Make up matters

What I love about my work is that I get to meet the most interesting people and talk about the most interesting things. Every person that I have interviewed over the years has left something behind for me to learn, sometimes on topics that I knew nothing about.

Make up is one of them.

I recently interviewed a dear friend of mine — Vimi Joshi — who is a successful professional in the beauty business and the global senior make-up artist for M. A. C cosmetics Middle East and India. Joshi and I discussed the role of make up in our society on my first live chat for a segment on The Uma Show and this is what I’d love to share with my readers today.

It comes as no surprise that beauty is a $20 billion (Dh73 billion) business in this region.

“Women in this region love make up, as it’s [the eyes are often] the only part of their face showing and it’s often their only form of self expression”, she said. And they do complete justice to the art. Nowhere in the world do ladies make up their eyes so meticulously. This is a lesson of sorts, for people like me who have always been interested in make up, but didn’t know much about it. I needed it in my line of work and at the end of the day I was happy to be rid of it all. Gradually, however, I began to see its importance for one’s overall appearance and started enjoying it. Make up isn’t just about vanity.

The New York Times did a study about women with make up, which apparently showed they were seen as more attractive, likeable, competent and trustworthy. Though grooming rituals can be temporary confidence boosters — and some women do not fancy being objectified by make up — the way I see it is that its an essential part of a lady’s grooming, and something as important as combing your hair or ironing your clothes.

So without going over the top, what are the basics that a woman should know about make up application, I asked Joshi. “Use a great moisturiser, then a creamy foundation with powder. Line your eyes with kohl and add some mascara. Apply lipstick and use the same colour as blush.” She adds, “Make up completely transforms your mind, body and soul. You can see it when the body language of the person changes right before your eyes. Something magical happens to them”.

Even if you haven’t been a big fan of cosmetics, I’d say its worth a try. If nothing else, at least you’ll have some fun with colours.

— The Uma Show airs every Sunday at 8pm on Colors and Friday at 9pm on MTV India. Follow Uma on social media on @umagd