Salonaz Sami sounds out expert opinion on what's hot in make-up this summer To many women, make-up and cosmetics in general are a top priority and one that is just as important as shoes, which are very important by the way. Although applying make- up is a daily ritual for many women, a natural look is not always easy to achieve. Using the right products and the right techniques is the key. According to famous make-up artist Howaida Nassar, the latest make-up technique in Egypt, airbrush make-up, can achieve that priceless look. Using a method similar to that used in traditional painting, make-up is blown onto the face, and entire body if desired, resulting in an undeniably flawless result. "It's like giving yourself a facial steaming. The make-up is blown through an airbrush onto the skin in an even way, exactly the same way as steam," Nassar explained. What makes airbrush make-up such a hit is that it covers up flaws in the skin, and it also lasts longer and allows you to wear heavy make-up without looking as if you are. However, even more importantly airbrush make-up solves the problem of open pores because airbrushing allows the foundation to thoroughly fill any wide pores evenly until they disappear. Applying foundation with an airbrush allows a very fine mist to lay lightly on the surface of the skin in the form of microdots that allow the skin to breath. Plus, this technique allows you to control how much or how little make-up goes onto your face. It can completely cover any blemishes, freckles, scars and dark circles under the eyes, with a smooth, even finish that can last for up to 18 hours. "Another unique aspect of airbrushing," Nassar says, "is that you can customise your own foundation." In the summer, for example, when your complexion gets darker, you can add a drop of a lighter shade to the colour and blend till you get the shade you want. As if all this were not enough, airbrush make-up is completely hygienic, since it goes from the bottle straight to the airbrush and is sprayed directly onto the face. The technique first became popular in the 1950s when the US film studio MGM used it to paint hundreds of extras in the film Ben Hur. Today, however, it is used for presenters appearing on high-definition television (HDTV), which requires additional make-up because of the clarity of the image. Traditional make-up can leave grease marks or show caking and streaks on HDTV, whereas airbrushed make-up doesn't. Having said all that, the only real difficulty with the technique is that it is relatively difficult to use, and is certainly more challenging than ordinary make-up if you are not a professional. However, practice can make perfect. While airbrushing is the latest in make-up techniques, bronze is the latest in colours for the spring and summer of 2010. "Because skin in the summer normally gets tanned and glows," explained Nassar, "bronze is the best colour for those two seasons, as it works on enhancing and magnifying that natural glow." Fake tans are also in as far as skin is concerned, but don't overdo it. Less is always more. The best feature of tanned skin is that it allows you to go light on the make-up. A pink lip gloss and mascara, and you are ready to go. Spring and summer are also all about shimmer, and "not about matt make-up," says Nassar. "Dark and warm colours, like red and burgundy, are usually associated with winter rather than summer," she says, so when summer comes round opt instead for gold, rose, orange and beige to give "shimmer". Red is a colour to be seen in this summer, Nassar says, especially for evening and night make-up. According to stylist Jihan Murad, this summer will be seeing a lot of what professionals call the "effortless look", which is a look that "is not about a lot of make-up but rather about a lot of impact. An effortless look is a cool, simple, yet strong look," Murad said. Nassar agrees, adding that an effortless look is very much the look to aim for this summer, especially for brides to be. "To attain this effect, we focus on one element in the face, be it a strong eye or a bright lip," Nassar explains. Alternatively, "simply pick your best feature and play it up," adds Murad. If you want to wear red lipstick, go for a light eye make-up, and if you are going for dark smoky eyes, opt for light natural lip gloss. Regarding eyebrows, Nassar explains that "flying brows" are the latest look. "These are eyebrows that are not curved or arched, but rather have a higher 'flying' end," she said. "This shape has the advantage of opening the eyes up from the corners." The same applies to eyeliner, which "should be left open at the ends, adding an instantly younger, happier, more carefree look." According to Nassar, make-up experts agree that longer and curvier eyebrows give a sadder look than short flying ones. However, taking proper care of the skin is always the first step towards better looks. "Always drink a lot of water and use natural products," Nassar advises. Dry exfoliation, using a natural bristle brush, can be done in the morning, Murad adds, before showering, "eliminating dead skin cells and allowing the skin to breath." Exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation. Finally, always remember the old saying that we are what we eat. If you have a healthy diet, with a lot of water and fibre in it, you should have healthier-looking skin.
