It’s that time of the year again. Lights, sweets, music, and hallways filled with laughter. The aroma of lip-smacking food floating around with the serene sound of the prayer bell ringing in distance; the festive season is a combination of men and women sorting out their ethnic ensembles with the excitement of catching up over food, dance, music, and some long lost “NRI” friends.
While we excitedly visit shops and search for the latest sarees, suits, and lehengas to kick start the festivities, our eyes also stay glued to the screens, while binge-watching “makeup” content from our favorite celebrities, makeup artists, and influencers. From dramatic and bold to minimalist and dewy, no festive look is complete till we achieve our desired makeup look. If you are one of those people who has trouble applying false lashes or someone who is clueless if you require color correction or not, then this article will wash away all your worries. Grab your pen and take notes ladies as we are going to list down the ultimate trending festive makeup looks of “2021!”
1. The Classic Smokey Eye
If you are a firm believer in the phrase “getting lost in your eyes,” then the classic black “smokey eye” is the perfect option for you. To start off, moisturize, prime, conceal and blend over your eyelids with a damp beauty blender/sponge. With a kajal/kohl pencil draw abstract lines on the eyelid. These need not be perfect as the next step is to tap and lightly blend them with your fingers. This gives depth and a longer-staying power to your black eyeshadow.
Take a little matte/shimmery black eyeshadow pigment or powder on your fluffy eye brush and blend in circular motions. Take a little product at a time and tap off the excess. A lighter brown, matte shade can be layered over the black eye shadow particularly on the crease area to soften the look a little. Curl your lashes and apply mascara for that flattering volume and length.
Apply kohl on your upper and lower lash-line, fill in your eyebrows and finish it off with your favorite pair of fake lashes. A little pro tip – Opt for a black lash glue instead of the transparent one as it will blend in more effortlessly even if you mess up! Take inspiration from the gorgeous Shraddha Kapoor who totally rocked this look!
2. Dewy and Minimalist
Are you someone who has always been a huge fan of keeping it simple yet stunning? Do you prefer going the subtle route and letting your features speak for themselves? If yes, then look no further as we have put together the perfect look for you, this festive season. You can opt for a dewy and minimalist “no makeup” look without feeling plain or bland. The key to achieving it is simple. Nourished, glowing and healthy skin with a flushed cheek. For all the dusky beauties, along with your skincare, opt for a golden tinted blush to compliment your undertones. Start off with an oil-based moisturizer and a tinted primer. Layer it with a water-based medium coverage foundation instead of a full coverage one. Conceal any breakouts and lightly set it with a loose powder. Lift your cheeks with some cream blush and subtle highlighter to add just the perfect amount of glow. Skip the contour, kohl, eye-liner, and keep it simple with just some mascara and natural lashes. Finish it off with a glossy lip and you are ready to make jaws drop! Take some inspiration from the stunning Aditi Rao Hydari who kept it minimal and dewy.
3. The Shimmer “Queen”
Sparkles and glitters can amp up any simple look within minutes! It is often considered as the “holy grail eye pigment” or “fairy dust” among all other eye makeup products. If you are a fan of adding a little bit of “sugar, spice, and everything nice” to complete your festive look then the search ends here. Add a dash of glitter to your eyelids, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow, and voila!
However a little word of caution for our beginner makeup enthusiasts – glitter can fall out easily which can spoil your whole makeup and end up creating empty eye patches. The key is to invest in a good quality glitter pigment or liquid glitter eyeliner which sticks better over your eyeshadow. Don’t forget to sweep the same color over your lower lash-line as well! The beautiful Anushka Sharma dazzled in shimmer and we couldn’t take our eyes off! Save this as an inspiration image now!
4. Statement Lips
Want to grab some eyeballs without putting in much effort? It’s pretty simple! Opt for a bold red/oxblood statement lip while keeping your entire makeup nude and understated. This strong move is a sure shot hit among people who are not scared to take their festive look up a notch. Lightly exfoliate your lips with a mix of sea salt and sugar or an old worn-out toothbrush. Moisturize your lips with your favorite unscented balm and let it sit for a minute or two.
This will make sure that your lipstick doesn’t crack and dry out your lips. Apply a light shade of concealer before applying the lipstick in order to make it long-lasting. Add a dash of gloss if you want that extra oomph! Always check for any stains on your teeth before heading out! Take a hint from Deepika Padukone, who managed to pull this off effortlessly!
5. A Splash of Color!
If you are someone who is not afraid to experiment with your looks once in a while then adding a hint of color to your eyes is a smart way of standing out in the crowd. Colorful eyeliner or a dash of bold eyeshadow on the lower lash-line will elevate even a simple ethnic kurta look. Make sure to blend it nicely to avoid any creases or stark lines.
If using colored kohl, then make sure to top it off with an eyeshadow of the same color. This will ensure that the product stays in place all day long. Our very own Bollywood “fashionista” Sonam K Ahuja opted for a swipe of red eyeshadow on the lower lash-line and we are absolutely impressed!
