It’s easy to ignore your well being during the Pujas.

Beauty expert Deepti Mohinder of Studio Meche, Calcutta, advises how not to do it.

Make-up:

• Use powder. During the Pujas avoid using cream-based products. Instead, apply powder for a matte effect. Don't apply too much foundation and concealer. Use powder as the base of make-up. A powder-based foundation will last longer in the humid weather. Also, using a primer is essential before applying the makeup.
  
• The festive season is about bright colours: burning red, bright pink, flamboyant orange. Combine a bright colour with a neutral one for best effects. If you choose a blazing red for your lips, be gentle on your eyes.
  
• Let your lipstick stay on. After the first layer, place a tissue over your mouth. Coat a large brush with translucent powder and brush your lips with it through the tissue. This will help absorb excess oil and allow the lipstick to hold on.
  
• To cover dark circles, add a pinch of orange pigment to your concealer. Typically, concealer can be chalky or white, but underneath your eyes, orange can work to counteract the blue or purple undertone that causes dark circles. If you don’t have orange concealer, use orange lipstick. It’s a secret.
  
• Do your eye make-up before the face. If any eye shadow has dropped on to your cheeks, it can be easily cleaned without your concealer getting messed up.
  
• Scotch-tape eye stencil. This make-up tool will help you to apply eye-liner and shadows perfectly, especially if you’re going for a more daring look like the “cat eye”.
  
• We all dread that our foundation will give us a pale ghost face, or a scary orange jaw line. As your neck isn’t exposed to the sun as much as your face, it is much better to match your foundation with the skin on your neck.
  
• A lot of us overlook our eyebrows (or have plucked them into non-being). But they define our face. The ideal shape of your eyebrows depends on your unique features. Like contouring, your eyebrow shape and thickness can help soften your face shape.
  
• DIY tinted moisturiser: This works just as well as a B&B cream. It hides blemishes and brings a natural look. Simply mix your favorite facial moisturiser with a little bit of concealer. This way you can customise it with just the right amount of coverage.
  
• Since humidity levels are still high, sweaty dark arms remain a big concern. The skin in this area is very sensitive and is susceptible to a variety of problems like rashes, pigmentation, infection, ingrown hair and even pimples. A quick tip to keep your underarm sweat at bay and to avoid those ugly looking patches on your outfits: stick absorbent tissue that doesn’t crumble or panty liners on the inner lining of your dress.
  

Haircare:

• Hair colouring, heat styling and all the products can cause breakage and hair fall. So be extra-careful.
• Use lukewarm or room-temperature water to wash wash your hair. Hot water strips the hair of its natural oils and makes it drier.
  
• In the shower, detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb while there is conditioner in your hair. It helps spread the product and makes drying easier.
  
• Hair masks work like magic for your hair. There are plenty of masks in the market. Choose yours.
  
• Trimming your hair can give a dramatic dose of health to them. It removes the damaged parts without compromising on the length.
  

Skincare:

• Cleansing your face at the beginning and end of the day is a must. If you are used to wearing make-up, cleansing is all the more important.
  
• Our skin needs to remain moisturised as much as possible. One of the best ways to moisturise the skin is by using grapeseed oil. This lightens marks and dark circles, tightens and tones the skin and leaves it baby-soft.
  
• Use a good UV-protection sunscreen.
  
• Cruel advice for the festive season: stay away from sweets. Too much fried and sweet foods can lead to breakouts, weight gain, dull-looking skin and allergies.
  

Model: Madhuja Aditya Chaudhuri

Styling: Proloy Dasgupta

Photographer: Baban Mukherjee

Sari courtesy: Abhishek Dutta

Madhuja Aditya Chaudhuri Baban Mukherjee

Madhuja Aditya Chaudhuri Baban Mukherjee