A celebrity make-up artiste and stylist has all the monsoon make-up tricks up her sleeves
NAUNIDH SINGH
Monsoon, even though ardently prayed for during the sultry summer, comes with its own kind of hassles. From frizzy hair to sticky skin, ‘looking flawless’ gets all the more difficult in monsoon. This high-maintenance season requires a lot of attention on a daily basis but a few tiny efforts should form the basis of your beauty regimen.
The idea is to use thin layers of minimal products blended well. Highlight one feature on the face at a time by using a nice pop of color. Here is a step by step guide to achieving a gorgeous look in the rainy season with the help of make-up.
I always suggest to start with the eyes because it leaves no scope for messing up the under eye. For this season, I recommend long lasting cream shadows available in different colors. Choose one according to your skin tone and personal choice. Constructivist Paint pot from Mac is my all time favourite. You can even skip the primer with these and simply apply it with your fingers. If shimmery eyes are your thing, just pick a glittery one and dab a little on your lid. It is the easiest and the perfect party-make up trick. Opt for earthy tones like beiges, warm browns, lilacs, purples and oranges for a warm yet glamorous look.
Define your eyes using waterproof eyeliners. Stila waterproof liquid liner is worth a shot. Though the technique I prefer uses waterproof pencils which are now available with many brands. Apply all along the lash line and a few drops underneath your waterline around the outer edge. Follow it up by applying the same on the waterline as well. Quickly smudge it entirely with a cotton bud for a softer look. This is what celebrities are going for this season.
Always end your eye make-up with mascara facilitated thick beautiful lashes. Mascara flakes that mess the concealer along can be disastrous at times; hence always opt for waterproof mascara during monsoon. Build it up really well. Give three nice coats to get those full lashes. Similarly for brows, avoid powder or pencils; instead choose waterproof products.
Prepare your skin using a sunscreen, preferably a water-based one for those with oily skin. Clean your face with a toner first as it will help maintain the moisture on your face by taking the excess oil off.
Apply a long lasting concealer to cover the specific problem areas and under eyes. Go minimal. For full coverage use a 24-hour foundation formula. My personal favourite for this purpose is Lancôme TientIdole Ultra 24H. It gives full coverage and does not oxidize. Here is an important tip: long lasting products are a little drying so moisturise well and use minimal powder.
Contour your face using a cream bronzer. Choose the right colour by opting for one three to four shades darker than your skin tone. Highlight your cheekbones again using a cream colour base. Pearl from Mac is a good option for lighter skin tones and Improper Copper is suggested for the darker ones. Use a cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. The best thing about a cream blush is that it gives that dewiness to the face same as the waterproof products give a matt finish. So it gives the required freshness and colour.
Long-lasting, no transfer lipsticks are the best bet for the season. They can make your lips dry so it’s better to follow it up with a moisturising pencil. Shades like red, burgundy, orange, fuchsia are the ones to go for. But during the day stick to lighter shades as they make you look younger. Lip creams are amazing and are very popular with women these days. They give a matt finish and are available in many shades.
Last but not the least, increase the life of your make-up using make-up fix. It makes your make-up stay intact for long hours.
Remember, with make-up you can always achieve that flawless look but taking care of your skin is also important. If you have dry to normal skin, never leave the house without a good moisturiser and sunscreen. If your skin is oily to normal, then products like lacto calamine can be a saviour. Once or twice a week, apply honey before going to bed as it not only hydrates the skin but also gives it that inner glow.
Looking glamorous is every girl’s dream and with the right guidance, it is easy to fulfill.
