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Face up to the natural look

If the `barely there' look is meant for you, then go for it

BEAUTY IS WHAT BEAUTY DOES Naturally beautiful

Ever wondered how Preeti Zinta in KHNH or Rani Mukherjee in Chalte Chalte managed to look so gorgeous even without make up? Well,this New Year the `barely there' look is back . Smoky eyes, shimmering sheen on the lips, and a dash of colour to your cheeks, you could be a sight for sore eyes. Says Maggie, a make-up specialist, "This season, the loud, garish make-up is not haute anymore. It is all about subtlety and what's pleasing to the eye." The natural look is to take over 2006 by storm. But if you think that this glamorous look is easy to attain, well, think again. In this, make up is minimal but hard to get with a single line of products. Ironically to attain this look you have to be armed with an array of makeover gadgets, mixing it around and putting your artistic skills to the fore.

Face

The toner-cleanser-moisturising routine is an important prologue to the natural look. As much as possible avoid the foundation, often the nemesis of most women in the art of make-up. They come in a myriad of hues and undertones, so picking up the right foundation can be tricky. Choose the wrong foundation and it's a sure fire way of looking like a pan-cake laden theatre artist. Most often we end up choosing shades a tad too lighter than our real skin tone and that has disastrous results. But those of you who simply cannot conceive going out without the big F, here's the trick. Choose one that absolutely blends with your skin and seems to disappear as soon as you apply it on your face. Go for the liquid foundation than the powdered matte one and spread it on the face with a damp sponge. This would result in a more natural look, giving your skin a healthy glow.

Cheeks

Choose colours closer to your skin tone. There's nothing more gorgeous than brown skin tinged with a little bit of gold, copper or luminous bronze. Imagine basking in the light of golden tropical sunset that is the effect of today's soft translucent shimmers. The shimmer is used at places where light is reflected, which means on your features as the cheekbones, brow bones and temples. This would give that much desired sun-kissed look without actually being at the beach.

Eyes

In the barely there look utmost attention is given to eye make-up. So play up your eyes to the hilt, but all in earthy tones. No aqua greens or fuchsias for the shadow play. Do up your eyes with the eyeliner and give it that smoky, smouldering look with a dab of grayish black shadow, blending it well. If you want a heavier look, use charcoal grey or brown eyeliner and smudge it. Finally cover with shimmer to give it that dewy look.

Lips

Now comes the tough part. Bare minimum is the shade used to define the lips. Tough because most often we are used to playing up our lips in flamboyant or radiant colours, especially for evening wear. But the array of natural shades, of different products, available in the market are to die for and the overall effect is stunning. Complete it with that shimmery natural gloss.

Finally, trust your instincts as to what is best suited for you rather than just going along with emerging trends. Beauty is after all in the eye of the beholder. If the barely there look is meant for you then, go for it.

HUSNA MOHAMMAD

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