Spot the makeup!

THE NO Makeup Makeup TREND Made I TS PRESENCE FELT ACROSS THE GLOBE and NOW THE uae I S WARMING up TO I T

ast year, when Kate Middleton madeher debut as Vogue’s cover girl, a lot of her ardent fans were pleasantly surprised. Trading her makeup staples — rosy cheeks, smoky eyes — for a more understated look made quite a few heads turn. Describing her look, The Daily Mail noted, “Kate normally favours heavy eyeliner, but Vogue makeup artist Sally Branka has persuaded her to try softer, blended eyeshadow and a dark brown brow pencil. The outcome? She looks so much younger and fresher. Branka has matched this with a tawny lipstick and warmed her complexion with a light dusting of bronzer. The result is fresh- faced and ‘ natural’, though a surprising amount of cosmetics will have been used for this ‘ no makeup makeup’ look.”

No makeup makeup might sound like an oxymoron, but it is a trend that is making its presence felt the world over. As a concept, the look primarily aims to highlight natural features of a face by applying makeup that is translucent. The Duchess of Cambridge is not the first international celebrity to have sported this look, nor will she be the last. But like most trends, no makeup makeup became a talking point after the Vogue cover, much like contouring got a wider attention after Kim Kardashian posted pictures where well- defined strokes accentuated her features.

The trend was first observed at the New York and Paris fashion weeks a few years ago, where it has now become common to spot models sashaying down the ramp in nude makeup. What began as a trend on the ramp gradually moved to Hollywood’s most coveted red carpets with A- listers such as Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Alicia Vikander, among oth- ers, sporting the look with élan. In Bollywood, too, leading ladies such as Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif are increasingly experimenting with the no makeup makeup look with results that are nothing short of fabulous.

As celebrities around the globe are increasingly embracing the no makeup makeup movement, one wonders where does the UAE — the hub of newest makeup trends — stand? The dominant trend in this part of the world has been makeup that is dramatic and pronounced. Thick, neatly drawn eyebrows, elaborate eyelashes and bold eyeliners are often considered indispensable. Yasmin Hussain, the MD of The Lipstick Makeup Institute that offers 14 different courses on makeup, says, “Because fashion is changing, so are makeup trends. Today, many of our clients genuinely believe less is more.” The best part of this trend is that it has something to offer every skin tone. UAE- based beauty blogger and makeup artist Kiran Farooq says lately she has received quite a few requests from Asian brides to do a no makeup makeup look for their big day. She is hopeful that this kind of makeup will make a bigger impact in days to come. “Slowly but surely, this trend is making a comeback in Dubai as well. We see women sporting a more natural, glowing look as opposed to the extremely contoured look we saw up until a few months ago. Women in the Middle East are a lot more welcoming to makeup trends simply because ‘ glam’ is a way of life here. Whether it is heavy or natural makeup, women here like to look polished even if it’s just for a quick lunch at a restaurant.”

Marrying the fine art of contouring with a judicious, not minimal, use of makeup, the no makeup makeup look ensures the products enhance your key facial features instead of covering them under a thick layer. “What essentially varies is the intensity of the use of makeup. For instance, the contouring done for a no makeup makeup is more understated. Similarly, for lipstick, you would choose a shade that is more likely to go with your natural lip colour,” says makeup artist Livia Redeg.

The look can be replicated on any skin type. But the key aspect, as Livia points out, is to use shades that go naturally with your skin tone. “The idea is to give a fresh and young look. When you choose to go with a base shade, which is lighter than your skin tone, your skin begins to look ash- y. So, always opt for something that matches your complexion.” Recently, wknd. went for a tutorial on achieving the no makeup makeup look at The Lipstick Makeup Institute. If you think it’s a 15- minute job, then you’re in for a surprise.

In the UAE, the dominant trend has been makeup that is dramatic. Many beauty experts are now receiving queries for a no makeup look that defines natural features instead of covering them

Upper brows Try and fill these with a shade lighter than your eyeshadow Lower Lids Highlight with beige liner for natural definition Cheekbone Use a light blush for a daytime look eyebrows Brush them gently to give a natural shape Centre of THE Forehead Brighten this area with a cream highlighter Temple Do light contouring here Under eyes Apply a corrector and use a cream highlighter to cover the area Cupid’s bow Light contouring here Lipline A lighter colour should line the lips