Charlene answers your beauty questions

Q: I’ve recently been experimenting with colour on my hair, but now it feels dry and brittle. What can I do to put some bounce back into it?

A: Dr Frauke Neuser, senior scientist of haircare and colour at Procter & Gamble, says, “When you colour or style your hair, especially if you lighten it, you lose essential oils.
“Colouring opens cuticles, which is what causes hair to become dry and brittle. The best way to nourish your hair is to replace the oils you’ve lost. I’d recommend using Pantene Oil Replacement Therapy, Dh14, as it helps combat damage caused by colouring and styling, leaving you with stronger, healthier hair. It’s a leave-in product which can be used on wet or dry hair. Also, if you need to colour your hair again, make sure you use a colouring kit that contains no ammonia or peroxide.” 

Q: I’ve come across so many techniques for applying blusher — what is the best way?

A:  Samira Olfat, Max Factor makeup artist, says, “Choosing the right shade of blusher is really important. To find out what shade suits you, simply pinch your cheeks. The colour that remains is the shade you should wear. For a fresh dewy glow, use a creamy blusher, like Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush, Dh35, and for a matte look, use a powder blusher. Apply the blusher from your cheek bone to your apple in a half-moon shape. To define the line of the cheek, add a darker shade along the cheek bone and blend well.” 

Q: How can I keep my skin looking good after a long-haul flight?

A: Dr Naina Sachdev, Olay ambassador and anti-ageing expert, says, “After a flight, skin is very dehydrated and this increases skin inflammation. You should drink a glass of water followed by green tea. Topically, I recommend filling a small spray bottle with Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion, Dh48, and spraying your entire face and neck area — it gives your face a great glow as soon as you land. At home, use a good moisturiser over the entire face and neck area  (my favourite is Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream, Dh71).
 

Q: My concealer doesn’t seem to sit well underneath my eye. How can I stop it from creasing and flaking?

A: Try this new trick we learnt from Daniel Chavez, international makeup director for Smashbox. Daniel never applies concealer directly under the eye. Instead, he recommends putting a dab on the inner and outer corners of the eye, and then using a pat and sweep motion to add coverage to the under-eye. This way your concealer never has the chance to sit in the creases under your eyes, preventing it from flaking as the day (and your concealer) wears on. Try Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer, Dh66, available at Galeries Lafayette.