While beauty might not be rocket science, it sure as hell can get scientific. Luckily, at Nykaa, we get to hobnob with makeup experts, celebrities and beauty gurus all the time – all for a noble purpose: getting the dirt on how to look damn good.
From home remedies and hacks to skin and makeup secrets, here are some of the best pearls of beauty wisdom we've received recently..
With love,
From ours to yours.
From ours to yours.
OIL IT, DON’T SPOIL IT
If you haven’t incorporated face oils into your skincare routine yet, we’re sure Gwyneth Paltrow can make a case for them. She swears by Omega 3 oil, a powerhouse ingredient for ageless skin, voluminous hair and a happier state of mind. And it’s not just her – the oil revolution has taken the beauty industry by storm. Plus, it fits right into that dewy-sexy trend. In fact, makeup artists Namrata Soni swears by oils, pat into the skin right before for a sheer, glowy base.
GET CARDED
The last time we were on set for one of our masterclasses, we were all confounded at Sonam Chandna’s request for one of our debit cards. It wasn’t to go on a Nykaa beauty binge, if that’s what you’re thinking. The makeup artist uses business and debit cards to get the best use of her mascara. Place the card along your upper and lower lash line before you apply product for a clump- and transfer-free application. This prevents product from smudging on or around your lids, leaving you with long, luscious and tidy lashes that don’t cost a thing.
Nykaa recommends: Wet n Wild Mega Protein Waterproof Mascara - Very Black.
STUDY ROUGE-SCIENCE
There’s a whole new science to ‘lit-from-within’ and it comes courtesy celebrity makeup artist James Vincent. Get the biggest bang out of your blush by – wait for it – applying it before your foundation. According to the expert, a warm pink on the apples right before your base makes it looks like it’s coming from beneath the skin. And that’s not all – he suggests pinks be placed on the apples for a natural flush, while peaches or corals should be placed on the highest point of your cheekbone for the effect of “heat rising”. Makeup’s a science, too, you know!
Nykaa recommends: Maybelline New York Color Show Blush - Peachy Sweetie.
DON A DIY GLOW
Makeup artist Shamita Gogia and blogger Kayaan Contractor came over to educate us about cruelty-free beauty and brands, but we got some bonus skincare tips on the side too! The clear-skinned besties told us that they swear by home remedies including rice flower or water (great for firming and brightening), slices of raw potato used on the under-eyes to reduce puffiness and pigmentation, and DIY moisturizer made from vitamin E capsules mixed with primrose oil.
FAKE A LIP JOB
The queen of makeup sorcery, Huda’s always showing us how to enhance what our mamas gave us with a few simple tools. To fake fuller lips, she suggests using a dark-colored liner along your cupid’s bow, in the corners and along the underside of your bottom lip. Fill in your lips with a lighter color and blend it together with the liner, and then go back with a nude-colored pencil under the first lip line. Blend again, and you’re pucker-perfect!
BE ENLIGHTENED & BRIGHTEN
Every time we have a masterclass, the single, most recurring question is how to get rid of pesky, dark under-eyes. Who better than the reigning makeup artist of the year to help us out? Puneet Saini told us the three biggest mistakes of under-eye concealing: 1) Over-moisturizing your eye area, and then adding to the creaminess with concealer– give it time to settle, first! 2) Forgetting to set your product with powder and 3) Using powder in an inner to outer corner motion, which accentuates fine lines – go the other way, so product fills in and levels out the creases.
Nykaa recommends: Absolute New York HD Flowless Setting Powder, L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD.
STRIKE A BALANCE
The need for models to look ravishing all the time means they pick up lots of pro tips and tricks along the way. For Kanishtha Dhankar, the perfect beauty look is a play on subtlety. Her party staples are simple: liquid foundation, lip tint, peach blush and curled lashes with a touch of mascara. To keep it understated, she focuses on one feature at a time – either a statement lip and nothing else, or bold liner coupled with a glossy, nude lip. Like the wise-women say, beauty is in the balance.
