This article was first published in the Express Tribune, Pakistan on 4/16/10. It was written by Lipstick Masala for the column Beauty and the Brush.
The advent of spring coincides with the start of the wedding season, and mehndi invitations begin to arrive by the dozen. Panic sets in as one frantically runs to and fro from tailors and/or designers in a desperate attempt to have them sew knockoffs of designs from collections shown at fashion weeks. There is an equal frenzy in browbeating mothers into providing matching jewelery.
But when it comes to the “defining moment” that is applying makeup, most women devote relatively miniscule time and reach for the cliched black kajal and pink lipstick.
Why not break with worn out traditions and dare to embrace the bold accents and styles presented on runways this spring? Today’s beauty trends reflect the vibrant hues of nature – jewel-toned eyes mimicking oleander trees and azure skies, fruity lips evoking images of peach-lined fruit stands. Remember those bright purple and yellow eyeliners you pondered at the local Agha’s or Al-Fatah but elected in favor of your go-to black? Return to the store and grab the colorful liners. And while you’re in revolutionary mode, seriously think about tossing out your flatiron.
Those addicted to the smoky eye look, pass over standard grays and blacks. Instead, play with peacock colors and the remarkable hues of dyed gladiolas lining entrances of mehndi events. Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week revealed models experimenting with striking eye shadows. So, be creative – it’s spring after all! Sweep turquoise pigment on your eyelid but line your under-eye with purple for contrast. Mehndis are an occasion when you can be adventurous with vivid colours!
A word for those that shy away from too much makeup; opt for those colored liners we mentioned above. A sapphire blue pencil is the perfect replacement for black. But here’s the twist, don’t circle your eyes in a passe Kareena Kapoor look. Apply color only to your lower lash line, leaving your lids bare. Your eyes will appear bigger and the simple pop of colour will keep you looking trendy.
As most fashionistas already know, pairing bright eyes with dark lips is a great beauty gaffe. You don’t want to be mistaken for a 
1980s Lollywood actress!! Leave the dark lipstick and even the standard nude ones in your make-up kit. This season, cosmetics companies are embracing the color peach. A sprightlier version of pink, peach complements almost any skin tone. Add some shimmer or wear your peach glossy, but avoid mattes. You want to look fresh, not aged.
Mehndis invariably involve dancing, and you’ll be struggling to contain your locks while you step to the latest Imran Khan single. Here’s some welcome news – the classic up do has been updated. Gone are the stick straight ponytails and distinct puff resting atop your head. It’s time to stop straightening your strands into oblivion and start working with your hair’s natural texture.
Ask your salon to style your tresses into a messy bun at the nape of your neck with a few loose side-swept tendrils to soften the look. If your hair isn’t naturally wavy, make sure to use a volumizing mousse so your ‘do doesn’t fall flat. If buns don’t appeal to you, sport a celebrity favorite – pull your hair to one side and loosely twist into a fishtail braid, or khajuri choti.
Before stepping out of the house, polish your look with a sweep of peachy-pink blush on your cheeks to enhance the glowing spring look. On a parting note – remember to take along your lipstick for touch-ups. Warm weather and the delectable mehndi cuisine will wear your lip color off faster than you can say “balle”.
.
.
.
Photo Credits:
http://indiaroom.com/IndiaFestivals.html
http://myheartistry.blogspot.com/2009/11/lamb-2010-spring-fashion.html
http://www.squidoo.com/2010MakeUp
http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Makeup-Skin-Care/Spring-Makeup-Trend-Turquoise-Eyeliner
http://miahotspot.blogspot.com/2009/07/sexy-summer-hair-made-easier.html
[...] Lipstick Masala »Blog Archive» The Color of mehndi: Spring looks … trends today reflect the beauty of vibrant colors of nature – the eyes of LNG tones that mimic oleanders and blue skies, evoking images for fruit lips fruity Peach-aligned. Note that the profiles of eyes yellow and purple … A word for those who shy away from too much makeup, choose colors for the shirts mentioned above. A sapphire blue pencil is the perfect replacement for black. This is the Twist, do not pass Kareena Kapoor Super eye circle the bay. … [...]
A friend of mine posted this on her facebook wall last week and I read it there. Great article and congratulations on your new column
I hope this doesn’t mean you’re deserting us at Lipstick Masala!
[Reply]
Lipstick Masala Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 3:12 am
Thank you so much, Priya! Don’t worry, I won’t be giving up on Lipstick Masala. Many more articles yet to come!
[Reply]
i bought a peach coloured lipstick but it looked nasty on me,,,it was very stark on my face. you mentioned not to use a matter one. maybe that’s where i went wrong?
[Reply]
Lipstick Masala Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 3:15 am
Hi there Hina,
Definitely go for something glossy, the matte ones can look almost orange-y if they’re not the right shade. Glossy versions of peach give you a lot more room to play with color. Go for something with a little gold shimmer to offset the coral tone, it’ll help blend in with your skin tone better!
[Reply]
nice article. can you recommend a turqoise liner like the one in the picture?
[Reply]
Lipstick Masala Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 3:20 am
Hi BK,
Check out Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners in Electric and Flipside. Mac also makes a great liquidlast liner in Aqualine – it doesn’t budge!
[Reply]
congratulations!
[Reply]
Lipstick Masala Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 3:20 am
thanks so much, zeba
[Reply]
picked up the newspaper last week. your column looks really good
[Reply]
Lipstick Masala Reply:
April 23rd, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Thanks so much, Sahar! I look forward to hearing more from you!
[Reply]
[...] makeup to go with yellow clothes is very hard. I found a very different article on makeup at http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2010/04/20/the-color-of-mehndi-spring-looks-for-your-next-event/#more-... which tells us to gather our courage and apply yellow eye liner. Yes! as outrageous as it sounds it [...]
Hi, i just randomly arrived at your blog and absolutely loved your idea about different eye liners instead of kajol. I wrote about it in my blog. Do check it out.
[Reply]
[...] makeup to go with yellow clothes is very hard. I found a very different article on makeup at http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2010/04/20/the-color-of-mehndi-spring-looks-for-your-next-event/#more-... which tells us to gather our courage and apply yellow eye liner. Yes! as outrageous as it sounds it [...]
[...] makeup to go with yellow clothes is very hard. I found a very different article on makeup at http://www.lipstickmasala.com/2010/04/20/the-color-of-mehndi-spring-looks-for-your-next-event/#more-... which tells us to gather our courage and apply yellow eye liner. Yes! as outrageous as it sounds it [...]
First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your site! I was so happy to stumble upon it… finally a informative makeup website by a talented desi! Thank you for doing this; lipstickmasala.com is definitely staying in my bookmarks.
I’ve heard that NARS is great for us high- pigmented desis. I was looking for a new loose powder, having always used Pale Yellow by Bobbi Brown (and yeah, it did make me look quite yellow!) What do you think of the NARS loose powder?
So I was looking for a dusty pink, very natural looking blush. I know you’ve recommended Blushbaby by MAC, but I’ve heard it has a distinct brown tint to it while I was looking for a rose color with just a teeny hint of beige. I use NC30 concealer if that helps… is there another MAC blush you would recommend?
sorry to pile on the questions, needed to ask just one more!
I was looking at the color Eden but it does look like it has a strong yellow tone to it too, and on the other hand, Flesh looks like it’s meant for light skin tones. Kind of confused now :-s would love to hear your opinion if you’ve tried NARS products!
Thanks in advance!
[Reply]
Meena Reply:
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Oops! forgot to mention I was looking for a sheer, almost translucent sort of loose powder!
[Reply]