Make-up for working women

Shahnaz Husain

If you have a clear skin, leave out foundation. After cleansing, apply a sunscreen with a built-in moisturizer. Pressed powder or powder compact is useful. Pay more attention to the oily areas of the face. Press the powder all over the face and neck, with a slightly damp sponge. This helps it to set and last longer.
If you wish to apply foundation, use a water-based one. Add one or two drops of water for a lighter coverage. The foundation should be as close to your skin colour as possible. For eye make-up stick to eye pencils, or line your eyeswith brown or gray eye shadow for a softer effect. Then, apply mascara in two light coats. Apply one coat. Allow it to dry. Comb out the lashes with an eyelash comb or brush. Then apply the second coat and comb out.
For lipstick, avoid very dark colours. They look darker in fluorescent lights. Go for pinks, copper, bronze, burgundy or wine colour. Or, use light pastel colours like mauve or pink, or wear only lip gloss. Lastly, apply a light cologne or perfume….nothing too overpowering.
Make-up for the working woman must last right through the day. In an air-conditioned office, make-up stays fresh enough, but if you travel, you need to renew your make-up, specially in summer. Carry fragrant wet tissues, to refresh the skin and remove grease and sweat. A powder compact is really handy to get rid of that oily look. First wipe with the tissues and then dab powder. You need lipstick to touch-up after lunch. Carry a small bottle of cologne, or your favourite deodorant.
Although long hair is in fashion, avoid keeping it loose at work. One tends to keep fussing with the hair. Most distracting! If you have long hair, put it up in a roll, or pin it up, tie it back in a pony tail. Actually, pony tails are the trend, whether low or high, tied back with ribbons or clip. Many kinds of hair accessories are available, but they should not be too decorative for work. You can even curl the ends of the hair with curlers and then tie them in a pony tail, or pin then up with a clip.
Braids (plaits) may also look nice for work, although it may take time. Braids for work hairstyle can be done on long and medium length hair. Divide your hair into three parts and intertwine it like a rope. Towards the end of the braid, use elastic band or a ribbon to tie it up. Braids look neat on young working women.
As far as the new trends are concerned, the more natural look in hair is making its way in, with a look of ease. Keep the hair away from the face. If you have short hair, wear it softly and naturally layered. Even in hair colour, natural colours like browns are the trend. You can have subtle colours with natural highlights.
The bob is back in fashion and will be the trend for short hairstyles in the coming seasons. For short hair, you can also go for the slightly tousled look if you wish to be in. Not, harsh or obviously structured, but rather a careless and casual look.
If you have shoulder length hair and wish to leave it open, condition it after shampoo, so that it is soft, smooth and manageable.