You’ve got your festival wardrobe and accessories in place and are now heading to a Diwali bash. Now comes the tricky part. The make-up needs to be festive too. While going too blingy is a definite no-no, unless you're taking to the stage, we speak to Matthew Tyler, regional training manager, Estee Lauder Middle East & India to share tips on festive make-up.
Always ensure your skin is perfectly primed and hydrated with a good moisturiser that can offer hydration, SPF and advanced protection. Prepping the skin allows make-up application to be seamless, flawless and beautiful.
Because the Diwali festivities are bound to bring in lots of ceremonious rituals and night long parties, use a long wearing, humidity and sweat proof foundation. Indian women have a warm skin undertone, so using a cooler foundation shade that opposes her undertone will make you stand out. Using a brush, start applying foundation from the centre, where you tend to have maximum redness, and work your way outwards and blend into the neckline and the jaw line. In this way, visible lines can be avoided. Set your base with pressed powder applied with a sponge, so that makeup can stay on longer.
For the eyes, you can create a glam, high-drama look. Prime your lids with a creamy eye shadow base or concealer. Brush on a very metallic silver or gold charcoal colour paired with a matte black, which is easy to coordinate with any type of outfit you’re wearing. Instead of doing a smokey eye, do a hard edge over the lid and underneath the eye for a more intense, dramatic look and finish with several coats of volumising mascara. For an instant lift, don’t forget to brush your brows to perfect them. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes just doing that!
On the lips, try something bolder than you’re normally used to. After conditioning and priming your lips to avoid it appearing dry and flaky, coat lips with a deep matte red, without gloss. If you must add gloss, just a slight touch is enough or it will look too overdone. Finish the look with rosy pink cheeks. Or, if you prefer to go natural, glide on a rosy-peach gloss on bare lips complemented with a peach blush on the cheeks.
As the festivities progress, you might need to touch up here and there. Always have a pressed powder, lip stick or gloss and a blush handy with you and you’re all set!