Basic Beauty Bets

Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.

Gwyneth Paltrow was definitely the most conscious of her gender-mates when she said that. In this age where makeup is not just a means to beautify anymore but a whole art in itself, women need to learn, now more than ever, to couple comfort with beauty (read: expenses). No matter how excruciatingly tempting, runway is not reality and luxury is not necessary. We need to take our pockets hand in hand with our need and a little bit of wishing upon the (eye)shadows.

For me, makeup is all about enhancing one’s features, if you aren’t a full-time full-face geek of-course in which case limit is the last thing on list. Coming forth are my two cents (or maybe more?) of makeup essentials.

1- Cleansing

 Atleast an hour before you layer your skin, clean it thoroughly with any cleanser that suits your skin. Wash it off with lukewarm water and pat-dry.

2- Moisturizer

This is the only foundation of a good, stay-on makeup before you dab on your perceived foundation! All the insta kings and queens take good thirty minutes on average to crazy moisturize their skins before going full.

Get your hands on your feasibly favorite moisturizer and apply it atleast ten minutes before you pick up your brush. Massage gently until it absorbs and let your skin rest for ten good minutes.

3- BB Cream

A BB or CC cream gives a neat and fresh coverage to your skin. It doesn’t really make it blemish-free or hide all the acne, and I think this is what makes it perfect. It does not hide your flaws, only makes you look pretty with them, basically making you super comfy with all your imperfections which may otherwise bother a woman to death! A range of not-too-pricey-yet-awesome BB creams are available in the market, grab one that goes best with your skin tone or a tone lighter to get that pretty-with-flaws confident shine!

4- Foundation

The rules for a good foundation are more or less the same as a BB/CC cream. There are a number of comfortably affordable good-quality foundations out there, just keep it a tone lighter from your original complexion and voila! Personally, I don’t prefer using it on a daily basis. For me, a good party or a formal get together is the ultimate Call of Foundation. I think liquid-based foundations work best. Also, use a neat sponge or a soft brush for smooth and equal application. Do NOT apply more than one layers.

5- Face/Translucent powder

If you are using a foundation then lightly apply a bit of powder on your face to give it a compact more smooth finish. If you have only used BB cream then it depends on your personal level of ease, you can go with or without.

6- Concealer

Honestly, I am not a fan of using concealers, as I do not believe in a perfect,packed, barbie doll look. BUT it can be a sure yes for people who need a little more to up their confidence or the just like the feel of it.

7- Mascara

NOTHING brightens and opens up the eyes like a correctly applied mascara! For me this is an absolute MUST when it comes to my daily beauty routine. The secret of a good mascara is not in the brand but the manner of application instead. Every good brand offers wonderfully attractive range of mascaras now-a-days and they work quite well if applied meticulously. Go to the maestro Wayne Goss ( Goss Makeup Artist) on Youtube to master THE best ways of mascara application! (TRUST ME, you will thank me later!)

8- Blush

A beautifully applied blush-on can breathe life in your face like none other. Get cute shades of pink to slay a “no-makeup” makeup look!

9- Lipstick/Lip gloss

This is one thing I don’t need to say a word upon as I am sure you pretty much know everything already! ALWAYS keep your favorite nudes and pinks in your handbag! And like Paltrow said, THAT or a kick-ass red lip-pie to slay your day!

A lot of you would surely think why I did not add an eyeliner or eye-shadow  to the list, for me, these are never the part of “basic” makeup. But then, basic is quite a relative term when we narrow it down to individual preferences.

Art is to enable us and an artist only loses him/herself into it to which there is no end. So pick up your brushes, paint yourself the way you like and define your very own custom-made “Basics”!