With an ever-increasing range of makeup products available in both the Indian market as well as via online shopping websites, the Indian woman has a lot of products to choose from, and might, in her quest to acquire the best products, end up choosing something which does not suit her skin type, tone or simply, fails to highlight her features. In order to avoid making these sometimes expensive mistakes, we have put together a list of Indian skin-friendly make up buying tips, and have also recommended some companies which stock shades which suit our skin the best.
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| image src: unp.me |
White Skin Syndrome
The first issue with Indian skin and currently available make up products is the “white skin syndrome”, which is often associated with using the wrong foundation and concealer base. Pale skin tones can get away with “white-base” foundations, but warmer tones tend to become grey and have a washed-out look. To solve this, companies such as Kryolan and MAC stock a variety of warm colour bases which cover imperfections, contour and highlight the cheekbones while maintaining a fresh, healthy glow. Other brands which stock Indian-skin friendly bases and concealers are Inglot, Clinique, Make Up Forever and occasionally, Revlon and Chambor.
Eyeliner
The next issue is more of a debate than an actual problem, and involves the type of eyeliner to use. The humble stick of Kajal has now been replaced with a number of other options, and Maybelline’s Colossal Kajal appears to be a clear winner in the market, and is widely praised on beauty blogging sites. Other popular eyeliners are from companies like Chambor, Lakme and Bourjois, which boast of a wide array of jewel tones which complement medium toned skin perfectly. Liquid liners from the same companies allow for greater definition and allow users to create that perfect “winged effect” on their eyelids. Larger, foreign brands offer a greater variety of shades, so MAC, Kryolan and Inglot once again would be the places to visit, while Maybelline’s “Color Tattoo” gel eyeliners are both affordable and popular.
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| Maybelline Colossal Kajal |
Blush & Brush
Blush tones, if not chosen correctly or applied in the right manner, could result in unsightly splotches of bright colour over ones cheeks, which is why it is recommended to invest in a good blusher brush, and to experiment a bit with the application technique. Budget price brushes can be bought from Faces and Vega, whereas more serious make up enthusiasts can consider “Kabuki” brushes from Bourjois, which help in blending the colour into the skin for a more natural effect. Faces and Coastal Scents stock a good selection of blushes and the latter, along with companies such as Kryolan, offer palettes, which contain up to 8 different shades, ranging from peach tones to pinks and are suited for varying skin tones and allow the creation of different looks. It is advisable for one to buy a palette in order to be able to experiment with casual as well as night time looks.
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| image courtesy: kryolan.com |
Eye-shadow
Eye-shadow for Indian skin tones are available in various shades, and are fun to experiment with via colour blocks or by blending one shade into another. There is no limit to what kind of eye-shadow one can use, and when combined with well-defined eyes and good quality mascara, the effect could be artistic and elegant or edgy. There is a large market for eye-shadows and if one does not want to spend too much money, but also build a collection of colours, there are a number of unbranded palettes available. For those who would like to customize specific shades or go in for a consultation to find out which colours accentuate their eye colour and shape, consultants at brands such as MAC and Inglot will allow customers to create their own palette with up to 15 colours per palette. Jewel tones and primary shades are recommended for hazel/brown eyes.
Lipstick, Lip Balm or Lip Stain
Pink or peach lip shades are available in a variety of forms, and for frequent application, lip tints, chubby sticks and lip stains come in handy rather than lipstick, which tend s to stain teeth and come off quite easily. Indian skin tones can get away with most shades, and while it is not recommended to wear bright red to work, red shades work the best with our skin tone and a little consultation with professional makeup artists will help find the right shade of red. “Ruby Woo” by MAC is popular among Indian makeup enthusiasts, and Clinique’s chubby stick shades in Raspberry and Strawberry suit slightly fairer skin tones.
Lip balms from Nivea are fruit-flavored and have hints of pale pink, while Body Shop’s Lip Stain lasts for up to 8 hours.
Makeup Base - Foundation
Mostly it is the foundation which constitutes the base on which other makeup is applied, and once you discover “your” shade, it should blend into your skin and match perfectly without making you look lighter or darker. A concealer should follow which once again, will not impact your original skin colour, but will cover acne scars and other marks, and give you that flawless look.
Tips
A waterproof eyeliner and mascara is recommended to ward off the “panda” eyes effect which occurs when you perspire or your face is wet. A good blusher should highlight your cheekbones and could slim your face. A good quality translucent powder [try Kryolan or NYX] will remove shine and give your skin a matte look, while a tinted lip balm or stain will give your lips a natural pout and can be replaced with a red or coral lipstick for formal occasions.
Do not forget to invest in good quality makeup brushes, Vega, Faces, and The Body Shop offer affordable sets while those who shop online can try Sephora.
Other brands which have a wide range of Indian skin-friendly products are www.eyeslipsface.com and www.coastalscents.com. You can also check out
StrawberryNet.com which brings you a lot of the brands at discounted prices and offers free world wide shipping
Guest article from www.glad2bawoman.com. Glad2bawoman is an online media company for women with over 76,000 members. The articles on their site encompass various topics around Health, Empowerment, Relationships, Leisure and Fashion.
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