Portrait of a woman
Old-worldly winged liners turn graphic and fluorescent lips become intrinsically bare. As culture takes an elevation through the contemporary adaptation of festive looks by five Delhi-based women, beauty beguiles you as it restructures tradition whilst taking to a modern aesthetic.
Photographs by: Gimmy Kohli @ Studio Thirty6
Makeup artist: Kangna Kochhar
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Hair stylist: Babli Ranjan
Alpana Mittal
Co-owner and Creative director, Azara and Alpananeeraj.
Credits:
Jersey and tulle dress, Alpananeeraj.
Choker, Amrapali by Manish Arora.
How do you think festive beauty looks have evolved over time for you?
I feel festive beauty has become extremely individualistic and non-conformist in the recent years. For me, it is no longer about winged liners and over the top make up. I love to use graphic liners and unconventional lip colors with a bit of contouring on the face and a dewy fresh look.
One beauty product you swear by?
My Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette is my favourite eye shadow bar and has the most beautiful dewy shadows for highlighting and contouring.
In today's times how do you think 'less is more' is defined by makeup?
I think a good base with SPF and extra hydration that can give you a fresh and sprightly look complemented by a little mascara and glossy lips is that one needs. I feel today make up is more about the appearance of a healthy glowing skin than anything else.
Your favourite lip shade for the season?
Rebel by MAC has to be my favourite colour of the season!
What’s your instant hair-fix for a last minute party invitation?
My all reliable Boots Essentials Curl Creme to boost my curls and post that I could tie it up or leave it loose.
Nikhita Tandon
Owner & Creative director, Nikhita Tandon.
Credits:
Floor-length sequined gown, Nikhita Tandon.
Silver choker, “Tribe” by Amrapali.
Khushali Kumar
Founder & Creative director, Reve by Khushali Kumar.
Credits:
Tangerine and gold gown, Reve by Khushali Kumar.
Gold lattice earring, Amrapali.
Any ancestral beauty hacks that work wonders for you?
Oat meal mixed with a bit of honey works as an amazing face pack. This remains a part of my daily regimen.
One beauty product you swear by?
Bare mineral – Mineralixirs-5 oil blend.
In today's times how do you think 'less is more' is defined by makeup?
The less makeup you use the better it appears, as too much makeup looks fake and can end up looking unattractive. BB creams, in my opinion, have become very popular because of the prevalence of the “less is more” trend.
4. With the kind of texture and length of your hair, how do you like to wear it during the hectic time of festivities?
Given the natural soft waves in which my hair falls, I prefer gathering it up in a messy bun or a high ponytail with an inch of hair wrapped around the mouth of the ponytail, instead of using a hair-tie, to create a fuss-free and chic wrap ponytail.
Your favourite lip shade for the season?
Bobbi Brown Art Stick “Dusty Pink” would have to be my current obsession. It’s a chunky pencil lipstick that gives a creamy matte finish.
Neeva Jain
Founder & Creative Director,
Credits:
LOOK 1:
Black dress, Issey Miyake.
Turkish piece set in sapphires and pearls.
LOOK 2:
Multi-coloured print dress, Missoni.
Ruby earrings, Rose;
Brooch, Bharanys.
How do you think festive beauty looks have evolved over time for you?
Festive beauty has over the last couple of decades become a “Red Carpet Moment” bonanza! Whether it's Diwali or birthday, Christmas or casual parties, the trend has become about looking drop-dead gorgeous and more often than not.
Any ancestral beauty hacks that work wonders for you?
My grandmother only used besan mixed with malai and a dash of lemon juice added in, as a face-mask, which has stuck with me through the ages.
One beauty product you swear by?
Genefique by Lancôme.
In today's times how do you think 'less is more' is defined by makeup?
Yes, for me personally, I believe an au natural look works best, as it makes me look younger. So in essence, I try to keep my makeup to a bare minimum.
5. With the kind of texture and length of your hair, how do you like to wear it during the hectic time of festivities?
I am very particular about making sure my hair is always groomed and blow dried professionally whenever I step out in public. Besides that, there are no other hard and fast rules that I must abide by.
Rima Mehra
Communications Director, Shantanu & Nikhil.
Credits:
Crimson Mandarin-collar jacket, Shantanu & Nikhil.
How do you think festive beauty looks have evolved over time for you?
Festive beauty is no longer about being opulent or explicit exaggeration; instead it has moved over and become more minimalistic, refined and elegant.
Any ancestral beauty hacks that work wonders for you?
My mother and grandmother have got me in a regime of using oil in my bath tub which I follow every day. This works wonders on my skin as a moisturiser. I also use milk to wash my face when I have had an entire day out in the sun.
In today's times how do you think 'less is more' is defined by makeup?
When the festive look itself is becoming rather minimalistic, the makeup too has to follow the same path of a cleaner, restrained look without ever compromising on elegance. For instance, with a plain black dress I would just use a dab of red lipstick to complete the look.
Your favourite lip shade for the season?
I am more inclined towards lighter shades of lipsticks, but I love to wear reds occasionally! I would say my array of nudes and reds are constant companions to my beauty kit.
What’s your instant hair-fix for a last minute party invitation?
My instant hair-fix for a last minute party invitation is getting under a shower and washing my hair, as a clean scalp gives me the best feeling and I am instantly ready to go!
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