The number of tutorials and hack videos on social media can often leave one confused about achieving that 'lit from within' make-up glow. So, when in doubt, turn to the experts. We asked leading make-up artists and Bollywood go-tos for a quick 101. The top takeaways — less is more, keep it simple, don't feel the pressure to look like everyone else, and just have fun with it. Read on for their insider tips that need to make it your everyday make-up ritual.
01Well Begun is Half Done
Skincare and make-up are not mutually exclusive. Instead, they go hand in hand to achieve that flawless finish. Make-up artist Arti Nayar, who is a go-to for Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Radhika Merchant and Bhumi Pednekar, stresses the importance of starting your routine with a really good moisturiser. "Use skincare as your primer. Starting with a moisturiser promises an ultimate dewy and supple look," she says. But a word of caution: your morning skincare isn't the base to work with if you're putting on your make-up later in the day. "Make-up needs a fresh canvas. Always wash your face and re-apply your creams as prep, before you go in with your products," she advises. Mitesh Rajani, who is on the speed dial of everyone from Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday to Anushka Sharma, agrees. "Find a base cream that works for you and stick to it. I'm not a big fan of primers, and would rarely recommend it unless you need a pore minimiser." He also cautions against Vitamin C if you're going to step out in the sun soon after.
02When it Comes to Correction, Less is More
Repeat after us: Colour correction and concealing blemishes do not equal a cakey base. Quite the contrary, in fact. Rajani admits that he doesn't like a full face of foundation on his celebrity clients. "I use really light water-based foundations mixed with concealer, and use it only where needed," he says. "The face has its own natural contours and dimensions that make it unique. The minute you put on a full face of foundation, and add contours and shadows on your own, you are ageing the face," he adds. Instead of a compact, which Nayar feels is good only for one touch-up, carry a loose powder and puff to mattify your T-zone when you're on the go. "You can just pre-dab your puff, dust off the excess, and carry it wrapped in a tissue in your purse," she suggests. "And no, you don't always need setting spray. Just let your make-up sit for a while, and the natural face oils will settle the make-up."
03Invest in the Right Shade
While less is more when it comes to colour correction, the desired result can only be achieved with shades that match your skin tone. Choosing the right foundation shade is an essential step in avoiding common pitfalls like grey undertones in your make-up. "Whether you're using a skin tint, sheer foundation or a concealer, using the wrong shade will lead to grey undertones in your make-up," says make-up artist Lekha Shah who has worked with Natasha Poonawalla, Kanika Kapoor and House of Misu in the past. "Warmer tones like red, orange and peach typically work for the under eye. But then again, it depends on your natural skin tone. The best way to find your perfect shade is to go to a store, and make an educated purchase after consulting with the in-store team." Rajani will also sometimes mix various colours to arrive at the perfect tone to conceal a certain spot. There is no one-shade-fits-all formula here. You have to find what works best for you.
04Make your Products Work Double Duty
Just because that viral tutorial on Instagram features 15 products for a simple, everyday 'no make-up' make-up look, that doesn't mean you need to run out and add each product to your arsenal too. Multi-purpose wonders are the real stars of well-rounded kits, according to the experts. "Don't buy and hoard. Use your products in multiple ways. You don't need the most expensive buys or the maximum number of products to look great," feels Nayar. "Your highlighter can double as eyeshadow, and lipstick works as a blush too." Rajani loves tints that can go on the lips, cheeks and eyes for the same reason. His pro tip? "Apply the tint before the moisturiser and concealer. That way, the flushed colour looks like it's a part of your skin."
05Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
The fine art of makeup has a lot to do with enhancing your features. This includes keeping the look directed to one focal point on the face. Playing up your eyes is one of the oldest tricks in the book, but the key lies in just the right flourishes without going overboard. "Mascara that looks very heavy is a problem for me. The high-impact ones often look very clingy and bulky on the eyes. I prefer something lighter," admits Rajani. Shah would have you use a lash curler, and apply your mascara from the roots to the ends. "This automatically opens up the eyes to give you a semi-false lash kind of look. You can even skip the eye liner then." Another trick in Shah's playbook is to brighten the inner corner of the eye to give your face a pop. "Use a lighter tone — it could be nude, white, a soft gold beige or anything that's two or three shades brighter than your own skin tone in the nude family."
06More Than Just Lip Service
Anything overdone is best left in the past, and that includes, "hectic lipsticks and pouts," in Rajani's world. "Put a little bit of lip balm or Vaseline for a nice hydrated look. That's all we need." Shah would add a hydrating lip primer to that list. "You can dab a matte liquid lipstick on this to make it stay longer. Matte lipsticks are longer lasting than creamy lipsticks or glosses." In the end, the experts are in unanimous agreement on the most important lesson — whether it is the number of products you need or how much of them you need to apply to your face, a little truly does go a long way.
