Evening make-up tips

Make-up needs change with every occasion, season and even time of day. So if you want to deck up for an evening out, wear make-up differently than during the day.

Make light work

There is a fine line connecting similarities or differences between day and evening make-up—lighting.

During the day, we are exposed to different types of light—sunlight and artificial light. Even within artificial lighting, there are differences between the incandescent light we are exposed to at home and the fluorescent lighting we are exposed to at work.

The light that falls on our face affects the way our make-up looks. Hence, you need to change the style of your make-up depending on the kind of light at that time.

Normally, corporate parties use fluorescent light. So do pubs and other hang-outs, which are bright and fun. These kinds of lightings are known to sharpen your make-up, which creates an altogether different colour from the one you painstakingly wore at home.

Follow the rules

Here’s what you need to know about evening make-up.

• Stick to neutral shades under fluorescent lights. Such lights enhance deep or very dark pink blush in an artificial way.
• Use minimal or completely avoid golden and yellow tones—they look deadly.
• Avoid using bronzers.
• Use foundation sparingly. If you’re using powder foundation, dust off any excess with a pad or sponge.
• Stick to eye shadows in shades of blue, peach, and green. Keep away from the darker hues.
• If you’re headed to a home party, which will have incandescent lighting, soften your make-up colours. Here, you will have an opportunity to experiment more with colours by trying out contrasting, bright and bolder shades. If you’re dark-skinned, try plum and wine colours. The light-skinned should go for browns, dark and bright reds are a definite bet.

Do it in a jiffy

Sometimes we don’t even have 15 minutes to dress up our face for an evening party. Here’s how you can convert your day-time make-up into an evening make-up in an instant:

• Cleanse your face with a light cotton ball or a face cleaner. Leave your eye make-up on.
• Moisturise and apply foundation with a light sponge.
• Apply powder sparingly if your face gives off that extra shine.
• Re-apply eye liner to make it one shade darker than your daytime look.
• Give a touch-up with the blusher for that fresh look.
• Use a double coat of mascara. Since you are re-applying. Take care that it does not feel and look too heavy.
• Apply fresh lipstick—a shade darker will do just fine.
• Apply lip gloss for an extra oomph.

While most people are under the impression that make-up colours give them a personality, it is actually the lighting that decides, which colour reflects good on you.

The next time you plan to do your make-up, take extra care to understand the kind of party you’re headed to. Then use these tricks to become a show-stopper.