Shahnaz Husain
Make-up is all about choosing the right shades of colour cosmetics. Learning to select them according to skin colour and tone is as essential as mastering the techniques of application. In fact, it can make all the difference. The best effect is achieved with a little experimentation, by mixing colours till you find the shade which is just right for you.
The natural skin tone is most important while selecting foundations. Ideally, it should enhance your natural colour, or even tone it down. Try to buy one that is closest to your skin colour as possible. Face powder may be translucent, or of the same shade as the foundation. If you wish to tone down a tan, select a powder that is one shade lighter, but in the same colour tone.
Fair Skin:
While choosing Foundation for a very fair ivory skin, go for beige with a rosy tint. For fair skins, use beige, pink or orange undertones. If the complexion is fair, but sallow (yellowish), avoid pink tones and go for beige or biscuit shades. For a fair, but reddish complexion a softer beige will be better. For eye colours, if the skin is fair, a brown eyebrow pencil may be more suitable than black. For a muted effect, apply dark brown or dark grey eyeshadow over black eyeliner. It will tone down the stark black look. For fair skin, try pinks and reds for blushers and avoid dark colours in lipstick.
Dusky / Olive
Dusky, or olive complexions look better with brownish beige shades for Foundation. It should be a colour that will add some glow to the skin. For blushers, avoid mauves and light pink. Go will darker pink, or even some brown shades. A highlighting powder will help to add glow. Try it on your cheeks, along your nose and forehead. Say “no” to bronzers. For eye make-up, go for darker brown shadow, or try bronze or silver. For dusky complexions, dark eyes look captivating. So, go for black eyeliner and mascara. The smoky eyed make-up would suit. Go for gloss for the lips and nude shades in lipstick would be good to bring out the glow in the complexion.
Dark Skin:
If you have a dark skin, you should choose liquid foundations, instead of a creamy one. Dark skins can tend to look oily because of the way light reflects on the skin. That is why it is better to choose a water-based foundation. The foundation should not be lighter than your skin tone. Try to get one which is as close to your normal skin colour as possible. Try out foundation colours in natural brown tones. When you apply foundation and powder, your aim should be for a lighter coverage. Special attention should be paid to blending. Avoid white and light coloured shadows. Soft brown combined with darker brown would be good. Use a kaajal pencil to outline the eyes. This can have a stunning effect on dark skins. For blusher, try a dark rose pink colour for the day and shades of bronze, plum, wine, for the night. For special occasions at night, use a touch of gold. It can really look glamorous on dark skins. Apply it at the temples and under the outer corner of the eyebrows. Where lips are concerned, a dark complexion looks good in vibrant colours. Avoid very pale colours. Go for warmer tones, like coral, bronze, red, wine. Try mixing two colours to get the shades that suit your skin. Bright red lipstick can be toned down with tinted lip gloss. Avoid very dark colours like maroon or dark brown.
Wheatish Complexion:
For wheatish complexions or normal Indian complexions, go for water based foundations. Choose a colour as close to skin colour as possible. Avoid choosing lighter colour foundation. It will not provide a smooth finish, but give a mask-like effect. You can use bronze or browns eye shadow. Add a touch of gold. For blusher, try bronze. For the lips, go for warm earthy colours, like coral, wine, plum, strawberry, red and shades of red. A dark pink or rose-red would look good too. Even brick-red may suit. Avoid bright orange or very pale pink. Dark lip liners are a no-no. The lip liner colour and lipstick should be the same. You can choose from colours which are warm and earthy, like browns, copper, deep coral, wine red. A brick-red colour would also suit. Try dark reds during the night, but avoid very dark red or dark maroon.
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