Christmas and New Year parties may be over but the wedding season continues in gay abandon. Unfortunately, anyone whose had to attend more than one event in an evening or had gone straight from work to a can’t-afford-to-miss-it affair knows all about foundation that fades, mascara that gently travels down cheeks, and carefully applied eye shadow creasing all over the place. The problem is, no matter whether its winter or summer, makeup has a habit of smudging, smearing and traveling. Keeping cosmetics on lockdown is an art very few gals have mastered but fret not, help is at hand! We spoke to top makeup artists to reveal their trademark secrets on keeping makeup in place so that you can leave the party looking as pretty as the minute your entered it, all those cocktails and canapes notwithstanding!
Start with a clean canvas
Have you ever seen an artist work on anything but a clean, white canvas? “One of the reasons makeup melts is because of oil on skin,” explains makeup artist Arshis Javeri. Counter this by starting with clean, fresh skin. Depending on your skin type, opt for a cleanser that works for you. Oily Skin? Go with Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser. Dry to normal skins thrives with Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, a soap-free, foaming gel cleanser with Mint and Lavender extracts that removes impurities without disturbing the skin’s natural moisture balance.
Prep your skin
Even if you’re in a rush, don’t forget to prep your face if you want your makeup to last all day. Apply a light moisturizer with inbuilt SPF like Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturiser SPF15 all over your face. Then go over with a makeup primer like L'Oreal Paris Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer to ‘hold’ on to makeup. “Most Indian women have still not understood the importance of applying primer but it’s the best way to ensure flawless-looking, pore-less velvety skin in one simple step,” says celeb stylist Ojas Rajani. “Primers are the best way to mask imperfections; they have a light-diffusing base, even out the complexion and give skin a shine-free, radiant glow.”
Seal with powder
If you prefer using cream based foundation (versus a mousse formula or a cream-powder formulation) like Nykaa SkinShield Anti-Pollution Matte Foundation or Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation, it’s imperative to seal it with powder to ensure it stays in place. “Cream makeup tends to keep moving unless it’s powdered,” says Rajani. “Ideally use a brush or powder puff to dust on translucent no-color powder,” she says.
Liners for long stay lip color
Lip liners are back in business! Forget outlining lips in contrasting color (yuck!) but do apply liner all over your lips in a matching color to your lipstick, advises Javeri. “In fact, use the liner like a lipstick and go over your lips completely. Then apply lipstick all over.” Do this and your pout will remain bright and vibrant long after the last drink. Promise! Nykaa recommends Lakme 9 To 5 Lip Liner and Colorbar Definer Lip Liner. Stay Kiss-Proof. To make your lipstick even more infallible apply a touch of concealer or powder as a base before applying the lip liner.
Wear lip gloss over lipstick
Even if you prefer nude lippies, it’s always wise to keep a lip gloss handy. Most lipsticks have a matte, slightly dry look and a quick swish of lip gloss works to revive fading lippie. “A swipe of clear gloss over lipstick can give it a festive shine and seal in color for even longer wear,” says Rajani. Plus, it’s the fastest, most painless way of making your pout take center stage. Nykaa likes Lakme Absolute Plump And Shine Lip Gloss.
De-puff eyes ASAP
It’s hard to look all put together with puffy eyes and under-eye bags. Zap these eyesores with a caffeinated eye cream. Here’s a clever trick straight from the masters! “Before you apply concealer, prep your under-eyes with an eye cream that soothes your eye contours by decongesting blood circulation that causes dark circles and under-eye puffiness,” says Javeri. Nykaa adores ETUDE HOUSE Moistfull Collagen Eye Cream.
Highlight under eyes
Since your eyes are the focus of attention, an extra boost of brightness under eyes will keep your peepers looking bright and alert into the wee hours of the night. “Use a highlighter like NYX Professional Makeup Away We Glow Strobe Cream in a thin layer after you apply your makeup in an inverted triangle under your eyes. Lightly tap it into place using your finger,” says Javeri.
Blot shine away
The biggest enemy of staying picture perfect all day, especially as the weather turns warm, is grease and shine. “A common mistake—when confronted with a shine breakout—is reaching for the powder compact,” says Rajani. “That’s the worst thing you can do because it makes you look cakey.” Instead, fix unwanted glow by blotting through the day with wipes like Dromen & Co Green Tea Blotting Paper that are formulated to remove excess oil and impurities from facial skin without disturbing your makeup.
Finally, go hands free!
Mom was right. The only way to keep your complexion spot free and picture perfect is to stop touching your face! Resting your jaw on your palm or stroking your cheek absentmindedly is the best ways to displace your work of art. Now go put your best face forward!
