Sushmita Sen's Beauty Secrets [Vogue India]

As an actress, my skin is exposed for long hours to damage from heavy make-up, lights, pollution and UV rays which have a long-term detrimental effect on skin. My advice is to drink a lot of water, get enough sleep, use sun protection and wear products that enhance your looks but don't cover up your natural beauty. Use Besan Ka Aata (Gram flour) with malai (clotted cream) as a scrub to soften and cleanse the skin. And a concoction of neem (azadirachta indica) and honey to drink; it's not as bad as it sounds! An in-flight ritual I have is that, I make sure I take off all my make-up. If I've been shooting outdoors in too much mud and dust, I oil my hair before boarding.

Vogue India Beauty Page [May 2010]

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Make-up Trend: Sultry Smoky Eyes

Looking casual, yet chic on this month's issue of Vogue India is none other than Deepika Padukone. MAC's Mickey Contractor focused on a smudged, smoky kohl eye, "We aimed for a not-so-perfect look, a little messy." To get her look, line your upper and lower lashes with a creamy black pencil. Apply dark charcoal powder shadow on your lids. Add a shimmery ivory shadow in your inner corners and brow bone. Mickey contrasted that with a nude lip and gives us a key tip to achieve this look, "Use concealer with lipgloss for the perfect nude lip which is huge this season."

Rec: SEPHORA Collection Smoky Eyes Palette

Make-up Trend: Healthy Skin

In a gorgeous and colorful kurti at a promotional event for her latest movie Housefull, Lara Dutta made a statement with flawless and nourished looking skin. To get your skin looking like her, start your make-up routine with an antioxidant rich moisturizer, neutral liquid foundation and a touch of loose powder.  After the powder sets the foundation, dusted bronzing powder on your cheeks, chin and forehead. A swipe of light coral blush applied finishes the look.


Rec: Philosophy Hope In A Jar

Make-up Trend: Lush Lashes

A full strip of false lashes can feel drag quuen-ish, but not if you pull it off as artfully as Preity Zinta at the IPL Awards. Things to keep in mind: first off, before applying, be sure to trim the lashes to fit the length of your lid. And secondly, keep the rest of your eye makeup subtle—a stripe of liquid liner and a wash of neutral shadow is all the extra pop you'll need.

Rec: Ardell Fashion Lashes Strip Lashes in 110 Black

Make-up Trend: Subtle Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid liner doesn't have to look vampy, especially if you apply it as artfully as Sushmita Sen did at the launch of the Charcoal Exhibition by Gautam Patole. Rather than using the tip of the brush, draw the side along your upper lashline. You'll create a broader, steadier line, which means tiny imperfections won't be as visible. Top with a wash of sheer pink shadow to set the line and tone it down.

Rec: Lancome ARTLINER - Precision Point EyeLiner in Noir

Hair Trend: Curled Ponytails

Known for her statuesque body, Sameera Reddy inspires a new wave with her hair, with a sleek, coiled ponytail on the cover of Jade Magazine. To get her look, start with completely smooth, straight hair, and pull hair back into a low ponytail. Curl the your ponytail with taking hair farthest away from your face into two-inch sections. Use a one-inch barrel curling iron. To prevent locks from going limp, wait five minutes before touching each tendril released from the iron.

Rec: T3 Bespoke Labs Twirl Professional Ceramic Ionic Curling Iron