Raindrops on your face

Monsoons are here and with it the time when mascaras draw Halloween lines on the face and the compact washes away with the rain drops. And that invite to the rain dance can be the nemesis for a well made up look. But help is at hand as experts share some how-to-get-the-monsoon-look-right gyan.

Keep it sheer

Since the weather during the rainy season is humid and all through the day, the rate of perspiration goes up too. Dense makeup only makes things worse on sweaty skin. To avoid smudgy disasters, keep your makeup light and sheer. Also, pick up oil based cosmetics that are water resistant.

"During the monsoon, the focus should be on improving the texture of the skin so that despite minimal makeup, you still look charming!" advises Bangalore-based makeup specialist, Dina Francis.

Go for the compact

What you certainly need to avoid during the rainy season are cosmetics that are water based. It's also a good idea to keep away your foundation for the winters and use compact powder instead. If you can't avoid it, use waterproof foundation. You also need to avoid using pressed powders or use it very sparingly as it can form patches on the skin due to too much humidity.

Water-resistant makeup

Make sure your eyeliner is water resistant and do not use too much mascara or kohl. Avoid glossy stuff and use eye shadows with a matte finish. During the monsoons, get your eyebrows threaded more often and keep them well groomed since you can't possibly use eyebrow pencil during the rains.

Instead, use hair gel and a brow brush to make your eyebrows look well shaped always. Non transferable lipsticks are a must during the monsoons, to prevent smudging. Lipstick smudges can be really messy and difficult to fix in a hurry.

Colour palette this season

Instead of a bold, painted dramatic look, the focus this season is on lighter, subtler shades in makeup. Says Fery Farid, noted hair stylist and makeup specialist from Hyderabad, "peach, coral and bronze are hot makeup hues these days and a look based on either of these shades will go well this season."

Eye shadows in pastel shades like beige, pale pink and cream will look elegant yet contemporary. If you must use blush, keep it subtle and blend it well.

Pink and very light brown are good options. Go in for shades of brown in lipsticks too and yes, in matte finish instead of shimmer. Use them along with sheer gloss so the lipstick will stay on for longer.

Stick this up on your dresser all through the monsoon!

At least 15 minutes before you start your makeup, wash and cleanse your face thoroughly and rub an ice cube. This will cut down on the sweat factor and your makeup will stay longer. After the ice treatment, wash your face with astringent if you have dry skin or use toner for oily skin types.

Use water based moisturisers during the rainy season to keep your skin soft and also to avoid acne and oily skin due to excess perspiration.

Keep a small makeup kit handy so that you can fix your makeup when you go out and it begins to rain suddenly.

Avoid shimmer altogether during the monsoons.