Now that everyone is back from summering in Europe, East Asia, and the Maldives, it’s time to scale back on the sunset blush, beachy waves, and dramatic lips for some slick backs, soft blush, and a pigmented lip that stays beyond the gushing wind that brings raindrops from all sides. Unlike summer, which is hot, humid, and heavy, and winter, which is cold, crackling, and dry, monsoon, very conveniently, chooses all of the above. It’s humid and dry, hot and cold, wet and heavy all at the same time. This means your makeup or skincare has to cater to very changing weather conditions. While we have a bunch of monsoon-swap recommendations for every skintype, season, and style, here’s what our Nykaa employees swear by during the muggy weather.
Clara’s No-Budge Matte Lippie
“This liquid matte lipstick from Lakmē is the perfect formulation for those rainy days when the water hits your face from all sides, hair’s stuck everywhere, and there’s this icky-stickiness all around. This dry yet creamy matte lipstick is the perfect counterpart to wetness all around you. It balances out your look while giving you the perfect pout. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to hydrate your lips without being oily. It also smoothens out the cracks and softens your puckers. I love using this during the rainy season as it’s not sticky yet moisturising.”
Dwiti’s Slick Back Game
“I have naturally curly hair, and my textured hair gets really frizzy during the monsoon season with the water and sweat. So most days, you’ll find me in a modest bun that just keeps the strands out of my face and neck. Even though I have long hair, my baby hair gets frantically all over the place, making me look like Monica from Friends. So, my go-to monsoon buddy, whether I’m at work or out with my girlfriends, is a pocket-friendly hair flyaway stick. The Moxie waz styling stick is made for coarse and curly hair that needs to be tamed, and just a few swipes give me a Pinterest-coded slick back without the greasiness.”
Drishti’s Soft-Glam Tint
“If there is one cheek tint I swear by, it is the Bene Tint from Benefit Cosmetics. Not only does it last all day long, but it needs an oil-based cleanser to completely remove all the pigment, so come rain or shine, the colour is here to stay. Also, talking about pigment, just one drop on either side is all you need for that naturally flushed look. Imagine your favourite Bollywood actress dancing in the rain, all drenched with a beautifully blushed cheek, walking in her quite solace, that is the hue it leaves on your skin.”
Gau’s Aloe Obssession
“My skin type is very weird, some days it is dry as a bone, and oily as fritters on the other, so my aim is to always get the right amount of hydration that doesn’t make my sebaceous glands produce excess oil, nor let it dry away. So, my go-to will always be a good aloe vera gel that is natural, cooling, and moisturising. During the rainy weather, when the temperature and humidity levels keep fluctuating, I need my reliable source of hydration.”
Krisha’s Kohlstar Kajal
“If you know me, you know I will never be seen in public without my eyes lined. My winged eyeliner is a testament to my obsession with the right formulation, and I swear by the Kay Beauty Kajal pencil that I use especially during the rains because it’s waterproof, smudge-proof, and long-lasting. The smooth texture also helps glide on the skin and makes drawing graphic lines easier.”
Parting Thoughts
It is important to have a different set of makeup products during the monsoon season that are waterproof, smudge-proof, hydrating, and long-lasting, that hold the look for long, come rain or shine. The monsoon weather brings with it all the environmental stressors you can think of, and thus, a monsoon vanity is of utmost importance.
