Your guide to being glam

Bored rigid of the same old you when you look into the mirror each morning? Desperately want to change your looks, but don't know where to begin? Billie Mobayed, director, Life Model Management (Dubai), suggests tips and tricks to get an instant makeover. These makeover tricks not only help you see a new you right away, they are easily reversible if you don't like what you see in the mirror. 

Red lipstick? Yes, you bet!...

"I am all for red!" says Mobayed. Nothing brightens up your smile like a splash of colour. Red lipstick works as an instant pick-me-up for a tired face, bringing out the perfect pout and the colour in your face. Bright red lip colours are not easy to wear because unless you get that shade absolutely right you run the risk of looking like a disaster. Not too overpowering coral and cranberry shades are better suited for pale skin, while those with olive skin can go for the more adventurous orange and mandarin tones. The luckiest ones are those with darker skin that can carry off the glossy blood red, brick and cherry shades. When buying red lipstick, one way to compare shades is to apply one lip colour on your top lip and another shade of lip colour on your lower lip. Compare and buy the one you think that flatters your skin tone the best. 

Go feather-light with foundation...

Most of us wear foundation on a regular basis. As well as covering blemishes and dark circles, it provides an even base for your make-up and protects you from the harmful rays of the sun and also from pollution. However, you don't have to look like a plastic doll when wearing foundation. The secret to natural-looking foundation lies in its application. It is not necessary to cover your entire face with foundation. Simply put it on the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and then blend out towards your hairline. Apply a small amount of concealer under your eyes followed by a light dusting of translucent powder.

Most make-up artists recommend using either a foundation brush or a small triangular sponge.

"I prefer using my fingers to lightly blend and achieve the same flawless, natural-finish results. I like to use a tinted moisturiser for a more casual and natural look, but first I use a light concealer pen to cover blemishes, if any," says Mobayed. 

Reverse the parting pattern...

Every once in a while we have all made that fatal mistake of cutting our hair to a drastic degree... in the name of change. Being experimental and exploring different looks can keep image boredom at bay, but it can also sometimes leave you feeling like a sheared sheep. On the other hand changing your parting and creating different layers can achieve an instant image makeover. "Middle partings," says Mobayed, "remind me of the flower power 1960s - a long, overgrown face and dreadfully lackadaisical bangs that do the face no favours. However, if you use partings with thought behind them, the result is magical. Straight hair parted in the centre and fixed on either side with small decorative pins can lead to a girly, sweet-and-fun look for the day. Parting hair on one side and pulling it back into a tight ponytail is a very diva touch. Not only does it look slick and clean, it also adds a touch of drama. Soft curls parted over to one side falling seductively over one eye is rockingly romantic! Changing the parting daily is also good for hair growth as hair may weaken if only ‘trained' in one direction." 

Switch on the eyeliner magic...

A hard day's work in front of a computer doesn't necessarily have to mean panda eyes for a party. A trendy coloured eyeliner can brighten eye make-up. "The old myth of ‘blue liner for blue eyes' is deservedly dead. Use black, russet, even gold. Brown eyes light up with a soft grey liner or even a deep royal blue. Apply inside the eye and add a little over the top lid and smudge softly with a good brush for wide-awake eyes. If you're not comfortable putting liner on the inner eyes, smudge it all around and use a white liner on both upper and lower lids to make the inner eye whiter. Blue eyes look fabulous with a dark smokey look or a purple or violet shade for an Elizabeth Taylor-like glam. Avoid reds or pinks as they tend to make you look exhausted."

The right specs...

Wearing spectacles is not an option for many, but the right frame definitely adds a touch of glam to one's personality. "I love going for trendy fashion frames," says Mobayed. "They perk up my mood and bring out my chameleon personality." A fun, bright, colourful frame, she suggests is a nice accessory to a daytime outfit. A black, rectangular frame gives one's attire a formal edge. Make sure the black frames are not harsh in their effect. Tortoiseshell frames add a touch of class when wearing casual khaki or linen wear. Diamante frames add glamour to any evening outfit and showcase sweeping evening eyelashes beautifully. 

Change your hair colour...

For those who colour their hair frequently a change of hair colour is always refreshing. However getting it right is a little more challenging. "I think most of us have all got it wrong at some point in our lives," says Mobayed. Her advice - block colouring is always best done professionally at a salon. Getting the shade evenly throughout the hair is not only important for the look, but also for the health of your hair. When having your hair coloured, you should highlight your natural tones. Brown hair is best suited to warm rich tones of chocolate, copper or chestnut. Black hair shines with aubergine and mahogany; and blonde hair with golden or ash tones.

Go for highlights or lowlights...

For those who haven't coloured their hair before, going for a full colour wash is too drastic a makeover option and one that's not easily reversible. Apart from the obvious root re-growth and damage issues that crop up with full colour, you stand the risk of not liking the new colour once it is on, and at that point it may be too late to undo the change. Instead, highlights or lowlights offer a controlled, subtle and reversible hair colour change. Try going two shades lighter with fine highlights.

If you are feeling a bit more adventurous, ask your hairdresser to make them more concentrated around the front. This is a perfect tactic to disguise grey hair and avoids a block re-growth. Highlights or lowlights can dramatically warm up any hair colour, and going for a consultation with a reputable hairdresser before taking the plunge is a must.

Never attempt to do them yourself - as even a single mistake can mess up the hair colour altogether. 

Let the cheeks glow...

The shelves in the beauty stores are brimming with a vast range of cheek colours and it's time you picked one even if you are a fan of the bare make-up look. There are blushers and bronzers to suit all skin tones - ranging from the lightest shades of pinks to warm coffee browns. Cheek colour doesn't just impart a healthy glow to the face, but also helps contour and shape your face accentuating the areas you want to highlight.

Fair skin women look brighter when using pale pinks and rose tones. Olive skins do well with apricot and coffee. "I love red for darker skin. Make sure the blush is not more than two shades darker than your skin as you do not want to look orangey," says Mobayed.

Experiment with shading strokes. To accentuate the cheekbones - apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, working it just below the cheekbones. Take it around your hairline and forehead for a more dramatic and contoured look. Using a quality brush will ensure a smooth natural blended finish. "I change my blush colour depending on the occasion or event. Keep the blush light and subtle during the day, and go for a darker, bolder cheek colour to add a dramatic appeal in evening lighting.

Highlight them with a little sparkle or glitter in the evenings."

Wear coloured contact lenses...

"I have always been a die-hard fan of coloured lenses," says Mobayed. "With coloured lenses, not only your eyes, but your personality sparkles as well."

Brown eyes can be romantic, mysterious and warming, but try green lenses with darker and olive skin tones, "I love the exotic effect of green lenses. It lightens up the face and the eyes radiate. In my opinion, it makes them look bigger, brighter and more welcoming."

Grey lenses are always dramatic, no matter what the skin tone. They produce a dazzling stare and look very seductive. It is fun to reinvent your eye colour with the seasons.

Wear blue lenses in the summer when you have a sun-kissed glow to your skin, as that offsets a blue eye colour well. 

Get your teeth whitened...

The most beautiful feature on a face is a magnetic smile. Stained and discoloured teeth can mar the beauty of even the most angelic-looking face. Plus, gleaming white teeth tends to knock years off your face.

These days there are many options to have a perfect Hollywood smile at any age. You can opt for veneers, but they are time-consuming and costly.

Instead ask your dentist to offer a quick and painless solution - he can either prepare a home bleaching kit with moulds custom-fitted for your mouth or suggest the option of laser whitening.

- Ritu Raizada is Lifestyle Features Coordinator, Friday Ritu Raizada is Lifestyle Features Coordinator, Friday