be my pleasure to suggest a new colour to try! While not everyone can embrace things like nail art and get away with it on a daily basis, it’s almost silly to go with the same shade, manicure after manicure. Isn’t that the joy of choosing a new polish from the rows and rows of colours available? That being said, I completely understand the desire for an understated look, so reach for a modern neutral, such as Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish in “Commander in Chic” ($8, at drugstores), which is a taupe-brown shade that will flatter just about anyone.
I like dark nail polish, but it can sometimes look “witchy” on my longer nails. What’s an alternative that’s still edgy?
I can relate to this one, as I really feel dark colours look aggressive on me when they have no texture or unusual finish incorporated into the polish. I love a good vampy look—even when it’s not Halloween!—so I’ve gravitated towards colours like Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in “Smashed” ($25, thebay.com), which is a deep violet with deep pink and blue flecks of shimmer suspended through the base colour. This jewel-toned polish practically glows on the nail when it catches the light, which alleviates the moody and brooding nature of creamy dark shades.
I love the structure that contouring can give a face, but I’m not sure if I’m achieving the desired effect with my bronzer. What are other options?
Contouring is all about making the most of the architecture of your face through the use of highlighting and shadowing specific parts. It can be done with a multitude of products that range from creams to liquids to powder formulations. An edgier take on contouring that strays away from shaping your face with your average bronzer is to opt for a more mauve-taupe sort of shade, such as Chanel Ombre Contraste Sculpting Veil for Eyes and Cheeks in “Notorious” ($48, Chanel boutiques), which still contains enough warmth to look like a natural shadow on skin. Bonus: this particular shade is a very flattering eyeshadow for all eye colours!
I’m still up for baring my legs for nights out, but my summer colour is long gone. I’m not wild about self-tanning. Can you suggest an alternative to prevent my limbs from looking ghostly?
The fight against tights in the fall is real, because it seems that once you give in, you really can’t turn back for the following six months or so while winter runs the show! If you’re going to be baring leg, you better moisturize with something intensive, like Prtty Peaushun ($40, healthhutboutique.com). This body lotion is no joke, with ingredients like avocado butter, jojoba gel and green tea extract and It comes in five subtle shades, so it provides range for a hint of tint without committing to a colour for days at a time. It’s healthy for your skin and makes your limbs radiant without looking like you spent the afternoon toiling with a bottle of self-tanner in your bathroom. Success!
. It's a pearlized, blackened jade shade that lighter on the eyes and universally flattering.
I’m always reaching for the same barely-there pink shade whenever I get my nails done. Can you suggest something to bust me out of my rut?
It would be my pleasure to suggest a new colour to try! While not everyone can embrace things like nail art and get away with it on a daily basis, it’s almost silly to go with the same shade, manicure after manicure. Isn’t that the joy of choosing a new polish from the rows and rows of colours available? That being said, I completely understand the desire for an understated look, so reach for a modern neutral, such as Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure nail polish in “Commander in Chic” ($8, at drugstores), which is a taupe-brown shade that will flatter just about anyone.
I like dark nail polish, but it can sometimes look “witchy” on my longer nails. What’s an alternative that’s still edgy?
I can relate to this one, as I really feel dark colours look aggressive on me when they have no texture or unusual finish incorporated into the polish. I love a good vampy look—even when it's not Halloween!—so I’ve gravitated towards colours like Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in “Smashed” ($25, thebay.com), which is a deep violet with deep pink and blue flecks of shimmer suspended through the base colour. This jewel-toned polish practically glows on the nail when it catches the light, which alleviates the moody and brooding nature of creamy dark shades.
I love the structure that contouring can give a face, but I’m not sure if I’m achieving the desired effect with my bronzer. What are other options?
Contouring is all about making the most of the architecture of your face through the use of highlighting and shadowing specific parts. It can be done with a multitude of products that range from creams to liquids to powder formulations. An edgier take on contouring that strays away from shaping your face with your average bronzer is to opt for a more mauve-taupe sort of shade, such as Chanel Ombre Contraste Sculpting Veil for Eyes and Cheeks in “Notorious” ($48, Chanel boutiques), which still contains enough warmth to look like a natural shadow on skin. Bonus: this particular shade is a very flattering eyeshadow for all eye colours!
I’m still up for baring my legs for nights out, but my summer colour is long gone. I’m not wild about self-tanning. Can you suggest an alternative to prevent my limbs from looking ghostly?
The fight against tights in the fall is real, because it seems that once you give in, you really can’t turn back for the following six months or so while winter runs the show! If you’re going to be baring leg, you better moisturize with something intensive, like Prtty Peaushun ($40, healthhutboutique.com). This body lotion is no joke, with ingredients like avocado butter, jojoba gel and green tea extract and It comes in five subtle shades, so it provides range for a hint of tint without committing to a colour for days at a time. It’s healthy for your skin and makes your limbs radiant without looking like you spent the afternoon toiling with a bottle of self-tanner in your bathroom. Success!
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