Chic bridal looks for you!

Bridal makeup is getting innovative by the day, creating different looks to suit different occasions. Bridal makeup expert Maushmi Dhawan suggests the Oriental, the 70's dazzling diva look, chic out of the bed look and the Indo-Western fusion look for dazzling this wedding season

Ostentatious oriental
The Oriental look adds an element of exotica and is perfect to adorn for cocktail parties. It includes lot of colours and requires you to pay special attention to hair to get the look right.

Makeup
• First take the concealer followed by a pancake and translucent powder. Match it to the skin colour for natural finish or go for one shade fairer uplifting the tone.
• Clean the brow and add a light and bright shimmering colour eye shadow.
• Apply the eyeliner with wing effect from top to bottom.
• Add kohl in the lower eye lid along with mascara on the eyelashes for better definition. Apply blush on temples and cheek bones and end the look with a lip liner for defined lips along with a lipstick of long lasting colour and gloss.

Hairdo
Divide hair in two parts E2E (ear to ear) in the front section and the back section. Create pony tail between the back section of the parting and above the ear, keeping a semi-circular effect.
• Push all the hair below ear towards one side creating one sided pony clipping it with pins and not rubber band.
• The section from forehead to E2E, create a side parting or whichever one prefers making a side swap.
• Back comb the hair that is in the ponytail and which is clipped to enhance the hairstyle.
• Add flowers and straws for the Oriental effect.

Chic out of the bed look
For this sultry appeal, keep the hair dramatic and large and makeup nude and subtle.

Makeup
• Apply the foundation, translucent powder and concealer (if required).
• Add the blush on cheeks and use light peach and pink as eye shadow.
• Use kohl as definer to the lower eye lid and light mascara for effect.
• Apply gloss on lips for sheer effect.

Hairdo
• Divide hair in two parts, forehead to E2E and E2E to occipital bone
• Defuse dry the back section of hair with a diffuser and once done back comb lightly for height and better formation of the style.
• In the front section, defuse dry towards the ears and in the centre, blow-dry straight to create evenness to the face.

The 70’s show
Popularised by Deepika Padukone in Om Shanti Om, this look has the softness yet the glam appeal to lighten up your special day.

Makeup
• Apply the concealer, pancake and translucent powder in same order.
• Clean the brows, apply any matte coloured eye-shadow matching the dress. Apply shimmer eyeliner double the size of the black liner.
• The black eye liner should be applied with the winged effect and mascara. This look is a no kohl look; instead use highlighter of brown colour.
• Let the blush sweep the entire cheek.
• Lastly, use dark and bright colour lipstick for prominence.

Hairdo
• Divide hair in two parts, forehead to E2E and E2E to occipital bone.
• Further divide the E2E to occipital bone section in two halves top and bottom.
• Start tonging the bottom half and make a pony tail with the top half of the hair. Add the roller hair pieces in a flower shape keeping the pony tail hair in the centre of the flower. Tong the pony tail hair also.
• Remember, the E2E and forehead section needs to be parted on the side tonging them and clipping them lightly for effect.
• Add accessories as seen in the picture to add the final dash of glamour.

A traditional twist
This look is a fusion of Arabian nights meets Indian and oozes sensuous appeal to the hilt.

Makeup
• Apply concealer, pancake and translucent powder.
• Clean the brow and add black colour eye shadow to the concave shape of the top eye lid. Smudge it lightly towards the brow area.
• Use heavy mascara followed by kohl in lower lid.
• Smudge it towards both the sides, creating a winged effect.
• Use highlighter from the arch area to the end of the brow.
• Add blush on the cheek bone and temples to create a sharp effect.
• Apply deep lip colour as the Egyptian’s ladies do for lip enhancement.

Hairdo
• Blow-dry your hair. Section your hair from forehead to E2E and E2E to occipital bone.
• Back comb from E2E to occipital bone for a bouffant style effect.
• Make centre parting in the forehead section by lightly back combing it.
• Add accessories like mang tikka for the Indian touch.

Photography by Ram Balmur, Models- Nondini Dhawan, Munira and Sherie Makeup and Hairdo- Maushmi Dhawan, Location-Beautiful Secrets Salon

Ditch that age-old bridal look!

Go different this season and look like a stunning, never-before bride. Here's how you can dramatise your look with unconventional, unexplored accessorising ideas. By Sheetal Anand

Quadruple your glam-quotient with interchangeable jewellery
Interchangeable jewellery is the smart new option. Elucidating this trend is designer Varuna D. Jani from Mumbai with her VOW collection. She says, “Why spend a bomb on elaborate bridal jewellery, which after one wear, remains stacked in a vault. Choose the unconventional, in which the same piece can be reassembled to create a new look each time. This way, you can wear the same jewellery heavy or light, depending on the occasion. ” And best of all, nobody will know you’ve repeated your jewellery which can be such a fashion faux pas otherwise.

Make heads turn with statement neckpieces
Swap traditional gold for a stylish, attention-grabbing neckpiece. Grand, oversized, headline-making statement neckpieces can transform you from plain Jane-to-diva in seconds. Hyderabad-based designer Suhani Pittie says, “Bridal wear, today, needs to be high on the wearable-afterwards quotient. Which is why, it is getting a lot less elaborate. But, no bride wants to compromise on the look. And here’s where statement neckpieces come in. ” Suhani votes for out-of-the-box patterns like knotted silver-wired chains with steel-mesh squares, brooch pins, coral inlaid pieces, mother of pearl and temple designs.

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Look fresh as a flower
Look ethereal and ultra-feminine with fresh flower ornaments made from orchids, jasmines and roses. Wear just flowers or splash them on your gold, diamonds or jadaus. A single fresh flower tied to a ribbon, a circlet of small flowers worn stylishly on the wrist or as a choker made using tightly strung flowers looks amazing. Even as an anklet on your mehndi-laden feet or as a demure hair accessory, flowers surely can multi-task!

Trust tiaras for that regal look
Traditionally Indian brides have always sported the bindis or maangteekas. But, for a change, how about the westernised tiara for the queen- like appeal? Tiaras encrusted with diamonds, pearls and gemstones are hot this wedding season, so try and see if one blends in with your ensemble.

Be hip with hair motifs
For the nuptials, you may have to cover your head with a veil. However, for occasions when this is not mandatory, like an engagement or Sangeet, you can consider wearing an awe-inspiring hairpiece. Large, oversized hair motifs embellished with gemstones, crystals and other imaginative stuff like feathers, beads or coil of chains can magnify your personality and how!

Get classy with clutches
Hold up a chic clutch or even a sling handbag along with your bridal finery. Small sling bags are very in currently. You can request your couturier to create something co-ordinated or just pick up something that’s silk ruffled, satin flowered, furry or crystal covered. They’re all very trendy!

“Especially, stylish clutches, like the brocade-trimmed ones can change the look of an outfit. They can be flaunted with traditional saris as well as with western outfits,” says designer Malini Agarwalla of Malaga, from Mumbai. Reiterating the unconventional theme, Malini stresses that while it’s important for the trousseau to contain classic-forever vintage pieces; other must-haves are funky, non-conforming accessories for semi-formal occasions.

Put your best foot forward
A great bridal ensemble needs fabulous footwear to complete the look. Stilettos, peep-toes, clogs with adornments or mojris, whatever your selection, make sure it’s unique and individualistic. Malini feels, “The whole idea is to enjoy wearing different combinations whilst experimenting with your look and yet be comfortable.”

The possibilities are endless. All you need is the panache to carry something unconventional and the spunk to be a trend-setter, and you’ll be all set to be the cynosure of admiring glances!

Back is the new front

Backs have made a huge comeback, so if yours is shiny and exposable, it is time to venture out in a backless number. Shruti Kothari tells you how and what to sport this season.

In the early twentieth century, Clara Bow wore one that took a deep plunge nearly to the buttocks. More recently, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Aishwarya Rai have flaunted their backs in stunning backless gowns, with the required poise it demands.

Well, backless ensembles have always been on the fashion radar but this time they are definitely making more noise. While designers are constructing godly creations for those who sashay down the red carpet, the fashionstas off the red carpet have also taken a liking to this trend. So make sure you’re not left behind.

Getting the back basics right
It needs to be remembered that a backless dress is not something you simply put on. It demands a special occasion and must be worn only by those who have a clean and curvy back, else it can look disastrous.

Noted fashion designer Nivedita Saboo of Neo couture brand who is known for her backless numbers says, “I’ve always been a great supporter of backs and the detailing involved. But the important point to be kept in mind while going in for an interesting back is the fit of the dress and the amount of attention that you want to attract to the back.” So once you get the basics right, you can decide how far you want to venture.

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Testing the backless waters
If you’re a tad uneasy about diving straight in, a backless garment that shows off a little bit of the back is good enough. Approximately three to four inches of back display is just right. For those who are warmed up, a backless dress that shows off from the nape of your neck to mid back is perfect. And backs that dive deep down are the bait for those ready to go to town. “Whether it is a deep plunging neckline, fantastic embroidery, chains connecting the back or a Victorian corseted back, each style has a subtle and a classy sex appeal to it, provided you carry it off confidently,” says Nivedita. So make sure you do so!

The backless design parade
Halter tops, knee length short dresses, sweeping gowns and sexy cholis, all come in stunning backless versions.

“For those looking for something unusual, creative twists to the back are scoop backs and fabric loosely draped at the back. This shows off a fair bit of your back but not all of it. But a style that is often seen on international catwalks is gowns with plummet down backs. This is for those who dare to bare with ample aplomb,” states designer Kamakshi Dayal.

But if you’re looking for a classic style, dresses with fairly conservative fronts without hinting what is behind are just perfect. You can also opt for long, slim cut dresses with short or long sleeves and a sinking back, if you’re tall and willowy.