Amidst this unfamiliar reality, we continue to stay above water and adapt to what we call the ‘post-COVID world’. A world that has led us to a path that we never prophesied. Now, while none of us really hold a map through this perplexing maze, we were thrilled to notice that the beauty sphere remains robust. On that positive note, my fellow colleague (Hi, Synjini Nandi!) and I thought we’d try our hands on two of the most talked about trends that beauty has to offer this year. The experience, somewhat therapeutic.
We challenged ourselves to what we call the ‘minimalist vs maximalist’ venture. Synjini went minimalistic with a basic approach, featuring glossy skin, neutral shadows and peachy cheeks. While I went all in and undertook the maximalist route. I embraced beauty in excess with doses of neons, galaxy-inspired pigments and splashes of glitter. We break our look down and share this experience with you. Here’s how it went.
MAXIMALIST BEAUTY
EDITOR: Lakshmi Nayar
The look: Tribal Meets Bohemian
What: Maximalist beauty. A challenging trend that could either go right or awfully wrong. That said, I decided not to play safe this time by throwing my inhibitions out the window (which was liberating, tbh). I call this look ‘tribal meets bohemian’. It involves rich blue falsies, lush pink for the shadow and a crisp tribal black strip for the lips. Any regrets you ask? None. Heck, I'd even wear this look to the grocery store. Pinkie promise.
Where: Virtual birthday parties, Netflix and chill, yoga class and the local grocery store (because, why not?)
How To
Face: Start by prepping your face with the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Foundation Primer - Smooth & Blur. Post that, get your hands on the L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD to tackle your specific problematic areas and follow that up with the NYX Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation. Don’t forget to dab on the Kay Beauty HD Setting Loose Powder to keep lock your base.
Cheeks: I compromised on my cheeks and kept them neutral by swiping on a soft earthy hue like the Colorbar Cheek illusion Blush - Earthy Touch. If you prefer going slightly stronger on the blush, a warm brown would pretty dope as well. I’d pick the L.A. Colors Rad Rouge Blush - Stocked for an edgier mood.
Eyes: To avoid pigment spillage, ALWAYS begin your eye look by dabbing some loose powder under your eye to wipe off any excess powder that may sprinkle onto your cheeks. For the eyes go for GlamGals Diamond Eyeshadow - Barbie Pink to create a rich pink wash and smoke it out it to your lower lashes for a complete 360 approach. I followed this up with blue falsies for that extra oomph. For those not comfortable with false lashes can go for a rich blue mascara like the Guerlain Cils d'Enfer Maxi Lash Mascara - 04 Marine.
Lips: Begin by smearing a lip stain of your choice. I went for my all time favorite Innifree Vivid Oil Tint - 1 for that ‘barely-there’ finish. If you prefer a cream formula, the Ruby's Organics Tinted Lip Balm - Cinnamon is equally brilliant. Lastly, the black tribal line (ah, my favorite step). I used a matte eyeliner like the Colorbar All-Matte Eyeliner for precision and a straight line connecting the centre of my upper lip all the way to my bottom lip. This bold lip stripe was the perfect closing act to my maximalist beauty look. Was it all worth it at the end? Hell, yes!
MINIMALIST BEAUTy
EDITOR: Synjini Nandi
The look: Smoky Eye 2.0
What: If you love a smokey eye as much as I do (and want to wear it from AM to PM), then this one is just what your glam squad ordered. Swap the black eyeshadow for a subtle shimmery nude-brown hue on your lids and line the upper lashline with a navy-blue liner (I prefer a winged liner). The clincher: smudging dark brown shadow on the crease of your eyes to highlight ‘em peepers and make a statement. I have paired this with glossy skin and creamy rosy nude lips that balances the look perfectly.
Where: Wear it to your morning Zoom meeting, while running errands or even for cocktail hour with your girls.
How To
Face: Prep your skin by cleansing, toning and moisturising. Apply Iba Halal Care Photo Perfect HD Face Primer to keep the makeup in place. Next, mix a drop of NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator with a foundation (I love the Nykaa SkinShield Anti-Pollution Matte Foundation) closest to your skin tone for gorgeous glossy skin. To hide imperfections, dab a concealer such as the Wet n Wild Photo Focus Concealer and set the base with a sprinkle of loose powder.
Cheeks: For a natural glow, dust a highlighter powder such as the Kay Beauty Illuminating Highlighter on the higher planes of your cheeks. I have also used the Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer to sculpt my cheekbones and add definition; plus, applied a peachy powder blush on the apples of my cheek for a gentle flushed look. PS: Blend well.
Eyes: Start by applying a light brown eyeshadow (Miss Claire Single Eyeshadow – 0245) on your lids. Apply a spot of silver highlighter in the inner corner of the eyes and on the brow bone. Using a dark blue liner like the Colorbar I-Glide Eye Pencil - Blue Topaz draw a thick tapered line across the upper lashline and extend it outwards to create the perfect winged eye. Next, smudge a bit of dark brown eyeshadow on the crease to highlight the eyes. Blend well. Carefully apply two coats of lengthening mascara to the top and bottom lashes to open them up instantly.
Lips: Exfoliate lips to remove dead skin. Apply lip balm to hydrate and follow with a semi-matte nude lippy such (ideally with pink undertones) such as the Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick - Sugar Mama
It’s safe to say that this challenge was certainly worth every smear, swish and swatch. Though Synjini opted for more of an ‘easy as pie’ approach, she highly recommends the minimalist direction being equally impactul for uber glamorous occasions as well. My takeaway was leaning more towards breaking conventional stereotypes for OTT looks. Even if that means heading out to the local market to restock my fridge. I’d love to know what you’ll think of our looks. Most importantly, which one would you go for?
