Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it is time to look your best. It does not matter if you are going on a special date, looking for one or just taking a walk with friends and family, you want to look and feel your absolute best.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to pamper yourself. So beauty diva Shahnaz Husain shares some make-up tips on how to get a dazzling skin and the gorgeous look.
Water-based moisture is essential for glowing skin. Moisturisers provide a good base before applying any makeup. Moisturisers which are formulated with shea butter, dimethicone, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water help provide long-lasting hydration. Hydrate and nourish your skin every night before sleeping.
If your skin is clear, leave out foundation during the day. Use baby powder, or compact power. Pay more attention to the oily areas of the face, like nose, forehead and chin. Press the powder all over the face and neck with a slightly damp sponge. This helps it to set and last longer.
If you want to use foundation at night, choose a water-based one. Add a drop of water for a lighter coverage. Before applying foundation, apply astringent lotion if your skin is oily, or moisturising lotion for dry skin. Wait for a few minutes to allow the skin to absorb it. Next, use concealer to cover up pimples and scars, if any. Or use two shades of foundation. One shade should be as close to your skin colour as possible. The other should be a shade lighter if the blemishes are dark. Take a little light coloured foundation and apply it directly on the pimple or pimple scar. Avoid rubbing or smearing. Pat it on the skin. Then apply your normal foundation on the face and using a moist sponge, spread it evenly going outwards. Remember the neck too. Blending is important to achieve a smooth finish. Apply tinted loose powder on top to set the foundation. You can also use compact powder.
Blusher comes next or you can apply it at the end. Use powder blusher. Pink or peach blusher would suit most skin tones. Apply on the cheekbones and slightly below it. Use your finger tips to dot the area with blusher. Then blend with the brush outwards and slightly upwards.
For the eyes, use a brown shadow on the eyelids. Use the same shadow under the lower lashes instead of eyeliner or kaajal. Take a darker brown eye shadow and apply it on the upper lid close to the upper lashes. The entire effect will be natural. If you want to line the eyes, use an eye pencil. Give your eyes a light touch of mascara.
Wear a sun block for outdoor events during the day. Take proper sleep for at least eight hours during night. Lack of sleep will show on your face no matter how well you fashion your appearance. Put a drop or two of lavender oil on your pillowcase and relax. Sandalwood and Clary Sage are other options.
For the night, use a dark brown or dark grey eye shadow on the lids close to the lashes and stroke it upwards and outwards. For the smoky eyed look, line the eyes with eyeliner close to the lashes and then smudge the liner slightly with a sponge tipped applicator. For luscious lips, go for a soft pink or berry hues which are no more than two shades darker than your natural lip colour. Exfoliate your lips the night before date night with a gentle lip scrub.
For the buttery soft and smooth lips, plain gloss can be enough for the day, or add a touch of gloss over light pink or mauve lipstick. Coloured gloss is also available. Avoid using lip liners and just brush the lips with lipstick, going for shades of pink, from pale pink to rose or tawny pink. At night, go for rose, coral or bronze, or just stick to pink. Just don’t forget to hydrate your lips with your favorite lip balm, salve or conditioner after exfoliating. Wear a light flowery or lemony fragrance, nothing too overpowering.
The last tip — always be kind and confident.
