Magic touch of make-up gurus
Fashion
By Vimla Patil

THERE is more than a grain of truth in the cliche that in youth, one has the face one is born with, but by later age, one has the face one deserves. This is very obviously true because the expression on one’s face gives it the lines which are permanently etched into it. Therefore, the secret of a good skin is the right attitude to life and additionally, the right use of cosmetics to keep it supple and smooth. Make-up gurus like Mickey Contractor say that skin on the face should be watched carefully for that is the greatest beauty asset of a woman. If the skin is dry, the correct creams and lubricants should be used according to the weather or season to nourish it back to health.

"Cleansing is vitally important for all skins so that stale make-up is completely removed," says Contractor, "Only when the skin is good can I achieve a radiant look with the use of make-up. A rich cleansing cream often does the trick. Using upward strokes while applying creams or face lubricants is a must if the suppleness of the skin is to be maintained. Toning it with a skin freshner should follow. A wad of cotton wool, dipped in an ice-cold freshner, can rejuvenate the skin in a short time and get the skin ready for make-up. Most Indian women wear little foundation, and resort to a face powder for day wear. But in the kind of climate we have, it is advisable to use a moisturiser each day and then use a compact or loose powder to create a matt finish for the complexion. Indian cosmetic shops offer a good variety of moisturisers, cleansers and face powders or foundations which serve the purpose of beautifying the Indian woman with specific colour combinations and provide an uncanny understanding of her natural colouring. Several fine products are available in this range."

Cosmetics are usually divided into two categories. There are those which are created to merge with the skin and create a smooth look. In this category come creams, powders and moisturisers which have a vital role to play in beauty culture but which are by their nature, often invisible. The other category of cosmetics are known as colour cosmetics. These are lipsticks, nail varnishes, rouges, eye shadows, kajal pencils or sticks, lash enhancers, eye liners and other colourants. If Indian companies have created powders and foundations to suit the Indian complexions, they have now undoubtedly excelled also in offering an unimaginable variety of colour cosmetics which should excite even the most make-up wary women. Colour cosmetics are being worn today even by small town and rural women and cosmetic companies have been encouraged by the increasing sales in non-urban areas to put forward a plethora of products which create unprecedented possibilities for excellent make-up.

Bharat and Dorris Godambe and Mickey Contractor are the ruling icons of the make-up art today. Carrying on the heritage of elders like Pandhari Juker who ruled the film industry for decades, Godambe has introduced a new age of finesse and detail in film and stage make-up.

The Godambes and Mickey Contractor have made a fabulous impact on Mumbai’s Bollywood, TV scene and the fashion business. They are the most favoured make-up gurus with celebrities like Sushmita Sen, Manisha Koirala, Kajol, Aishwarya Rai, Urmila Matondkar, Madhu Sapre and almost every star and beauty queen clamouring for their artistic treatment which make the women glamorous enough to face the best photographers and cinematographers. Each star or model has benefited from the new look which the Godambes create for them.

With years of make-up and hairstyling experience, Indian make-up artists now do make-up like painters. They transform the cover girls of dozens of magazines. They give special looks for models who do outstanding campaigns like Roopam, Garden Silk, Benzer, Sheetal, Lux, Vimal, Liril, Cinthol and Fair and Lovely. They teach make-up to all Miss India contestants and are in demand for all other contests. The success of Indian make-up gurus is so visible today, that rich NRI families invite them to fly over to do make-up for wedding or parties in the UK and the USA.

Experts that they are, they often offer valuable tips to those who wish to enhance their looks. Says Dorris Godambe: "If you want healthy hair, chopping off the ends once a month is a must. All jobs of colouring, streaking, perming or shaping must be done by professionals who understand and know the quality or feel of different kinds of hair. After such treatments, an occasional oil massage, conditioning and healthy food are needed to maintain glossy hair. Henna, for instance, dries the natural scalp oil, but gives an attractive auburn or gold-red sheen to the hair. It is imperative to oil hair so that this sheen does not come at the cost of dryness and brittleness in the hair." Bharat adds that glossy make-up is no more in vogue. In 1999, eyes and lips will have the emphasis. Lips will be dusky pink, brown or mauve and gold or silver highlights will be in vogue.

Finally, having had their say, all make-up gurus, while propagating beauty of face, hair and body, also unanimously insist that energy, stamina and a cheerful attitude to life are a must for creating lasting beauty and glamour!