Beauty

Pro beauty tips

FLARE’s beauty team shares the tips they swear by

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Beauty Editors’ Best Secrets
FLARE’s beauty team shares the tips they swear by
By Rhonda Riche


1. It’s all about skin.
Ask any beauty editor and she’ll admit she obsesses the most about skin care. FLARE editor-in-chief Lisa Tant has great skin and part of the reason is she’s been treating it right since she was a wee beauty writer in Vancouver. “I moisturize every morning with a day cream containing SPF,” she says. The special step in her skin-care regime is that she also uses face moisturizer on her neck and décolletage. “You see these women with youthful complexions, but their wrinkly neck always gives them away.”
FLARE’s pick: Garnier Skin Naturals Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Day Cream SPF 16, 50 mL, $15. For where-to-buy, see Stylesource.

2. A little goes a long way
You can score good hold and style without the letdown of crunchy or sticky hair. All you need is a little restraint. The directions on most gels, mousses or sprays recommend using a small amount of product. “You can get too much of a good thing,” says FLARE associate beauty editor Carlene Higgins. “I usually only use one styling product at a time.” Control your locks without weighing them down.
FLARE’s pick: Jonathan Product Create Motion Shaping Crème Gel, 125 mL, $33.

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3. Less is more
Beauty editors are definitely efficient (you have to be to juggle interviews, photo shoots and tons of meetings) and so is their makeup routine. “I use a little bit of concealer to hide the dark circles under my eyes,” says FLARE beauty editor Juliette Lie. “For colour, I find that some blush and a lip gloss or sheer lipstick is enough to look polished.”
FLARE’s pick: The Balm TimeBalm Concealer, $23. It’s got serious coverage without being cakey.

4.Who doesn’t love a bargain?
Beauty insiders do have access to the priciest of balms and potions from around the world, but you’re just as likely to find them prowling the aisles of a nearby drugstore. Some of the best drugstore treasures: body moisturizers and scrubs (“Take advantage of the price and use as much as you want every day,” says Lie); hair elastics; smudge-free mascara; oil-free makeup remover; and a gradual self-tanner that moisturizes while giving you a touch of colour.

5. Give your hair a break
You don’t need to wash your hair every day. Unless your hair is very fine and gets oily quickly, you should aim to alternate washing days. In fact, letting natural oils work their way down your hair strands keeps your mane healthy. “I wear my hair down the first day and up the second,” says Higgins. If you are going to alternate, make sure your hair is really clean. “Do wash and repeat,” advises Lie. “Your hair won’t feel or look as greasy on Day 2.” Also try switching up shampoos and conditioning products. “I rotate between three shampoos,” says Higgins. “They each offer different benefits.”
FLARE’s pick: Back to Basics Citrus Sage Clarifying Shampoo, 340 mL, $10.

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*For more great secrets from the editors, be sure to pick up the May issue of FLARE*