HER ‘BIG DAY’ LOOK!

Has the Year 2020 changed anything for the Indian bride when it comes to the big day look that she has always envisaged? The answer: No! She still wishes to look the way she always desired to, without any compromise on her make-up. But considering that brides do have to wear the mask, even if it is selectively, the eyes seem to be doing all the talking this bridal season.

With the beauty industry facing a close-down in the initial lockdown months, it is certainly a positive sign to see the experts now occupied in the new normal with their calendars blocked, considering the bridal season and New Year’s Eve coming along. As business picks up and creative hands get busy, we reach out to three celebrity makeup artists to get some insights on the make-up colours and techniques trending this bridal season.

LET THE EYES DO THE TALKING

“The focus is on playing up the eyes, considering that a lot of the brides are wearing masks occasionally,” says, Zorain Khaleeli, Celebrity Makeup Artist and Founder, Zorain Studios, Bengaluru. She adds, “The preference is to have larger eyes, more enhanced size, and so, white and nude pencils to line the waterline are much in use. This creates some nice expansive look, and at the same time, adds a slight amount of drama to the entire look. With the white pencil, brides also have the choice to play subtle or intense.” Speaking of glitters, Khaleeli mentions two different trends: some who love it and some who don’t at all. She says, “Some brides are choosing to go more matt satin rather than doing shimmers, and of course, the other segment is all in for glitter and shimmers.”

Along with glitters, Celebrity Makeup and Beauty Artist Namrata Soni, says that a lot of bold colours are trending for eye make-up. “Brides are loving colours such as rose gold, a slightly dull grey or silver, as well as pinks and greens. There is also demand for coloured smoky eyes, and of course the glitter eyeliner and glitter carols.” As for trending eye make-up colours, Cherag Bambboat, Celebrity Makeup Artist, and Founder, Magical Makeovers, lists, “Lots of hues of magenta, pink, corals deep purple, and electric blue styles and glossed shimmer metallic matt velvet.

PERFECT POUT FOR THE D-DAY

It’s good to know that brides are being experimental with colours for the lips. As Khaleeli shares, “The colours are hovering around your oranges and flushes of pink, especially the flesh pink and not the bright pink.” She adds, “There is a lot of skin tone mimic, and new brides are definitely going all out. When they want to use colour, they are trying to be subtle and use a nude palette.”

While Bambboat mentions red coral, glazed coral, burgundy, and mauve; Soni spontaneously mentions the pinkish-brownish nudes as the ‘in’ colours, along with bride pinks and bride reds that are always a favourite with brides.

WORK THOSE BROWS

Any make-up artist worth his salt knows that eyebrows shape the face and can be a deal breaker for a bride. “No matter how beautiful the eye make-up or the skin work is, it will never look great without perfectly done eyebrows,” says Soni.

Giving insights on the best way to do eyebrows, Soni shares, “Remember to match the exact hair colour. If the eyebrows are dark brown or black, do not go in for a light brown, as the difference between the eyebrow hair and the colour applied will be evident.” She adds that just like the Ombre technique, the darkest part of the eyebrows should be towards the end. The need to fill up the inner corner of the eyebrows is only when there are massive gaps. Else, with the darkest being the outer corner, it should go medium and the light inwards.

Bambboat is clear at stating, “The eyebrows should look like sisters and not twins. Brow tattoo pen from Maybelline and brow filler powder and brow mascara by M.A.C all work well.”

On her part, Khaleeli says, “A simply structured eyebrows also offers a facelift. One could also play with the area of the eyelid space, enhance it a bit by giving it a slightly more arched look. This does have a Botox effect, making the bride look slightly younger.” She cautions that if the eyebrows are underplayed, it will not result into the desired outcome and obviously the structure would be lost.

SIGNATURE BASE TECHNIQUE

Soni has been airbrushing since the last 17 years, and this is her signature technique. Bambboat mentions airbrush and velvet satin finish base with soft focused contour or tantouring as his signature style.

Khaleeli loves to prep her canvas well. She says, “The biggest challenge in a base is when you have dry and dead skin. Hence, skin prep is one of the first and foremost things that should be taken care of.” Moisturisers can be used to hydrate the skin. Primers are important to specially hydrate drier skin. The last thing, which is based on all of this, Khaleeli says, “What is the client’s requirement on the finish.” While she would add a little bit of an illuminator, the most important thing in a base for her is to keep it clean and matt. She says, “I love a matt finish in a base because then you can add and shine strategically wherever you want. You can actually play with dimensions.” As she concludes, a base is meant to have dimensions, a flawless clean finish, and it should be breathable.

The bridal season is a true test of mettle for make-up artists and the more you stay updated with trends, the more you are equipped to cater to the demands of your discerning bridal clients.