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PHOTO: V. Ganesan

Art of beauty Samantha Kochhar

The woman who has helped several top-notch models and actors put their best face forward, approaches beauty as an art. “Yes, the face is my canvas,” she smiles, as she reels off practical, how-to tips on everything — from fresh-faced styles to cutting-edge glamour.

“A beautician can make or mar your face. And that’s why it’s important for professionals to get the right guidance before getting started,” she says. “A good makeup artist helps you better your looks with simple techniques. She will help you identify and play up features that add interest and individuality to your face.”

Juggling brushes of varied sizes and peering at her ‘canvas’, she continues, “Chennai has good potential. But we need to raise the bar to get where Mumbai and New Delhi are. So what I’m trying to do is unlock creativity and shape aspirants into thinking makeup artists. Also, get them introduced to state-of-the-art products and techniques.”

Samantha’s next step would be to popularise the airbrush technique in the South. “It has caught on in New Delhi and Mumbai. Now, over 40 per cent of the parlours recommend it for the base. The method is hygienic and it involves spraying micro-fine particles on your face. Like spray painting, the finish is even,” says the celebrity make-up artist and hair stylist, who has worked in many Bollywood films, including Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding.”

“It’s a gruelling job. But once you make it, you can earn over Rs.15,000 for a bridal. I was thrown out of class on day one. Being Blossom Kochhar’s daughter, it wasn’t a cakewalk for me. Mom told me that only hard work pays. I gradually picked up the threads and even now, I enrol myself for up-gradation courses. It’s a continuous learning process. We are dealing with a live canvas — the face, and a natural accessory — the hair. We can’t afford to mess-up,” Samantha flashes her pearly 32.

Over the years, Samantha has navigated a high-powered career — hosting make-over shows for television channels including NDTV, groomed models for beauty pageants and fashion shows and lending her artistic hands to international ramp shows. “Now, it’s satisfying for me to see my students do the makeup for these shows.

“Talk about beauty awareness, and Samantha beams, “It’s never been so good, thanks to Bollywood, Fashion Weeks and the media. Today, we have clients coming in and asking stylists for a John Abraham hair cut or a Kareena Kapoor look. But it’s important for people to choose what works for them. Some of our icons look unhealthy. We can’t afford to go on crash diets to get their look. How long can someone survive like that? Approach to beauty needs caution.

The word ‘caution’ lights up her face and she continues, “One must be careful while choosing parlours and salons. Make enquiries about the certification — where the technicians have been trained. Watch out for frequency of clientele visits, hygiene level and quality of products used. When it comes to treatments such as botox, laser and chemical peels, be extra careful. There’s only this much a beautician can do. She can only complement a doctor’s job in some treatments. There’s a fine line between being a beautician and being a dermatologist. For instance, a beautician can’t prescribe medicines for acne. And a dermatologist takes the help of an aesthetician for certain treatments.”

The Amy Winehouse and Sopia Lauren looks are in.

Go for red lipstick and thick eye-liners this season.

Just highlight any one feature, don’t overdo makeup.

Fringes, bouffants and braids are back.

The neck is in focus, so chokers will be the accessory

in the coming months.

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