Q&A With Bridal Makeup Artist, Vejetha Anand

Meet Vejetha Anand, a professional bridal makeup artist with a decade’s worth of experience in bridal, photoshoot and runway scene. She is a Bangalore based salon owner and a beautician who has been weaving magic through her makeup brushes. One look at her bridal makeovers and you know what we are saying. As she continues to transform her brides into their best ever avatar, we asked her to impart her knowledge on bridal beauty! Read on to know more.

Bridal makeovers by Vejetha Anand.

1. How important is it for brides to have a skin care regimen?

Skin care routine is an important aspect, not just for brides, but also for women in general. Our evening skin care routine is critical because that’s when our cells repair and rebuild. We need to make sure we give our skin what it needs to look its best! Here are few essentials that’s a must in the pre wedding beauty care routine for all brides-to-be:
Cleansing
Toning
Serum
Moisturising
Eye and makeup remover
Eye cream
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Body lotion

2. When should a bride start taking extra care of her skin?
The days prior to wedding are the most exhausting and stressful period. The no-flaw-look cannot be obtained magically. The brides need to stay calm, take enough rest and include these beauty rituals as early as possible in their daily routine.

EXERCISE: Physical activity helps in improving blood circulation, which benefits the skin and hair. The brides need to include some physical activity like yoga or running in their schedule.

HYDRATE: Drinking a few liters of water or fresh fruit juices (without sugar) everyday will cleanse and detox the system. This eventually helps the brides to attain that natural glow.

EAT HEALTHY: The brides need to include fruits and salads in their diet. If required, they should take multivitamins and iron supplements.

SUN SCREEN: It is crutial to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. The skin damaged by sun looks aged and will have spots.

STAY HAPPY: Your happiness shows on your skin! So, don’t forget to stay happy and smile a lot.

Your wedding is a ‘once in a lifetime’ special occasion. It’s time to look your gorgeous best.

3. Are there any specific facials that you suggest for brides who have dry, oily or combination skin?
No amount of make up can match a healthy glowing skin. Take special care of your skin to get that flawless look. To those who are troubled with acne, oily or dry skin, visiting a dermatologist six months before the wedding would help. Remember, medicines or treatments take time to show results.

Regular visits to a parlour or spa to get rid of dead cells, blackheads and tan are a must to get a perfect groomed look.

There are specific and non-metallic facials for each skin type that we recommend at Swank after personal consultation. Do call us to get a personalized skin care regimen.

4. How can a bride fight against acne, pimples and blemishes?
The first three important steps: CTM (Cleansing, toning and moisturizing)
– Then follow a diet rich in antioxidants
– Keep calm and stress free
– Consume lots of liquids
– Keep your skin squeaky-clean
– After consulting a good dermatologist, start using a mild dermabrasive night cream to get rid of blemishes.

5. Do you recommend any special regimen for hands, legs and nails?
While the face and hair get a lot of attention, many brides ignore their hands and feet. Last minute manicure and pedicure can only offer temporary benefits. But to attain that well groomed look, one needs to start grooming themselves beforehand with manicures, pedicures and indulging in some spa treatments such as massages, body exfoliation and extra nourishment for dry cuticles and brittle nails.

Here comes the rain!

Let’s face it – it is romantic only when it drizzles and not when it pours. Apart from causing insane traffic jams and keeping you holed up at home, rains also wrecks havoc on your skin. From causing bacterial infection in your toes to dissolving your makeup, rains have a way of removing the romance in the air. Here’s our comprehensive guide to braving the rains with the right makeup and skin care.

Wearable makeup when it rains

• Say no to heavy foundation and moisturizers and yes to a tinted moisturizer. It is lightweight and will give you a seamless coverage along with keeping your skin moisturized.
• Waterproof everything! From eyeliner to kajal to mascara to blushes, if you can find something in the waterproof range, then apply it.
• For your lips try using just the lip pencil. Because it is waxy, it stays put during rains along with giving your lips some colour.

Skin care when it pours

• Wash your face at least twice daily. Use a soap-free cleanser and scrub to weed out the pollutants stuck to your skin and to remove dead skin cells.
• Use lukewarm water to wash your face, hands and legs.
• Drink as much water as you can. It flushes out toxins and keeps your skin healthy.
• Use an overnight moisturizing mask to keep your skin hydrated and look beautiful all the time.
• Also, get your facials done on time to rejuvenate your skin cells and to keep it supple.

Foot care

• Do not walk barefoot in the rains. It might lead to bacterial infections. Germs, dirt, fungus and bacteria from outside accumulate on your feet and can lead to infections. Another simple way to keep the feet clean is to dip the feet in water to which Dettol or any other antiseptic is added.
• As you reach home, wash your feet in warm water and scrub your feet. Post this, apply a foot moisturizer.
• Keep your nails short this season. There is a chance of fungal infections attacking the skin underneath your nails due to all the dust and dirt.

Protect your mane

• Use mild shampoos and conditioners for your hair during the rains.
• Apply warm oil to your hair and leave it on overnight to infuse your mane with moisture.
• Limit the usage of hairdryer as it strips your hair of essential oils. Instead, opt for a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
• Don’t comb or tie your hair when it is wet.

  Photo credit: Google Images

#SaveMyHair Contest

If you think that your hair is damaged beyond repair, then enter our contest and win a dream makeover for your hair!

All you have to do is tell us on our facebook wall why your hair is damaged with the hashtag #SaveMyHair and upload a pic of your hair.

Also, don’t forget to give the terms and conditions a read! http://bit.ly/SaveMyHair 

Common beauty mistakes, which cost you your skin

On a day-to-day basis we do so much harm to our facial skin that it will take months to repair it. However, by avoiding some of these common beauty mistakes, you will lead your skin on a road to recovery.

Frequent washing: Too much of anything is good for nothing and this holds good for your face too. Frequently washing your face will strip it off its natural oils and will age your skin. Limit it to twice a day and an extra wash pre or post workout.

Exfoliation: It is the key part of taking care of your skin. It helps in removing dead cells on your face and opens up the pores. However, ignoring or overdoing this step results in irritating your skin and messing up its Ph balance. Exfoliate at least once a week at night for best results.

Harsh cleanser: Swap your soap with a non-soap cleanser or face wash. The soap strips your skin of natural oils while the non-soap cleanser will be gentle on your skin. If you have oily, acne-prone skin then use a face wash with salicylic acid.

Sleeping with your makeup on: Beauty rule 101 – ALWAYS remove makeup before you sleep. Makeup clogs your pores and prevents sebum, the lubricant in our skin that moisturizes skin and removes dead skin cells, from doing its job. Leaving eye makeup on causes infection and irritation.

Hot water: Always use either lukewarm or cold water to wash your face, as they are more gentler. Hot water excessively dries out your skin and strips it off its natural oil.

Overusing facial wipes: Facial wipes are convenient for removing makeup or for a quick cleanse after gym. But don’t swap your cleanser with facial wipes, as they cannot thoroughly clean your pores.

DIY facials to swear by in summer

A hot sweltering day = skin woes. It is that time of the year when the sun does maximum damage to your skin. From acnes to early aging, the sun does enough to fast track your skin into doomsville. Don’t fret, as help is on its way with these easy DIY masks. These facials not only nourish and rejuvenate your skin, but will also save you a trip to the dermatologist.

1. Mint pack

You need:
– Fresh mint
– A pinch of turmeric powder
– Lukewarm water

Method:
– Take some fresh mint and make a fine paste of it. Now add a pinch of turmeric powder and mix well.
– Wash your face with lukewarm water and apply this fine paste all over the face.
– Leave for 15 minutes and wash with cold water.

2. Avocado and honey mask for dry skin

 

You need:
– ½ ripe avocado
– 2 tbsp honey
– ½ tbsp coconut oil

Method:
– Mash or puree the avocado until it’s smooth and creamy, and then blend in the rest of the ingredients.
– Apply to your face, avoiding your eyes. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water.

3. Soothing oatmeal mask for problem skin
Oatmeal is great for soothing rough, angry skin and for helping to heal eczema and acne breakouts. Paired with honey and yogurt, it’s a calming and revitalizing mask for all skin types.

 

You need:
– 1/3 cup instant oatmeal
– 1/2 cup hot water
– 1 tbsp honey
– 1-2 tablespoons plain, unsweetened yogurt

Method:
– Add the water to your oatmeal and stir for a few minutes until it’s plumped up nicely. Add the honey and yogurt, and put through a mixer grinder to smooth and combine it.
– Slather the mask all over your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash with warm water.

4. Strawberry and lemon mask for oily/acne prone skin
Strawberries contain salicylic acid (which is an anti-acne agent), while lemon juice helps to tighten pores and remove old, dead skin cells. Yogurt and honey have antibiotic properties.

You need:
– 1/4 cup mashed strawberries
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 tablespoon yogurt
– 1 tablespoon honey

Method:
– Mash all of the ingredients together, but do not puree in a blender. You want this to be spreadable, not a liquid.
– Apply evenly all over your face and let it sit for 8-10 minutes. Then rinse with cool water.

5. Soothing masks for men
This is a great mask for guys, as it can soothe both razor burn and over-weathered winter skin. The yogurt acts as a moisturizer, while the cucumber lessens redness and provides moisture to dry, sensitive skin.

 

You need:
– 1/2 a cucumber, peeled and chopped
– 1 tablespoon yogurt

Method:
– Put the cucumber through a mixer grinder until it’s pulpy, and then mix the yogurt in by hand.
– Apply it evenly over the face, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
– Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry.

6. Tomato face pack to soothe sunburn
This homemade pack is best for oily skin. This pack also helps to remove tan and polish the surface of the skin to give it a healthy shine.

 

You need:
– 1 Tomato
– ¼ tsp of honey

Method:
– Mash the tomato and mix honey into it.
– Apply this mixture on your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse it with cold water.

7. Milk and honey bleach
This works well for oily skin and helps to get rid of sun tan.

 

You need:
– 4 tbsp milk
– 1 tbsp honey
– 2 tbsp lemon juice

Method:
– Mix all the above ingredients together.
– Apply the mixture evenly on the tanned areas for 15 minutes.
– Wash with cold water when dried.

Protect your skin and hair, this Holi

It’s the season of colours, bhang and masti. But it also reminds us of the havoc it wrecks on our skin and hair. Don’t worry as we have got you covered! With our skin and hair care tips; you will surely have a happy Holi.

Pre-Holi skin and hair care:

a) Toner to the rescue
Start off by using a toner to close your skin pores as it helps in reducing the damage on your skin.

b) Sun proof your skin
Make sure that you apply sunscreen generously before you go out to play Holi. As you will stay outdoors for longer, the sunscreen will protect your skin from damage.

c) Oil is your best friend!
Before you go out ensure that you have lathered either coconut or olive oil on your hair, face, hands and legs. The oils will protect your hair and skin from damage by harmful chemicals, while it also makes it easier to remove the colours.

d) Nail it!
Protect your finger and toe nails from the harsh colours by applying a nail polish (preferably transparent nail polish).

e) Save your pout
Protect your lips by using a good lip gloss/lip balm.

f) Forgo your makeup
DO NOT apply makeup when you go out to play Holi. Chances of allergic reactions are high due to the combination of chemicals in cosmetics and the Holi colours.

g) Holi attire
Wear full sleeved-cotton clothes. Avoid denims. You may feel heavy once drenched in the coloured water. Cotton shorts or pants are perfect wear.

Post-Holi skin and hair care:

a) Stay away from the sun!
After playing Holi, stay away from direct sunlight as your skin and hair is covered in chemicals. If you stay in the sun, then the colours get dry and it becomes increasingly difficult to wash them off.

b) Rinse repeatedly
Before applying your shampoo/body wash, rinse off the colours from your body repeatedly. Do no use a body scrub; instead use a loofah and a mild body wash for your skin. Always follow up with a conditioner for your hair.

c) Oil to the rescue, again
If the colours are being stubborn to remove, then apply generous amounts of oil on that area. This will help wash off the colours easily.

d) Moisturise it
Remember to apply a moisturiser all over your body to replenish the lost moisture from it. The moisturiser also helps in lightening colours that are still stuck on your skin.

e) Bring back the ph-balance
To bring back the ph-balance of your skin, go for a rejuvenating face mask. This helps in restoring the moisture and will replenish your skin.

Eyes, eyes, baby!

Here’s your guide to applying the perfect eye makeup for your eye shape. Learn to highlight, shade and line your eyes the pro way.

Round eyes
Start by applying eyeliner from the inner corners of your eyes all the way to the outside ending in a straight line or small cat eye. Then highlight below the brow bone and the inner corners of your eye with a light eye shadow. To show contrast between the highlighted parts of the eye, take a medium eye shadow color and lightly apply it above your lid. Finally, thickly apply a darker color shadow along the crease of your eye, without going too overboard. Blend the shadow from the outside going towards the middle of the eye in order to give more shape to your lid. Voila! Behold the perfectly shadowed, doe-eye look.

 

Almond shaped eyes
Almond eyes are the most symmetrical—just the effect you’re trying to create with your makeup. If you have almond eyes, you should use the round eye application technique, just mimic the shape of your own eye.

 

Downturned eyes
This kind of eyes needs a little lift, hence your eyeliner plays an important role. Apply eye shadow just like the round eye application technique, but the eyeliner has to be thicker. The eyeliner trick is to give it a curve up at the end like a smiley face or a cat eye if you want something a bit more dramatic. 

 

Deep set eyes
Use the same application techniques as you would for a round eye, but swap the dark shadow for a lighter one. You want to accentuate the highlighted parts of the eye to give the illusion of roundness, but not overpower it with dark shadow.

 

Close set eyes
To make close-set eyes appear wider apart, start by highlighting below your brow bone and inner lid the same as you would for round eyes—what’s different here is the base shadow. Use a medium color and shade a little farther out than the width of the eye in a wide round shape. Then, take the darker color and shade from the outside on top of the crease to give it more contrast. Start your eyeliner at the middle of the lid and extend it out further than your eye in a straight line.

 

Hooded eyes
Hooded eyes have an extra layer of skin below the brow that covers the crease and makes the lid seem smaller. They don’t need much highlighting, so start with your light shadow only on the inner corners of your eyes. Then apply a good amount of the medium color to the hooded lid. Go heavy with the dark shade around the crease to give the illusion of a rounder eye and extend your eyeliner further out in order to balance the look. The effect: an envy-inducing gaze.

 

Monolid eyes
A monolid eye goes straight from the brow to the eye with no crease. Similar to a hooded eye, you want to apply shadow to make the eye appear bigger and more open. First, exaggerate the highlighting in the inner corners of your eye, going up and out to the center of the eye. Then take your medium color and go above the crease from the outside of the eye creating a round shape. The dark shade should be used in the same motion very lightly to define the shape, but don’t go further in than the center of the eye. When applying liner, keep a steady hand and do a very thin line that gets a bit thicker on the outside.

 

Photo credits: Pinterest and Google. The images are used only for representational purposes only.

Secrets to an amazing skin

Let’s kick start the new year with amazing skin. Give your creams, facials and cleansers a break and go the au natural way to achieve a flawless skin tone.

Coconut Kefir
We agree that tender coconut is amazing but you have to meet its even amazing counterpart; coconut kefir. Coconut Kefir is nothing but fermented coconut water. But the kefir contains 15 billion CFU of probiotics, which is three times more than yoghurt! The kefir helps clearing your skin by removing the pathogenic microbes, which cause acne and hormonal imbalances. Also, the kefir is naturally sweet so this also helps in curbing sugar cravings.

Black sesame seeds
Wondering how our ancestors had amazing skin? Well they have black sesame seeds to thank for. These amazing seeds are packed with skin beautifying agents such as essential fats, oleic acid, amino acids, potassium, and fiber that it helps in restoring the skin’s radiance and elasticity. So, it is about time we started including these seeds in our everyday meal.

Beetroot
Where do we begin on this amazing root? They reverse dull skin by stimulating the lymphatic system and removing waste from our cells. They increase the oxygen-carrying ability in the blood by 400 percent, bringing brightness and vitality to the skin. They also help reduce the appearance of cellulite by strengthening the dermal skin layer. Let’s start gorging on this amazing root.

Lemons
Starting your day with hot water and lemon to detoxify your skin is no beauty secret. The beauty of lemon is that it removes fat-soluble toxins and old hormones, which may trigger breakouts and worsen oily skin. It also emulsifies fats, which helps keep skin hydrated. Not to be left out, the lemon rind contains the flavonoid limonoid, which kills bacteria in the mouth and intestines, preventing bacterial-driven acne flare-ups.

Tomatoes
Did you know that this red shiny fruit helps in preventing UVA and UVB damage? Along with providing the body with natural SPF, this fruit also helps in reviving dull skin and removing tan!

Winter skin care tips

The season of skin woes are soon approaching and this time don’t let the winter from robbing your fab skin. Here are a few winter skin care tips which will help you get rid of flaky, dry and chapped skin.

Ditch the soap!
Soaps have only one mode to them –extra clean, which results in dryness as it robs the essential oils from the skin. Just swap your soap with cleansers/creamy face washes. The cleansers do not wreak havoc on your skin like soap does. They gently remove dirt and excessive oils. And if you are big on exfoliation, then use a mild exfoliator during winters. Your face will thank you for this.

Say no to hot water
We know that in winter it is difficult to push yourself to take bath and when you do you love the extra hot mode. But this only creates problems to your skin. It is a fact that hot water doesn’t give moisture to your body. It takes away the protecting lipids and fat layers; as a result your skin feels dry and dehydrated. So wash with lukewarm water early in the morning. It will awaken your skin and keeps it fresh.

Moisturiser is the key
Right after bath, quench your facial skin’s thirst with the moisturiser that’s right for your skin. Don’t use water based moisturiser as it might dry up quickly when you go out. Instead use oil based moisturisers.

Get smoother hands & legs
Once you step out of the shower, make sure you pat-dry your skin and apply a rich moisturiser or body butter within the first three minutes. This helps to really lock in the moisture. Some parts of your body may require extra maintenance – specifically, your knees, feet and elbows. Apply petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, or coconut oil to these places. This will help give you that extra hydration.

Additionally, your feet will benefit from foot cream, which will hydrate your feet while you sleep. If the skin is really dry and rough, look for a lotion with salicylic acid, which helps to exfoliate dead skin cells.

Don’t forget the sunscreen
Just because it is winter, it does not mean that you can stowaway your sunscreens. Sun will still shine bright and the UV rays still have the power to damage your skin! So, wear a sunscreen with SPF 15 or more after you moisturise your skin.

Lip balms to the rescue
Chapped lips are a pain and you should resist the urge to lick your lips as this only worsens the case. Instead, use a lip exfoliator or soft toothbrush to remove the dry skin and then apply lip balm generously. Ideally, use a lip balm that as SPF 15+ component and tea tree oil, which can heal painful cracks and chapping. Don’t forget to use lip balm generously throughout the day.

‘Hand’le with care
Your hands are more exposed to cold air and water than any other part of your body. This causes them to be dry, chapped and red. Take care not to over wash your hands. Use lukewarm water when you have to and apply a hand lotion immediately afterwards.

Also check out this cool infographic which we found on Pinterest

Bridal Makeup Decoded

The base: We started off with a moisturizer which suited the bride’s skin tone and then used a tinted primer to set the base. Later, concealer was applied to hide the flaws, foundation (which was an almost perfect match to the bride’s skin tone) and compact. This gave the bride a flawless and a seamless look.

Eyes: A base colour was applied and then cranberry coloured eyeshadow was applied all over the eye lids. Nylon coloured eyeshadow was used to highlight the brow bones. The eye makeup was completed with gel kajal, eyeliner and mascara.

The look was completed with a cranberry coloured blush and lipstick.