Everyday Essentials

According to make-up artist and expert Cory Walia, when it comes to make-up, compact powder, lip pencil and mascara are absolute essentials.

The Indian climate is humid, resulting in oily skin. The compact keeps the oil look away and makes your skin look fresh.

Choosing your compact - Always pick a compact that is closest to your natural skin tone.

The lip pencil prevents lipstick from bleeding and fading. It also defines the lips.

Colour your lips right - The pencil should be closest to the lipstick. Ideally, it should be a shade or two darker than your lipstick.

The mascara defines your lashes and makes them look longer. Use water proof mascara to prevent running or smudging.

Striking Skin

Dressing your skin is as important as dressing your body. Know your skin tone and follow these simple tips.

Unblemished normal to dry skin: Use a light, water based moisturiser and a compact closest to your skin tone.

Clear oily skin - Begin with an oil control toner and follow it up with an application of a non-oily water based moisturiser.

Blemished skin with dark circles, acne and scars needs a concealer, followed by liquid foundation and compact powder closest to your skin.

Your Shades

The success of make-up lies in choosing lip and blush shades that suit your skin tone. Most choose colours based on preference rather than skin. The difference between a beautifully made up face and a bad one is wrong choice of colour. Depending on your skin tone, here's a closer look at the shades you should use.

Dusky complexion - Stay away from bright shades such as pink, light blue and light green because these contrast against your skin and make it look loud. Stick to caramel, coffee, cobalt blue and olive green. The shades are muted and go perfectly with your skin tone.

Mid-tone complexion - Almost any colour suits this skin tone. Your best bets are leaf greens and brighter blues.

Fair complexion - Stay away from bright colours. Pastel shades such as peach, baby pink and fuchsia are sure winners.

Applying Blush

• Apply from the bottom of your cheek going upwards to the cheekbones.
  
• Use a thick brush and stroke upwards and outwards.

Luscious Lips

Not everyone has Angelina Jolie's lips but do them up well and make yours look just as good! Here's how.

• If you have thick lips, then line them on the inner border and fill with lipstick. This helps tone down your lips.
• For those plagued with thin lips, line them on the outer border and fill with lipstick. This gives your lips a fuller look.

Know your skin, know your colours and follow these simple make-tips to a more beautiful you.

(With inputs from Cory Walia, Make-Up Expert)