Q: How can I style my hair while my fringe is growing?
A: Growing fringes make the challenge of styling hair a daytime nightmare! However, there are a few tricks you can use. My favourite option is to blow dry it to the side (pick the side you feel most comfortable with). The hair will look tidy and proper; use a clip to keep it in the right position. Putting it up with a hair clip and then tying a pony tail also looks good. Another idea is to go for a neat bun; make use of a lot of hair gel and brush it flat. If you opt for a high bun it will work even better. Braids are still a hot trend, you can make a side braid linking the short hair with the longer tresses from the side or braid it to the back of the head into a pony tail.
Q: My hands are very dry, even with a lot of hand cream. Is there anything else I could do?
A: Wintertime is usually the period of the year when your hands get drier than ever. Even the mild winter we have in the Kingdom may cause this lack of moisture. With low humidity and frequent hand washing to avoid spreading germs, your hands suffer. The solution? You have to moisturise your hands more frequently, once a day is not enough. Hand cream applied directly to the skin will keep water from evaporating and give your skin a healthy look. Two important ingredients do most of the work to keep your skin soft and hydrated: emollients and humectants. Lanolin, jojoba oil, isopropyl palmitate and propylene glycol linoleate are some of the ingredients of the first category.
Common humectants are glycerine, hyaluronic acid, sorbitol, propylene glycerol, urea and lactic acid.
Q: How do I get red carpet make-up?
A: People may think red carpet looks must be overdone with a lot of make-up, but they actually follow the actresses’ personal taste or trends. A flawless skin is a good start. Prepare your skin with a good cleansing agent and moisturiser, then apply a lightweight foundation and concealer. Don’t forget to opt for the right colour for your skin tone. A thin layer of powder and your complexion will be done. The eyeshadow can be a safe nude, soft smoky or sparkling shades, stay away from light blue (always!). Add some illuminator powder and a good layer of mascara. Finish the look with red, pink or coral lipstick and you will be ready to shine.
Q: I’m in my sixties and my eyebrows need different care. What would you recommend?
A: While you accumulate years of experience on your CV, not only does gravity work against you but also your beautiful eyebrows lose their glorious fuller look and natural colour. Less invasive ways to make them stand out are to use make-up or to tint in brown shades (light, medium or dark). The downside is that this lasts around ten days and you have to re-do it. If you are looking for a semi-permanent result, you can try henna or, for a definitive solution, opt for tattoos; just be careful with the professional you pick. Before doing anything, check their previous work and then decide if you are ready for it.
