Cosmo Beauty Expert Answers the Beauty Questions We All Want to Ask

Q. I hate sunscreens—they leave my skin sticky, but I obviously can’t leave home without it. Is there any alternative?

A: Yes, of course! You can use make-up that comes with SPF—however, foundations don’t usually come with a high level of SPF that can protect skin from getting damaged. If you don’t like how sunscreen feels on your skin, try layering it with a compact (one which has SPF is an added bonus). Pat on one 15 minutes after you’ve applied sunscreen—by that time the sunscreen will get absorbed into the skin and the compact will help you get rid of the excess oil from the face.

 

Q. Is there a striking summer make-up trend that’s also easy to cop?

A: SS19’s pop eyeliner is super-easy to create. You can use any kind of eyeliner for the same—gel, liquid, or pencil—depending on what you like and are comfortable with. But if you don’t have a steady hand, pencils are easy to use. A few things to keep in mind when going for bright, bold eyes are a) always use a lid primer, it helps the product glide on better and last longer; and b) keep the rest of the look minimal—never team bold eyes and lips together! As for the shape, there are no set rules anymore. You can go for cat eyeliner, graphic, abstract—the beauty world is your oyster.

Q. Summer season = acne. What can I do to avoid zits? 

A: Cleansing your face is really important. Use an anti-acne cleanser—one which is formulated with specialised ingredients to clean up the nasties on your skin and keep ’em pimples at bay. This one by Kama Ayurveda has neem and tea tree, both of which are proven to combat acne. And if you get a one-off zit during the season, use a spot corrector—it works wonders on stubborn zits, and doesn’t dry up the whole face.

Q. I’m dying to go blonde, but I’m not sure about the post-colour care. Help.

A: Platinum blonde hair look amazing, but is a B! to maintain. You’d definitely need a special haircare routine to take care of not just the colour, but also your strands that will be more vulnerable to damage. Try Kérastase’s new Blond Absolu range, which provides deep ultraviolet care for bleached hair—it hydrates sensitised hair, protects it from oxidation, and neutralises brassiness and boosts colour luminosity for bright shiny blonde hair.