Get the look: Fun in the sun

Bollywood actor Neha Dhupia attended a promotional event in Mumbai wearing the perfect summer ensemble. The actor has enough oomph to overshadow the typical school uniform combination — if we looked this good in our uniforms, we’d be screaming with joy!

Make-up

The actor is usually seen sporting the au natural look which totally works in her favour and makes her look like an exotic princess (move over, Pocahontas). Neha has put on a light base of foundation and has covered her face with shimmer powder. She has also kept her eyes light by smudging some brown liner around the outer corner of her peepers to give the doe-eyed effect. For a similar effect, try Maybelline’s brown brow and eye liner. A mauve blush tone has been used to cut the dominance of brown on her face and a peach pink lipstick completed the look. If you don’t have scars or spots on your face try L’Oreal’s Souffle Foundation which is a cross between oil and powder and is perfect for almost every skin type and doesn’t cost more than Rs2,000. Flavoured loose powder by Urban Decay makes you feel like a delectable treat and gives you that healthy glow.

Hair

Even though the sleek-chic mane is so early 1492, Neha chose a tame hairdo rather than going crazy with waves and curls like the ones Deepika Padukone and Kangana Ranaut are promoting. Getting straight hair is no rocket science. Just straighten your hair with a straightening iron. The end!

Accessories

Neha smartly added a tinge of orange and green to her dual-toned, super chunky square bangles. We give her brownie points for making three light colours (beige, grey and white) work so well together in such an interesting fashion. The beige belt with small diamond shaped studs brings the right amount of attention to her waist line. Look for fancy belts at Mango (around Rs1,500). No one does jewellery better than Accessorize, so look for something similar to these chunky bangles.

Outfit

Neha’s sleeveless Peter Pan white collar shirt is the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. And though the high-waisted tailored pants are making her thighs look thunderous, they are still right on trend and we love them for that. Kudos to Neha for making this school uniform combination look fit for the runway and for confidence which is obviously the best thing she is wearing. Look for button down shirts at Mango priced at Rs3,000. The price tag would obviously burn your pocket a little but a good white shirt is a must-have.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2012.