Beauty essentials for day to dusk transformations.
Busy girls like you don't have time for a complete makeup reboot when you go straight from the office to a swanky dinner even though it's hard to look sultry with a faded lippie, barely there eyeliner and a shiny nose. Fret not; taking your makeup from day to evening is easier than you think.
Nykaa will show you how to dial up the drama and go from frazzled to fantastic with just a few brush and pencil strokes. The trick is to keep your day look as simple and uncomplicated as possible so that it’s easier to work on in the p.m. with minimal changes. “For instance a light dusting of eye shadow can easily be deepened to create more depth in the p.m.” says Nykaa makeup expert Arshis Javeri. Think of your face like a canvas. The less there is on it, the more dramatic the transformation.
The pretty and polished a.m. look
Your skin looks fresh and dewy first thing in the morning, requiring just a light color wash to even out the texture. “Just apply a thin veil of a sheer foundation with SPF, taking care to dab on a creamy concealer over blemishes and under-eye circles if you need more coverage,” says Javeri.
Nykaa suggests a multi-purpose formula like L'Oreal Paris True Match BB Cream or Lotus Herbals Naturalglow Daily Tinted Moisturiser SPF 25. Looking for a concealer? Try Deborah Age Reset Concealer. Circulation tends to be slower in the a.m. If your cheeks are looking washed out, amp up your flush factor with a light dusting of a powder formula like L'Oreal Paris True Match Blush or Lakme 9 to 5 Pure Rouge Blusher to give a subtle boost to your cheeks. Finish up with a sheer pink gloss like Lakme Absolute Gloss Stylist Lip Gloss or Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain on the lips. Use kajal by all means and a hint of eye shadow if your eyes look washed out. Choose from Lakme Absolute Kohl Ultimate, Fabindia Almond Kajal, L'Oreal Paris Open Eyes Pro Eye Shadow and Revlon Illuminance Cream Shadow.
Workday pro to evening diva
After a hard day's work, Nykaa will show you how to make a quick-n-easy gorgeous and glowy transformation. Start by wiping off remnants of the day's makeup, dirt and grime.
Since there isn't time to go through the whole cleansing-toning-moisturizing rigmarole, use blotting paper like Basicare Natural Facial Oil Blotting Paper to cleanse dirt and oil. Resist the urge to dab at shine with a compact because you'll end up looking cakey and patchy. Or use alcohol-free baby wipes like Johnson & Johnson Baby Skincare Wipes. Make sure to cleanse your neck and décolletage as well.
Cheeks that gleam
Next apply a moisturizing foundation like L'Oreal Paris Infallible Liquid Foundation that comes with a Hydra-Luminous complex that adds back moisture lost over the day thanks to air conditioning, too much coffee and workday stress. Deepen your blush to add a subtle glow to cheeks. “Add candlelit glam with highlighter.
Brush on the top of cheekbones and under the eyes to accent the center of your face,” says Javeri. Then for added oomph try a light swipe of bronzing powder on your cheekbones back toward your temples, across your hairline, and just below your chin. Finally hide blemishes and shiny spots with concealer. Nykaa recommends Lakme Absolute Moon-Lit Highlighter and NYX Tango With Bronzing Powder. For additional glamor, experiment with sparkles like Colorbar Body shimmer. “The perfect night club look” declares Javeri. Use it to highlight cheekbones, forehead, shoulders, neck and collar bones (if you are wearing an off shoulder blouse).
Amp up your eyes
Your eyes will be the focus of your evening look, so take a few minutes to play them up. If your kajal has smudged or disappeared re-line the upper and lower lash lines, and pile on the shadow for added drama. Forgotten your eye shadow at home?
No problem! Just draw short strokes of black liner on your lid and blend well for a soft, smoking hot look. You could even amp up your style by drawing a cat eye or winged look with your eye liner pencil. If you’re an eye shadow kinda girl, remember to keep your favorite eye palette handy. “For a hot night-time look, use a darker shade of your day wear eye shadow. Evenings are also a time to experiment with knockout metallic shades like purple, navy blue, silver and platinum. Finish up with lashings of mascara like Colorbar Zoom & Whoosh Mascara or Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Mascara – Washable.
Pucker up
Changing your lip color can dramatically change your entire look, says Javeri. If you're a neutral babe by day, smack on a pop of color to punch up your p.m. look.
It's easier to start from scratch and wipe off remnants of earlier dabs of lippie and gloss. Use a wet wipe and dab with blotting paper. Then apply up a bright hue and top off with a dab of sparkling gold or iridescent gloss for a glamorous gleam. Shimmer can really wipe away hours of fatigue and make you the life of the party. Take your pick from Maybelline Superstay 14hr Lipstick, L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Intense Lipstick, and Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment.
