Looking fabulous doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours in front of the mirror labouring over a make-up kit — going by what the experts say, all it takes is 10 minutes or even less to look one’s best.
Ameena Qureshi, a senior make-up artist and trainer with a premium brand, points out. “These days, working women rarely find the time to do up their faces, so they skip wearing make-up altogether. You just need to be a little smart and adopt some time-saving tricks. Carry the basics, like a cleanser, pressed powder, moisturiser, eye pencil, mascara and lip gloss with you all the time.”
Like always, it’s the base that holds the key to a flawless look. So make sure you moisturise using the right product for your skin type and apply it evenly over the face and neck area. “You can add a drop or two of liquid foundation to this to cut down on time. Otherwise, just use a mineral foundation which will eliminate the need for a compact powder later on,” says Shruti Naithani, a skin care consultant and advisor with a premium brand.
Wearing blush is a tricky affair for a lot of women. However, experts dismiss these concerns and say that there is one foolproof way to overcome this problem area. “Stand in front of the mirror and smile broadly, now you can spot the center of your cheek. Apply the colour on this spot and blend it towards your temples,” instructs Ameena.
Eye make-up is another key area that needs attention. “Choose your colours carefully, if you have small eyes, then a black eyeliner or eye pencil is ruled out, because it makes your eyes even smaller. Opt for colours like midnight blue, charcoal grey, even a smoky green or a warm chocolate brown is a good idea if you can carry it off. Skip the eyeshadow. Instead, finish off with a coat of waterproof mascara,” advises Shruti.
“Since most of us are pressed for time these days, doing the whole lip liner, lipstick routine is not an option. Instead, choose a lip gloss in a shade that suits your skin. This will also give you extra shine and plump up your lips,” adds Ameena. Finishing up the routine is also just as important, so spritz some make-up spray or dust translucent powder that will hold your look together.
Voila! Your ten minutes are up — and you’re ready to go wow `em with your smashing, perfectly-made-up look…