Backstage beauty diaries

Lakmé Fashion Week’s makeup expert Clint Fernandes on nude lips, lashes, and industrial-strength makeup

It’s not all about clothes at Fashion Week. This year’s LFW Winter-Festive showcased many trends, including heavily kohled eyes and wine-coloured lips. But in the heated and rushed atmosphere, makeup artists have to depend a lot on their skills to keep the face looking fresh. Bazaarr asked Clint Fernandes to spill the secrets he used backstage.

ADD DEPTH WITH PURPLE

Not only is purple back, but with good reason. In art, purple is used instead of black to create the illusion of depth. When used around the eyes as an eye shadow or liner, it enhances brown eyes better than black.

IT’S NEVER TOO MUCH

For Sabyasachi’s show, we focused on both the eyes and lips. The trick is not to overdo black, since it can make your eyes look flat. In fact, skip the eye shadow altogether and add smoke with a roughly-smudged eyeliner. The lips must be an understated wine instead of an all-out red to keep the look sophisticated.

MIX IN SOME ROMANCE

Embellish your strands for a hint of romance. Shantanu Goenka’s show had a really simple updo, done up with strings of jewellery. You don’t even need a hair ornament—just any old jewellery works well.

EVEN OUT YOUR SKIN

Bright lights bring out every minute flaw—it’s important to prep your skin right before wearing makeup. Use a pore minimiser before applying the primer. The combination of both covers skin imperfections and helps the foundation stay on longer. At home, rub an ice pack on your face for about 5-10 minutes before putting on any makeup—if there is one trick, it’s this.

DOUBLE UP

Fashion Week demands voluminous lashes. Start by curling them and swiping a primer. Make your lashes i mpactful by using a combination of mascaras. Start with a lengthening mascara to separate and elongate. Let them dry, and then apply a volumising mascara to get the best of both worlds. You can also dust a little loose powder on your eyes before each coat.

WORK NUDE THE RIGHT WAY

Amit Aggarwal’s show was all about the bare face; the skin was matte with touches of highlighter to add iridescence where required. Even the lips were kept neutral, but that didn’t mean they were bare. (Always define your lips even when you plan to not use lipstick.) A layer of foundation makes them even-toned, enhanced further with a lip liner that’s closest to your natural colour. Finally, wear a lipstick in the same shade, dust with powder, and set with clear gloss.