GROOMING
Don’t make light of your make-up 
 Anjana Sarin

SO, body bold is the mantra of the season. With low-waisted jeans and backless cholis doing the rounds in fashion circles, body tattoos seem to be sitting pretty on every girl’s navel, small of the back, bust and the arms. Add to this the glitter of Swarovski, intricate crystal designs on well-manicured fingers, perhaps a turban with sequins and colourful plumes....

What is invariably overlooked in this dramatic makeover is the very make-up itself. A clean scrubbed look with a healthy glow may be appropriate for another occasion when you are wearing an understated attire. But what do you do when you are dressed to kill — especially in the winter when the skin is dry and needs to be treated delicately, with care?

Here are a few invaluable beauty tips:

l At first cleanse and tone the skin. Use a cleansing gel or cream and wipe off the remains with a moist cotton wool. Rose water is a good toner for the facial skin in winter conditions. Wipe off and apply a liquid moisturiser. This would form the base for your foundation.

l Cover blemishes with a concealer before applying the foundation. If the blemishes are obstinately dark, it is better to use a foundation one or two shades lighter than the foundation you use for the rest of the face. This would even out the blemishes and leave a smooth surface tone.

l When you apply the foundation, always use two shades — a lighter one for areas under the eyes (which tend to develop dark circles) and down the nose. To create check hollows, use a darker tone on the area and on the chin. This helps in giving a contour to your face.

l Apply highlighter on the cheekbones. Highlighters should not be white as the Indian skin holds yellow undertones. Rather, choose from ivory and pale pink. Blend well. Apply loose powder and using cotton wool, dust off the excess. A golden-tinted powder adds to the glitzy party look.

l While applying make-up, remember, the sixties’ look is back in fashion. The black eyeliner-lined, smoky look for the eyes, with a little flick on the outside corners is just perfect. Rather than eye pencils, try out the felt-tipped or liquid liners for a smooth and even effect.

l For lips, natural and soft tones are in, especially pinks, with a creamy texture and gloss. The days of postbox red and shocking purples are over. But browns and nudes are fine. And do not try matching your lip colour with your dress. That is also too passe.

l Outline the lips with lip pencil and fill in with lipstick. Thereafter, add a touch of lip gloss for a hint of shimmer. A common mistake we all make is blotting out the excess lipstick. Not only does this remove too much of colour, it leaves a very dull effect.

l Night-time make-up for the eyes should be bolder and can do with some shine or gloss. Use browns, bronze and gold. Brown eye shadow can be applied in the socket or crease of the lids. This adds depth and a hint of mystery. Highlight under the brows with gold, ivory or a light-coloured eye shadow. You can apply gold eye shadow also along the bone line to give shape to the eyes.

l Outline the eyes with a dark eye pencil. Apply it to the upper lid and smooth out with a cotton bud. Gently blend a line of kohl or eye pencil on the lower lid. Try a touch of blusher at the outer eye, just under the eyebrow for added drama. Remember, more than your dress or any part of the face, it is your eyes that make the first impression.

l Apply mascara in two or three coats, but make sure to brush the lashes after each coat dries. Use upward strokes for the upper lashes and downward strokes for the lower lashes. Even as eyes are instant attention grabbers, they are also the most sensitive part of your face.

l Finally, to add sparkle, dust a layer of gold powder at the temples and the throat area. Keep it to the very minimum and avoid the forehead and cheeks completely. Thereafter, it is for you to choose your jewellery and accessories to go with the look. (MF)