10 Real Women Share Their #HalfMakeupSelfie With Cosmo

Cosmo got a bunch of beauty moguls to bare their faces and show us the power of make-up...and discuss the politics of it.

Feb 18, 2020
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Is make-up a lie, a betrayal, a show of women’s insecurities? Or is it a choice and creative expression, much like your clothes? Cosmo got a bunch of beauty moguls to bare their faces and show us the power of make-up...and discuss the politics of it.

1. Tshering Yangzom Vlogger and Make-Up Artist.

“Putting on make-up is the most exciting part of my day. It thrills me—I feel like I can unleash my creativity. The same way a new haircut can make you feel good, make-up can do the same. I try different looks each time! Because I have monolids and a round face-shape, I like to enhance both through my make-up and doing so is my own personal choice.”

Maybelline Colossal Liner, 425 Make Up For Ever HD Foundation, 4,000

 

2. Umang Vanshika: Make-Up Artist.

“There are days you need to feel sexy and glamourous—and make-up does that for me perfectly. Since my skin is on the sensitive side, I have hyper-pigmentation, spots and redness. We all have flaws here and there, and taking care of them with make-up can instantly make you feel better. If you look at a painting, you won’t say ‘Oh, too much paint’. I feel the same way about make-up. Both are art, both are beautiful.”

M·A·C Lipstick in Kinda Sexy, 1,800 , Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette Vice 2, 4,000 approx

 

3. Chandni Girdhar Make-Up Artist

“Make-up is a huge part of my life, and I love the fact that my passion has turned into what I do for a living. We, as women, always talk about our features, and make-up helps you feel more confident about them. I feel like I’m blessed with sharp features, and I love to enhance them even more via make-up. Plus, everyone gives me compliments, so that really helps.”

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer, 1,500 approx, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation, 3,400

 

4. Santoshi Shetty Blogger.

“I’m a fan of the ‘no-make-up’ look—foundation, concealer, mascara, and a nude lipstick. I always go for a bit of contouring; it makes my ‘blunt nose’ look sharper, which makes me feel good. I believe we shouldn’t care if people call us ‘fake’ or ‘not natural’, it’s you who needs to feel comfortable with make-up (or without). Make-up can be fun, and it also has the power to make you feel incredibly fierce.”

The Body Shop Brush On Bronze, 1,295, L’Oréal Paris True Match BB Cream, 550

 

5. Tejasvini Chander Make-Up Artist.

“A lot of people say ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without make-up. Maybe you should show us how you look without it for once.’ I just don’t get it—I don’t leave the house without brushing my teeth and in the same vein, make-up is a part of my routine and how I function in my everyday life.”

Lorac Pro Matte Lip Colour in Fuchsia, 1,190 approx, Red Cherry Lashes, 1,256

 

6. Reema Patil Make-Up Artist.

“I don’t always go out dolled up, even if I am a make-up artist. But I’m definitely a make-up fanatic! Contouring is my friend: I have a wide nose, and a lot of girls in school even made fun of how big it was. Now, thanks to the miracle of make-up, people compliment my big eyes and lips—but they hardly ever say anything about my perfectly-contoured nose!”

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour, 4,300, Huda Beauty Giselle Lashes, 1,190 approx

 

7. Naina Ruhail Blogger

When the #halfmakeupselfie went viral, I thought it was the best way to shut down make-up shamers once and for all. Make-up is a personal choice. I’m comfortable in my own skin, and make-up is something I do solely for myself!”

 

Inglot Bronzing Powder, 1,100, M·A·C Lipstick in Ruby Woo, 1,800

 

 

8. Chandini Singh Make-up Artist.

“I believe make-up, done right, can do wonders—all you need to do is learn how to enhance your features, without just adding extra layers. I apply make-up everyday: it adds that ‘X factor’ and makes me ooze confidence. Make-up is definitely a game-changer for every girl—it makes you feel good, like good eye make-up makes you look (and feel) pretty powerful, and everyone looks at your eyes while talking. I definitely believe less is more but I truly love make-up (and not going OTT with it)!”

 

Benefit Brow Zings, 2,300, Lancôme Advanced Génefique, 6,000, M·A·C Studio Finish Skin Corrector in Pure Orange, 1,300

 

9. Nilu Yuleena Thapa Blogger.

"I deal with pigmentation, and make-up is how I conceal it. Earlier, I wouldn’t let anyone see me without make-up; all I was looking for was acceptance, and blogging helped me find that. I wrote about my skin issues and gathered more courage that way! So you’ll still see me with make-up, but sometimes, I do go without it too, like when I’m Snapchatting with my followers.”

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Foundation, 1,320, Sephora Volume Mascara, `1,340

 

10. Juhi Godambe Blogger.

“Looking good and feeling good about yourself is really important to me (to anyone, actually). My skin began breaking out last year, and it made me conscious, especially when I had to attend meetings. That’s when I started experimenting with make-up to help conceal the acne, and it made me feel significantly better about myself. It’s what helped me perform better at work as well!”

Bharat & Dorris Liquid Foundation, nykaa.com, 700, Tom Ford Sheer Lip Colour in Paradiso, nordstrom.com, 3,721

 

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