Beauty
Catching Up With Makeup & Body Painting Artist Meghna Butani
From Bollywood glamour to elaborate body painting works, FWD catches up with makeup artist Meghna Butani on celebrating the human form, self expression and defying popular trends
Text: Fathima AbdulKader Photos: Meghna Butani
By making use of the human body as a medium, makeup artists help bring abstract thoughts to life. From henna tattoos to tribal body art, painting one’s body in a myriad of colors have served the purpose of celebrating the beauty of the human form since time immemorial. Everyday makeup often serves the same purpose that body painting does – a way of expressing oneself and of preparing oneself for the world outside. FWD caught up with makeup artist Meghna Butani whose work ranges from everyday makeup looks to bridal looks, celebrity and editorial looks to extensive body painting projects. She has worked with celebrities such as Tabu, Bipasha Basu, Malaika Arora Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and more. A recently released jewelry advertisement that garnered a lot of attention was done by her and was the first neon body paint campaign in India.
From regular makeup to body painting, when did you decide to expand on your artistry and play with the human body as a canvas?
Well, I have been doing makeup on faces for 14 years now and I really felt like I need to expand my knowledge of makeup. So I wanted to expand my knowledge and use that medium to the maximum and learn to use it on the body if I needed to. There are not many people who know about body painting in India except for one or two.
Do you have a piece of work you feel is your favorite or the best you’ve done?
A body painting project takes 7-8 hours usually and there are quite a few works that I am truly proud of. One of my all time favorites is my Shiva animation character body painting project. This work was done when I was doing my body painting course and our theme was to depict a comic book hero or any famous character in 2D on human skin. The idea was to make the character look more like graphic animation than realistic. A number of my fellow students chose to do superheroes like Wonder Woman or Batman. I chose Lord Shiva and that choice itself ensured that my look was different. Another work that I am truly proud of is the neon body painted advertisement campaign for TBZ’s Shaze brand. I kept seeing hoarding of it all over Mumbai.
Could you describe your work flow? What is a typical day like when you are working?
Body painting and neon projects are few and far between,so I usually have to do my own experimental shoots to keep my creative side satisfied. On a regular basis, I work with celebrity clients. The night before any work is spent washing my brushes and cleaning and sterilizing my kit. When I am working with celebrity clients, I usually get to the studio before the artist to set things up. Once the artist sits in my chair I start with hair and makeup which takes around 2 hours post that the shoot starts and we have no idea when we will finish but on a good day it’s 8 hours and sometimes 12-15 hours.
How do you think people can bring in their personality into their daily makeup look?
One can bring in their personality into their daily makeup look by not blindly following trends and doing what works for you. Many people try to blindly copy celebrity looks, but that is never a good idea.
Beauty
Step by step Skin Prep for All Bride To Be
Congratulations, bride-to-be! As you prepare for your big day, glowing skin is undoubtedly at the top of your wish list. Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment, and feeling confident in your own skin is essential. To help you achieve that coveted bridal glow, we’ve curated a comprehensive step-by-step skin prep guide just for you.
Start Early with a Consistent Skincare Routine
Begin your bridal skincare journey well in advance to allow your skin ample time to adjust and improve. Establish a daily skincare routine tailored to your skin type and concerns. This should include cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sunscreen application. Consider incorporating serums or treatments targeting specific issues such as acne, hyperpigmentation, or dryness.
Address Specific Skin Concerns
Identify any specific skin concerns you want to address before your wedding day. Whether it’s acne breakouts, uneven skin tone, or dullness, consult with a dermatologist or esthetician to develop a targeted treatment plan. This may involve professional facials, chemical peels, or laser treatments to enhance your skin’s appearance and texture.
Hydration is Key
Hydrated skin is happy skin, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain optimal hydration levels. Additionally, incorporate hydrating skincare products such as hyaluronic acid serums or moisturizing masks to replenish moisture and plump up your skin.
Exfoliate Regularly
Regular exfoliation is essential for sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. Choose a gentle exfoliator suitable for your skin type and use it 2-3 times a week to reveal fresh, glowing skin underneath.
Don’t Forget About Your Lips
Soft, smooth lips are a must-have for any bride. Incorporate a lip scrub into your skincare routine to buff away dry, flaky skin, followed by a nourishing lip balm to keep your lips hydrated and kissable soft.
Prioritize Stress Management and Self-Care
Wedding planning can be stressful, but don’t let it take a toll on your skin. Practice stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to keep your mind and body in balance. Remember to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.
Get Sufficient Beauty Sleep
Quality sleep is crucial for healthy, radiant skin. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to allow your skin to repair and regenerate. Invest in a silk pillowcase to minimize friction and prevent creases and wrinkles while you sleep.
By following this step-by-step skin prep guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a radiant bridal glow that will leave you feeling confident and beautiful on your wedding day. Remember to start early, be consistent with your skincare routine, and prioritize self-care throughout the process. With a little dedication and effort, you’ll be glowing from the inside out as you walk down the aisle to say “I do.”
Beauty
Kiara Advani’s Soft Glam Makeup Look
Kiara Advani is proof that a look may be beautiful without always requiring intense contouring and layers of makeup. The actor from Satyaprem ki Katha has a natural, luminous, and unquestionably head-turning approach to soft makeup that is worth emulating. Lekha Gupta, her makeup artist, created the ideal mix between a clean, glowing complexion and a subtle brown smoky eye. Whether it’s for her big day or multiple red carpet appearances, the actor has a reputation for doing minimalist makeup flawlessly.
Kiara Advani, wearing a body-hugging pink gown by Tran Hung, was spotted having a pink moment that was enhanced by her bold beauty appearance. Her face was defined by the delicately bronzed cheeks, her glossy nude lips completed the ensemble, and her gently smudged out makeup accentuated the shape of her eyes.
Lekha Gupta, the makeup artist, accentuated Advani’s eyes by using mascara to lend drama to the lashes. She gave Advani’s skin a dewy base and then defined the cheekbones with a warm, peachy bronzer. Her lips were covered in a glossy lip gloss that complemented the brightness of her pink costume, and her brows were nicely shaped and filled in. In terms of hair, the actor sported a glossy, blow-dried mane that had a contemporary centre part to complete the symmetry of the ensemble.
Beauty
The IT Girl Hair Colour for 2024
January is over halfway through, so now is the ideal time to schedule a hair appointment and treat yourself to a much-needed makeover. It’s time to give your desire for a fresh appearance some action, starting with a chic hair colour makeover. Your distinctive personality is reflected in your mane of hair, which changes colour and shape to mirror the range of emotions you experience during your life. Thus, wear your hair the way you prefer it since, in 2024, it will make a statement and the revolution will be colourful, daring, and wholly original! Are you looking for new and inspiring ideas? Fear not—we’ve got you covered.
In contrast to 2023, which focused mostly on adding warmth to varied hues, 2024 will be all about subtly updating those in-vogue colors that are already well-known to us. We’re still living in the past and trying to figure out how to style those early aughts beauty trends in a more contemporary manner. Additionally, we’ll keep seeing fresh takes on red hair, which this year proved to be the “it” colour. There’s a shade of red that works for everyone, whether you want to use lowlights to draw attention to certain areas or not.
Red hair was trendy in 2023, as seen on Emily Ratajkowski, Dua Lipa, Megan Fox, and many more of our favorite celebrities. Red hair can be really entertaining, depending on your skin tone and eye colour. You can choose between a bold red like Lipa and a more subdued, natural auburn like Meghan Fahy. Whichever shade of red suits you best, aftercare is crucial. Use a shampoo and conditioner with Color Care to prevent color fading.
Rich bordeaux, a gorgeous blend of brown oak and burgundy-red, is the ideal option for giving dark hair a dash of refinement and coziness. It appears that this is the color of the season for everyone from Dua Lipa to Ira Khan.
Copper, a color that isn’t typically considered red. A shiny, intensely contrasting auburn that strikes a balance between deep red and brown could be the hairstyle of 2024. This tint has great appeal for both Bella Thorne and Kendall Jenner, she declared herself a certified redhead when she wore it.
There will be more to red hair than a fashion statement in 2024. Since red is the undisputed color for IT girls in 2024, there is a red for every girl out there, regardless of shade.
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