ANIRUDDHA CHAKLADAR

Age: 36.

In the profession since: 1995.

Starting point: “I always knew that I wanted to do this but it turned out to be my career quite by chance. I began as a teacher in a grooming school where I met model Riya Mitra. She introduced me to Sanchita Kushari Bose of Dream Merchants. Work started coming my way and this is when my profession took a serious turn.”

Looks up to: His guru Pandhari Jukar, along with Mumbai-based artists Mickey Contractor and Cory Walia.

Signature look: Kohl eyes and nude lips. Aniruddha always exaggerates the eyes with a whole lot of kohl, not just with sweeps of eye shadow.

Big break: Working with Sharmila Tagore in Rituparno Ghosh’s Shubho Mahurat. “I have always looked up to her and working with her for 15 days, almost 14 hours a day was mind-blowing. In fact, we are still in touch through SMS,” he smiles.

Has worked on: Leading Tollywood actresses right from Indrani Halder to Swastika Mukherjee, along with top-notch models like Indrani Dasgupta and Nethra Raghuraman.

Wants to work on: Angelina Jolie. “She seems to have great skin so I will concentrate only on enhancing her eyes. As for her famous lips, all they need is a sheer hint of gloss.”

ABHIJIT CHANDA

Age: 24.

In the profession since: 1999.

Starting point: “I did a professional make-up course in Bangalore and then came back to Calcutta to look for a job. It was then that I happened to meet photographer Rana Bose. We also shot a portfolio together. Eventually, I got to know about event co-ordinators and thus began my career.”

Looks up to: Mickey Contractor, Cory Walia and Aniruddha Chakladar.

Signature look: The mantra being “less is more”, his signature look is also very understated and subtle. “I am not one for a cakey look. Just kajal with mascara and a hint of blush with some lip gloss.”

Big break: Assisting make-up artists Jojo and Yatan at India Fashion Week 2004. Also, working with Ambika Pillai in the Blender’s Pride fashion tour last year.

Has worked on: Actresses like Hrishita Bhatt, Suman Ranganathan and Moushumi Chatterjee.

Wants to work on: Sushmita Sen. “For her beautiful features. I think I will focus on her eyes alone and that should be more than enough for her.”

ANITA SADHUKHAN

Age: 45.

In the profession since: 1994.

Starting point: “I was one of (the late) Prabir De’s first students and later accompanied him to all his bridal assignments. Thereafter, he encouraged me to do a lot more work and so my career started rolling.”

Looks up to: Her mentor Prabirda.

Signature look: She sticks to a very natural base, an almost nude skin tone. “For a studio shoot I like pale lips but a bridal get-up always calls for brighter lips.”

Big break: An international shoot in Singapore with actress Locket Chatterjee. Also, the L’Oreal show in Calcutta last year.

Has worked on: Actresses like Rituparna Sengupta and Mouli Ganguly.

Wants to work on: Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan. “Though they are old their grace and beauty are unmatched. I would keep their look as close to natural ? something that will suit their age and personality.”

MOUSHUMI CHATTERJEE

Age: 39.

In the profession since: 1989.

Starting point: “A friend introduced me to Prabir De and before I knew it, I had enrolled myself in his classes as one of his first students?”

Looks up to: Prabirda.

Signature look: Is very flexible. “Though I am all for a natural look, sometimes a designer’s shoot requires me to go with the chosen theme. At times like these, the natural look just doesn’t work.”

Big break: Working on Koena Mitra for one of her shows. “She is now such a huge star that I feel proud to have done up her face.”

Has worked on: Reshmi Ghosh, Celina Jaitley and models Shonal Rawat, Tupur and Tapur Chatterjee.

Wants to work on: Rani Mukherjee. “I think a no make-up look would suit her best. I would like to stick to her filmi look ? smoky eyes and a glossy mouth.”

NABIN DAS

Age: 31.

In the profession since: 1994.

Starting point: “I used to constantly experiment on my sisters, be it hair or make-up? This is how I figured out what I was truly interested in. Now I really enjoy doing it professionally ? both for brides as well as designer shoots.”

Looks up to: Late Prabir De.

Signature look: Bright eyes with a dash of glitter. He also specialises in “cutting the cheek to pronounce the jaw line”. He also believes that very pale lips look too dull and so favours a slight pink or peach glossy mouth.

Big break: The Satya Paul show at Hyatt Regency Calcutta earlier this month along with shoots with designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Kiran Uttam Ghosh.

Has worked on: Actresses Mona ‘Jassi’ Singh, Mandira Bedi and Perizaad Zorabian; model Yukta Mookhey.

Wants to work on: Amitabh Bachchan. “Well, if I get the chance to touch his face, I think I will surely faint! If and when I recover, I would keep his make-up very subtle and natural.”

After Big B, Nabin would like to dab the grease paint on Aishwarya Rai. “I’ll give her a smudged smoky look with slight blush on the cheekbones and pale lips.”