Q. Dear Catherine,
Every time I get a manicure the colour only lasts about 3 days before it starts to chip. What am I doing wrong?
--Claire, Sudbury
Hi Claire,
Well, let me first say, you’re not alone with your chipping dilemma, so not to worry. I get asked this question fairly often. The solution is to combine a few different tactics. Step one is to apply OPI Chip Skip on your bare nail to prime the surface before painting, then post paint ensure that you add a top coat of clear polish to help protect your colour from the elements. For increased protection, add on an additional layer of the clear top coat polish every other day to increase the barrier between your colour and the surface of the nail. Lastly, and probably most importantly, wear a form of latex or rubber gloves when washing or scrubbing, the scratching motion does the most damage to your polish.
Q. Hey Catherine,
How long should a mascara last? How do you know when mascara is expired?
--Maria, Niagara Falls
Hi Maria,
Unfortunately, mascara doesn’t last as long in your make-up bag as other products. Generally, mascara only lasts for three to four months. The best way to detect if it has expired is to smell it to see if there is any change in the scent. Expired mascara should be quite noticeable by scent alone, but sometimes severe clumping is also a good sign to toss it. Some tips to make your mascara last is to wipe the brush off with a tissue when you are done to protect contaminates from getting back into the tube, and keep it out of direct light or heat.
Q. Hi Catherine,
Is it safe to use human shampoo on your dog?
--Wylie, Vancouver
Hi Wylie,
Unfortunately, I’m not a professional groomer, but I did a bit of research on this for you and the answer is no. Human hair and dog fur have different cleansing needs. In addition dog skin is not as acidic as human skin and therefore most shampoos would irritate and dry out their skin. It’s probably in the best interest of the pet to get a specialized shampoo and conditioner for them at a pet store, or if you really want to treat your pup, check out the amazing dog Cuddly-Coat grooming products form Kiehls. They will make your canine’s fur feel and smell wonderful!
Send Catherine Main your beauty questions to counter_intelligence@hotmail.com