It’s the season of colourful umbrellas, rubber flip-flops, and boring raincoats – monsoon is officially here. While it pours, our inner beauty enthusiast is taking a backseat. Is it time to turn up to the office with a bare face? It’s better than giving your morning presentation with a bleeding liner, right? Not quite!
We’re the ladies of today, and nothing can stop us from being the best version of ourselves everyday. We brave the storms of patriarchy and period; we’ve got monsoon in our back pockets. If you’re all set to head out for a long day at the office, here are some monsoon makeup recommendations that will come in handy.
Monsoon makeup tricks that will help you look flawless
1. Waterproof makeup is your BFF
If you’ve underestimated the power of waterproof makeup, stop now. Waterproof makeup can prove to be a boon during all seasons, especially monsoon. It stays intact for longer hours, prevents feathering, and keeps you looking fresh and proper through the day.
When layering waterproof makeup, make sure you let each product take its time. Space out the primer and the foundation, and let the setting spray sit for a while before you step out. It’s humid out, so the formulations can take some extra time to settle.
Pro-tip: When dealing with waterproof makeup, keep Q-tips and micellar water ready to instantly clean up smudges and prevent staining.
Here are some waterproof makeup products you should consider:
· Colorbar All-Matte Eyeliner
While it’s a great idea to ditch your eyeliner in monsoon for a soft, minimal makeup look, go for a waterproof one if you must wear your classic cat eye-look to work. This Colorbar eyeliner has a matte finish as opposed to a glossy one, and stays put for as long as 16 hours without bleeding or feathering.
· Miss Claire Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil
One of the most affordable brands on the market, Miss Claire eyebrow pencil is better than a lot of luxe brands out there. The waterproof pencil is highly pigmented to give you single-stroke application, and the spoolie allows you to achieve a natural look seamlessly.
· Maybelline New York The Colossal Mascara Waterproof
If you’re team mascara too, you know the importance of a waterproof one. This Maybelline Colossal mascara is infused with collagen to give you instantly plump and lifted lashes. The mega wand ensures that you get a clump-free application for upto 12 hours, so you can slay round the clock.
2. Ditch the heavy creamy formulas
Cream blushes and jelly highlighters have taken over the market, but for the rainy season, let’s stick to the basics. Powder formulations prevent you from looking cakey and tend to stay in place a lot longer in humid weather. Some beauty gurus might ask you to avoid foundation if you can, because monsoon makeup is all about ‘less is more’.
Powder-based matte products settle better on the skin and prevent you from looking greasy or oiled out. They’re also lightweight and don’t settle in the creases of your skin upon long wear.
Pro-tip: It’s important to have a well-moisturised base to prevent your powder formulas from shifting and caking.
Here are some powder formulations to consider:
· Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow 10 Pan Palette
Every beauty influencer has boasted about the Wet n Wild eyeshadow palette at least once. The 10-pan palette comes with base, transition, and shimmer shades. The highly pigmented formula is buttery soft and can be used dry or wet, with minimal fallout in case of the former.
· Kay Beauty Matte Blush
Ditch the contour and bronzer and opt for a pink, flushed look this season. A soft, matte formula like the Kay Beauty blush is a great alternative if you’re looking for one that gives you natural coverage without looking clown-like. The weightless formula is non-transferable and does not settle into the fine lines of your skin even upon long wear.
3. Go for water-based hydration
We often skip using moisturisers during the rainy season because we assume that the rain is keeping our skin hydrated. Whatever season it is, never skip your moisturiser! During monsoon, you can go for a water-based moisturiser instead of an oil-based formula. A gel moisturiser can keep your skin feeling hydrated, non-sticky, and fresh.
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to layer your moisturiser with SPF. The sun is out even when it’s not shining.
Here’s a water-based moisturiser you can consider:
· Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, this Neutrogena gel is a classic choice for a lot of skincare enthusiasts. It helps enhance smoothness, firmness, and plumpness while strengthening your moisture barrier from within.
4. Keep your base matte
If anything, monsoon is not the time for sun-kissed looks and glowy bases. Say goodbye to liquid foundation and say hello to powder bases and compacts. Due to intense humidity, liquid foundations can become blotched upon continued wear. To avoid that, you can go for a no-foundation look with just correctors and concealers, or opt for a powdery formula.
If you’re doing the latter, it’s important to use a lightweight, smoothening primer to keep it intact for longer.
Pro-tip: BB and CC creams can come in handy if you want to avoid foundation-confusion.
· M.A.C Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Available in over 35 shades suitable for every Indian skin tone, the powder foundation provides medium to full coverage with an oil-free, matte finish. The formula looks completely natural, and stays on for as long as 24 hours, so even when you start to droop, your perfect base doesn’t.
· Lakme Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer
The Lakme primer has been around for a while, and is the OG primer for a lot of beauty experts. The tinted formula blends pores and smoothes fine lines, and can be used as a standalone base for no-makeup-makeup days.
5. Bring out the smudge-proof lipsticks and tints
The rainy season is a great time to bring out your liquid lipsticks and natural lip tints. While you can use a smudge-proof bullet lipstick, a liquid formula is your safest bet to prevent feathering and smudges. You can add a liner under your creamy matte formula, and some powder on top if you’re dreading spending on a new liquid shade.
If you want to go for a soft, natural look, lip tints can work wonders. Just dab a few drops on your lips, and blend it in with your fingers. But be quick to spread it if you don’t want blotted, clowney cheeks.
Pro-tip: Don’t make the mistake of layering your liquid lipstick or tint with gloss. Rain comes in, gloss goes out.
· Nykaa Matte to Last! Transfer Proof Liquid Lipstick
Nykaa liquid lipsticks are a great way to add a little oomph to your boring monsoon outfit. From warm browns to iconic reds and solid pinks, this lip shade has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a classic pink nude, don’t forget to check out Bombae and Madras-Kaapi.
· The Face Shop Water Fit Lip Tint
Wondering how those Korean beauties ace the subtle ombre lip with just a hint of pink? Lip tints it is! The Face Shop lip tints are one of the most moisturising, transfer-proof formulas in the Indian market. Available in five shades, these lip tints consist of a gel formula that is non-sticky and perfect for the monsoon.
The rainy season can be a real menace if you don’t adapt your styling choices to it. From footwear to office wear, you need a different something for the rainy days. If you are all set to step out with your flawless monsoon makeup, here are some tips that can come handy:
- Carry Q-tips and makeup wipes for quick cleanups
- Don’t skip the hair sprays and serums to tame the unruly frizz
- Go for brighter colours instead of basic nude ones
- Don’t ditch the setting spray
- Go easy on false lashes
- Swap out metallic or shimmery shadows for pastel hues
- SPF is a must, although you can use a reduced strength
At last, don’t forget to slay ladies. The monsoon is about damp socks, not dampened spirits.
You’re invited! Join the Kool Kanya women-only career Community where you can network, ask questions, share your opinions, collaborate on projects, and discover new opportunities.Join now.
