Make-up trends: She’s got the look

LAHORE: Invitations to weddings crowd the dressing table at this time of the year, and every woman wants to look her best. Even though hair and skin lose their natural vitality in winter, the cold weather is a great time to flaunt make-up that would otherwise melt in Pakistan’s usual oppressive heat. We asked stylists around town for the key trends for the season.

Eyes

Redah Misbah of Depilex: For some reason in the winter all you see is metallic, blacks and dark colours. Instead, keep it light by using dull golds and shades of brown.

Asma Mumtaz of The Dresser: We recommend smoky eyes in navy blue or a dark colour with just a dot of glitter in the inner corner of the eye.

Nabiha Zeeshan of The Square: Too much mascara is not in fashion for the fall; however eye lash curlers can do the same job. A good curler  by Kevyn Aucoin is gentle on the lashes and has a soft extra refill that comes with the package. You can also apply the Kevyn Aucoin mascara after using the curler.

Novera Qizalbash of Novi & Aiza’s Bridal Salon: Softer colours for the eyes instead of the conventional dark smoky look. Use mascara for volume and apply eye colour on the lower lid for more definition.

Skin

Misbah: Do not forget to take off your make-up after any event, no matter how late it gets and it is essential to cleanse, tone and moisturise. A Vitamin C facial provides excellent nourishment for the skin during the dry winter.

Mumtaz: Cleansed and primed skin is essential. Mineral make-up gives the best coverage without going overboard and looking cakey. The studio fix liquid by MAC is great but if you are blessed with good skin, mineralised liquid can be used instead of a studio fix. Tint your cheeks with a bright colour.

Zeeshan: Make sure to decongest your skin at night by cleansing off all the dirt and scrubbing every third day. Scrubs should be bought with great review because they tend to be abrasive and anti-ageing scrubs are better than regular ones. Ice crystals scrub by Freeze 24.7 is collagen infused and will not strip off the elasticity from your skin. Many people think that sun block is just for summers but exposure to the sun in any weather can lead to wrinkles and premature aging. Protection is a must in order to avoid UVA/ UVB sun damage and collagen infused products help immensely.

Qizalbash: We recommend using a peachy colour blush for pale skin and a deeper fuchsia pink for darker skin. DMGM have some very nice blushes and a deeper apricot colour blush with a slight glitter looks great.

Lips

Mumtaz: Bold bright lips are the way to go. Make sure you use a long lasting, matte finish good quality lipstick and do not line your lips with a darker colour. We recommend shocking pink with a bit of white, bright orange and good old red and maroon lip colours. Use MAC lipsticks in Full Fuschia, Hang up (deep berry) and So Chaud (bright orange).

Zeeshan: Classy nudes are the safest way to go as far as lips are concerned, although plumy colours complement all complexions, and can be worn with ease in the winters.

Qizalbash: Purple and magenta are very in this season if you are bold enough to carry them off.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2010.