Women in India, often, make mistakes by buying beauty products like concealers with pink under-tone, which is actually meant for the fair European skin tones. The one with yellow undertones complements the Indian complexion,” Bangalore-based make-up artist Gouri Kapur says, and suggests using a matte natural bronzer on the eyes and cheeks after applying the concealer and powder, to add the natural glow to your skin.
In fact, the entire process of summer make-up takes less than five minutes and can be done even while driving to office. But with no time on hands, if you are wondering how your gal-pal manages to turn all heads at your workplace with the rightly done lip tint and flawless skin, Kapur has some handy solution for you to get the ‘best everyday’ look.
Keeping the summer heat and humidity in mind, Kapur insists on sporting a ‘no-make-up’ look by applying minimal cosmetics and blending it well with the skin. It’s time to forget the thick foundations, kajal pencils and the heavy make-up kit. “A yellow under-toned concealer, translucent powder, gel eye-liner, mascara, matte bronzer and a light tinted lipstick are all you need, to survive a regular summer day,” says Kapur. She uses a concealer and translucent powder to banish blemishes that give you a fresh look.
However, application of make-up calls for good skin care too. If you have no time to maintain your skin, then go slow on the cosmetic usage. “Once a gym trainer had told me, when you are working out, your body gets used to a certain level of exercise. Hence, working lesser than what you usually do doesn’t help. Similarly with skin, if you are used to applying heavy make-up regularly, you need to put a lot of effort in maintaining it. If we apply the right kind of products to the skin, it can do wonders,” says Kapur.
A regular maintenance of skin includes applying sun-screen twice a day with SPF 15, a light moisturiser in the evening, night cream before sleep and removing make-up at the end of the day. She also strongly recommends a home-made pack, of tomato puree and lime juice or curd, once a week.
Apart from the face, our hair plays an important part in highlighting our personality. If fancy hair-cuts, perming or straightening is done from one of the city’s crowded parlours, you are not doing justice to the narcissistic image you have of yourself, so it is better to maintain your mane at home, the beautician stresses.
“Massaging your hair with oil, twice a day and indulging luxuriously in a hair spa is a must for maintaining healthy hair,” says Kapur. She suggests the brand Lush H’suan Wen Hua for hair spa and L’oreal or Schwarzkopf for a hair mousse. For hair styling, heat resistant lotions, blow dryer, hair iron and mousse are essential for maintaining a healthy mane. However, using a good quality appliance is also equally essential to look great without damaging the hair. My favourite pick of hair iron is GHD or T3 and of heat resisting lotion is Tresemme,” she says.
All said and done, the essence of good make-up doesn’t lie in the quantity of cosmetics used, but on using the right colours and the art of enhancing one’s personality. Kapur regularly conducts a two-day workshop on grooming and application of make-up.