With winter dryness intensifying during this season, what pre-makeup skin prep routine do you recommend for brides and party clients to help avoid cakiness?
-Shabana Nanda, Noida
Cold weather would mean dehydrated, flaky skin, which is a big hindersnce to a smooth base. Start with a gentle renewal, an enzyme exfoliant, or a mild chemical scrub, which helps you to remove the dry patches without scratching or harming the skin barrier. Follow that with a hydrating mist, then a hyaluronic acid or a ceramide serum. You can also use a squalene oil, which will help reduce excessive dry patches on the skin. Finally, use a hydrating primer. This will prepare the skin for that smooth base.
What’s the best way to adapt global festive trends like chrome lids or berry lips to make them flattering for Indian skin tones?
-Naman Jain, Mumbai
International festive trends like chrome lids and berry lips are everywhere, but they need to be adapted to Indian skin tones. I would suggest warming up the chrome. That means instead of cool silvers, opt for chromes in gold, bronze, copper, or rose tones that complement the Indian warmth. Balance the sparkle with a soft matte crease for dimension. Choose the right berry; Indian tones carry deeper berry shades very beautifully. Fair tones glow in rose berry hues, medium in cranberry and raspberry, while the deeper skin would look regal in plum wine or jamun shades. Pair it with a brown-berry lip liner to give you that beautiful, seamless look.
How can I balance shimmer for party looks so it stays sophisticated and doesn’t emphasise texture?
-Amrita Sheth, Hyderabad
Shimmer can make or break a party look, especially under harsh lighting at an event. The key is fineness and placement. So, ideally, I would recommend you choose finely milled shimmer or liquid metallics that create the sheen but not the sparkle. Apply shimmer only to smoother areas like the centre of the eyelid, inner corners or the cupid’s bow. Blend it with your fingertips to melt the product into the skin, reducing the look of the texture.
How can I use highlighter placement for different face structures so that the glow feels natural but not oily?
-Paramjeet Singh, New Delhi
Highlighters are meant to mimic the natural light to create a beautiful, natural-looking sheen, but not oiliness. If you have a round face, use highlighter higher and outward to sculpt and elongate the face. If you have an oval face, use the classic C shape from the cheekbone to the brow. For a square face, keep it centred on the cheekbone to soften the angle. For a long face, you can highlight it horizontally to avoid the chin and prevent further elongation of the face. Ideally, use cream or liquid formulas that will blend in and look like the glow is from within.
With more brides requesting minimal looks even for sangeet and receptions, how can we maintain impact while keeping the makeup soft?
-Nishita Dholia, Pune
Most brides today prefer minimalistic but polished makeup looks. The trick here is to focus on clarity and definition without the heaviness. Choose one statement feature. This could be soft smoky brown eyes, a muted velvet lip, or a glowing skin base with brushed-up brows. Keep one focal point, ensuring the look remains effortless but striking. Build subtle structure, and instead of loud colours, use rosewoods and muted golds. Tight lining will add an impact without the weight of the heavy kajal. Cream blush in a dusky rose or a terracotta gives a natural flush to the skin. Add a sheer liquid highlighter mixed with moisturiser, bringing luminosity without the shine. Minimal does not mean plain; it means it is thoughtfully enhanced.
MEET THE EXPERT
Vaishali is a qualified cosmetologist and nutritionist, and the founder-director of LTA School of Beauty. With 14 years of salon experience and global training from CIBTAC and CIDESCO, she empowers thousands of professionals through expert programs. As India’s official beauty skill expert for the National Skill Development Council, she has represented the country at five WorldSkills competitions and served at international skill events, championing strong foundations and career-ready training for students.
To participate in Ask Our Expert and get your questions answered by Vaishali K Shah, message your query to @pbhjindia on Instagram or email to afrin.idex@gmail.com.
*Questions have been edited for clarity and length.