Monsoon - Make Up!!

Foundation melting off your face, dark smudges under the eyes, mascara and eye liner that runs, concealer that blotches, lip gloss that drips ... SIMPLE: Check out actress Kareens Kapoor’s minimalistic makeup look
sounds familiar?

Well, these are some of the common monsoon related makeup woes that most women face. “This is the prime season as far as skin is concerned. There is excess humidity in the air causing the skin to sweat a lot and look sticky,” says Sushma Khan, National Trainer, Skin, Lakme Salon. According to her, the best option is to look after the skin well so that the need to apply makeup is minimalised.
But hey, what’s life without a nice touch of makeup, right? And so, if you are one of those who’s facing the above mentioned problems, here’s what you need to look out for:

Foundation
“Too much of foundation is one of the biggest mistakes,” says celebrity makeup artiste, Clint Fernandes. He adds that with the weather being moist and humid, foundation often tends to smudge and smear. “Instead, use a compact and touch it up when you reach your destination,” he adds.
Another common mistake women make is using the incorrect product and shade. “They don’t usually bother to check whether their foundation is water resistant,” says Anjalee Gaekwar, Sales and Education Manager, Estee Lauder, India. Meanwhile, Stafford Braganza, head makeup artist, Lancôme India advises, “Select a shade that’s closest to your natural skin undertone.” He adds that applying a compact will help to set the foundation and make it last all day long. Sushma meanwhile opines that since the main purpose of a foundation is to even out the skin tone, women with flawless skin can actually do without it. “Instead, use a concealer and then use a matt compact,” she suggests.

Eyes
“One of the most common mistakes is that of not taking care of eye makeup before stepping out of the house,” says Anjalee adding that it is essential to use a waterproof eyeliner and mascara. Explaining this Stafford says, “If the mascara is not waterproof, it will smudge or run down the cheeks and that looks awful.” Sushma meanwhile, suggests using a transparent mascara and a water proof kajal pencil to leave you with zero smudges and hassle free in the rains. “Blend it in with your finger so that your eyes get a smokey effect,” she suggests. Another option Stafford says is to put away the usual dark colours and instead, go it for fresher blues, greens, aquas and magentas. “All waterproof, of course,” he adds.

Lipstick
“Don’t use too much of gloss. The humidity causes it to drip and that looks yucky,” says Clint. For lipsticks, the cardinal rule is to go in for the long lasting, matt effect types. “One big mistake is that women choose shades which are too dark for the monsoons. Steer clear of dark or heavy colours and go in for fresh and clean ones like marines, corals and peaches,” Stafford says. According to Sushma, it’s best to go in for a light lip pencil for the outer rim of the lip and a lip balm for the lips.

Blush
“Women tend to choose the wrong texture of blush. Remember, during the monsoons it should be soft and complement you. Always use a cream or mousse blush preferably something that is water resistant,” says Stafford. And for those who are not so inclined towards the blusher, Sushma gives an easy alternative. “Instead of a lot of blush, take a little lipstick and apply it on the cheeks and spread it out evenly,” she suggests.

Moisturiser and sunscreen
“Many women don’t use a moisturiser as they believe that if they feel their skin is oily, they do not need to. That’s absolutely wrong! Just because your skin is oily does not necessarily mean your skin is hydrated,” says Stafford. Anjalee adds that when cells are damaged by factors such as UV exposure, pollution and glycation, they age before their time and begin to lose optimal function. “Using the right face moisturiser can reverse the cellular aging process and dramatically reduce the look of lines and wrinkles,” she says. Clint meanwhile emphasises that it’s absolutely necessary to use a sunscreen, “Yes, even in this whether,” he says adding that the high levels of pollution in the air make it a must. Stafford adds, “UVA and UVB rays can penetrate even through the clouds. So don’t forget to apply your sunscreen and also, ensure that you apply it at least 25 minutes before leaving your home,” he advises