How to: Use make-up like a pro

If a trip to Ananda in the Himalayas doesn’t sit comfortably inside your credit card limit, here's something that will. The luxury spa destination has launched their range of decadent natural skin and body care products, available on their online store. There are moisturisers, masks, cleansers and toners for the face; and scrubs, lotions and massage oils for the body. The products contain pure essential oils of orange, rose, sandalwood and vetiver, apart from the usual do-gooders like aloe, sea salt and vitamins. We’re ditching our Friday night date for a nice long indulgent bath.

store.anandaspa.com

EVEN OUT YOUR HAIRLINE

We can’t all hope to have Kate Middleton’s perfect hairline. But we do have the secret to camouflaging monkey hair that refuses to grow out or side-head root gaps.

1. Choose a matte eyeshadow that matches your hair colour (if you have a black mane, stick to a chocolate shade instead; black eyeshadow can be stark).

2. Cover areas on your scalp that you’d like to camouflage, with a moisturising serum. Ensure it’s not a very sticky formulation.

3. Next, brush shadow on to the scalp in upward strokes while the serum is a bit gummy, and then blend really well. Soften the edges. And you’re done!

GET TOUGH NAILS

We’ve all been there; brittle, chipped nails that send us running to the salon for a manicure. It’s time to take caring for your fingertips into your own hands.

Peeling nails

The worst of nail nightmares, they’re impossible to grow out, so your only option is to trim. Even lacquer chips faster due to the uneven texture.

Solution: Steer as far away from gel polishes as you can (we know, we love them too). Giving your tips a break from them for a while will help strengthen otherwise filed-down nails. Also skip buffing for that extra sheen; instead opt for strengthening polishes like China Glaze Calcium Gel Fortifier, Rs 500.

Brittle nails

Who would’ve thought hydration could actually become a problem? If your hands are frequently immersed in water, or if you’re in the habit of biting them, you could end up causing the nail beds to absorb water, expanding in the process and then contracting as the moisture evaporates.

Solution: Hand creams and cuticle-care products should travel with you at all times. Products with humectants (moisture-laden) like glycerine and occlusives like Dimethicone, help retain the moisture level that prevents nails from going dry and chipping. Try Crabtree & Evelyn Avocado, Olive & Basil Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy, Rs 1,295, and Inglot Cuticle Oil, Rs 600.

Photographs: Farrokh Chothia