HYDERABAD: Makeup isn’t just about beauty but is an art and means of expression. This is what bridal makeup artist Rihanna Rawlani flawlessly showcased at Tira Store, Sarath City Capital Mall, shimmering up everyone’s evening with her makeup masterclass by using South Korean makeup brand ETUDE’s top picks.
As dusk neared, the sparse crowd slowly grew, surrounding Rihanna as she deftly prepped her model’s face before applying ETUDE’s eyeshadow palette, eyebrow pencil, mascara, lip tint and blush. But the makeup connoisseur’s masterclass wasn’t your pin-drop-silence sort of evening. Though laser-focused, Rihanna encouraged and calmly answered questions from her audience, all the while prepping up model Vanshika as she pieced together a soft pink dewy look.
Seamless process
“Dab, dab, dab. Good blending is the secret. There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to makeup. Day looks can also be night looks and vice versa,” quipped Rihanna. Combining nine eyeshadow shades and topping them off with glitter, the makeup artist elicited wows and oh’s from those around her. She doled out tips and pocket-friendly tricks such as using lip tint for the cheeks and explained colour theory in the context of lipsticks and varying Indian skin tones. The most satisfying element of her class was definitely when she created an ombre pink lip look, combining a woody pink, dusty beige, and several other pink tints.
“Which eyeliner should I use? Black, brown, or red?” she asked, going with the classic black after a request. Even the process of watching her gently apply mascara and fill in the eyebrows of her model was a treat to the uninitiated eye.
Flawless outcome
“I’m inspired by Rihanna. I’m not really a makeup person…it’s usually just kajal, blush, sunscreen, and lip balm. But I thoroughly enjoyed this,” said Vanshika as she peered at her soft pink dewy look in the mirror. Adding that her face felt natural and light, the model flashed a wide smile for the cameras.
Makeup is certainly not everyone’s piece of cake but Rihanna somehow made it all look so easy and smooth, proving that passion is perfection.
“The model looked stunning. Absolutely flawless and very natural. It’s so soothing to look at,” said Achita, lifestyle and food blogger.
What made Rihanna’s masterclass special were her simple techniques and explanations. “It was beautiful and informative. As someone with zero makeup knowledge, I learnt so much. I will start experimenting with makeup from now on. The glitter, the dew, wow. What versatility,” said Lakshmi, a software engineer.
Makeup master’s tips
Rihanna’s path to being a renowned makeup artist in her own right wasn’t all hunky-dory. “My journey has had its ups and downs but what helped was practice, practice, and practice. It all started with me rummaging through my mother’s cupboard for makeup and experimenting to the point it became a passion, nudging me to quit my interior designing job. I love doing bridal makeup because it makes brides happy. Happy brides are the prettiest brides,” she said.
Adding that makeup should be natural and not cakey, Rihanna advised, “Less is more, ladies. Makeup should not change your face but simply enhance your already beautiful features. And makeup will look good only if you take care of your skin: hydrate, eat right, sleep well.”