Text credits: Lakshmi Priya

Transgender makeup artists are the new trendsetters and the women in Kerala are just awe-struck seeing their extraordinary works. They are creating magic on celebrities, models, and brides of Kerala. It is a radical change from the past when things were different. There was a time in Kerala when transgenders were treated as outcasts and judged because of various misconceptions. But now things are changing and transgenders are treading a better path in the mainstream society. Here is a list of makeup artists from Kerala who are changing the makeup scene in the state, turning out to be an inspiration for others like them.

Renju Renjimar

Image source: renjurenjimar.com

Renju Renjimar is the first transgender celebrity and bridal makeup artist in Kerala who adorned the beautiful faces of South Indian actresses, models, and brides with her bewitching ability. She has worked with popular celebrities such as Bhavana, Priyamani, Asin, Tamannah, Amala Paul and many more. Renju has also stepped into the Bollywood industry by doing a makeover for the actress Madhubala.

Born and brought up in Kollam, Renju began her career as a makeup artist by learning the art on her own and has now successfully completed 22 years in the makeup industry. The break in her career came when she assisted Ambika Pillai at Wills India Fashion Week. Renju is known for her eye makeup which stands out on the beautiful faces she that she decks up. Her bridal makeup for the business tycoon Ravi Pillai’s daughter Arathi and the recent work with actress Bhavana for her wedding received great attention from people.

Image source: renjurenjimar.com

Jaanmoni Das

Image source: facebook.com (@jaan moni das)

An Assamese by birth but a Malayali by heart. Even though Jaanmoni is not from Kerala, her works are admired by most of the Keralites. She landed in Kerala as part of the shooting of an Assamese film and ended up being the most sought-after makeup artist in Kerala. She has been living in Kochi for the last seven years. Jaanmoni has worked with celebrities such as Manju Warrier, Amala Paul, Ranjini Haridas, Nazriya Nazim and many more. Her initial interest was in dance which eventually developed her taste into makeup. Jaanmoni has also worked in a number of Malayalam movies like Ennum Eppozhum, Kalimannu. 

Image source: facebook.com (@jaan moni das)

Avinash S Chetia

Image source: facebook.com (@avinash.schetia)

Like Jaanmoni, Avinash also hails from Assam and had played a major role in changing the makeup scene in Kerala. Avinash was working as a makeup artist in Assamese and Bengali movies when she received the invitation to Kerala from Jaanmoni and actress Amala Paul. Her debut in Kerala was the film Run Baby Run in which she did makeup on Amala. Her bridal makeup for Nazriya was also a huge hit. Avinash has worked as a makeup artist in more than 50 films like How old are you?, Oru Indian Pranayakatha, King Liar.

Image source: facebook.com (@avinash.schetia)

Vineeth Seema

Image source: facebook.com (@vineeth seema)

Vineeth Seema has already become the most favourite and requested bridal make-up artist in Kerala. She owns a bridal makeover studio at Thiruvananthapuram. Vineeth first appeared in a comedy show in a Malayalam channel. Even though her initial interest was in acting, Vineeth has now turned out to be a talented makeup artist. She has not only beautified the faces of brides from Kerala but also from cities like Chennai and Bangalore.

Image source: facebook.com (@vineeth seema)

The post Transgenders Who Are Conquering The Makeup Industry In Kerala appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

How do you get ready for a wedding? We’re not talking about fitting into a suit or accessorizing it with pocket flowers and cuff links; but something more like the concealer, foundation, cleansers, toners….. Or even if you do, how many of you get confused as to what comes first– eye makeup or foundation, eyeliner or mascara? Worry not. We have makeup artist Renju Renjimar guiding you, in very easy steps of how you can put your best foot forward while getting ready for someone’s wedding.

Be a Great Wedding Guest

• Start your grooming at least two hours prior to the event. First of all, go in for a perfect shave as makeup and beard is not a great amalgam.
• Go on for a cleansing and toning session using Body Shop’s cleanser and toner. Apply the cleanser, leave it for three minutes and then wipe it off using a damp cotton swab. Apply the toner which helps to restore the skin to its natural pH level and remove any remaining dirt or dry skin cells.
• Proceed to use a moisturizer (Bobbi Brown or L’Oreal) to make sure that your skin won’t dry up. Gently massage it on your face in upward motion till it blends with the skin. Leave it for 5 minutes and then move on with the foundation bit.
• If you’ve blemishes or under eye circles, hide them using a concealer. I would suggest you go for a ‘Derma concealer’ that has numerous shades matching to each one’s skin colour.  Use the one which is one shade lighter than your skin tint. Apply it with your forefinger under your lower lashes and between the inner corner of your eyes or elsewhere required. Use fingers to rub it in and pat it over every area till its visibly absorbed.
• Now apply the foundation. Use a branded foundation preferably from Bobbi Brown, Dolce & Gabbana, L’Oreal or Lakme Creamy mousse. Make four dots on your face using the foundation; on both sides of the cheek, on the chin and forehead and blend it thoroughly.

It is better for a guy not to wear a compact or to use a guy-liner, as over makeup can add femininity to the face.

Concealer Buying Tip

While bagging a concealer, test it on your wrist and see which color covers your skin in the most natural way.

Choosing the Foundation

Those with a dry skin must opt for a liquid foundation, normal skinned for a creamy foundation and the oily skinned must pick a sticky foundation. Follow it as this is the kind of makeup that suits your skin type.

Hiding the Lines and Wrinkles

As areas around the lips, eye and mouth are the most elastic spots of our face, once you sweat there are chances for the foundation to run down in layers getting settled into creases and wrinkles. And instead of hiding the imperfections on your skin, this makes it more vivid. So to prevent the makeup from getting accumulated on the wrinkles, use a skin tightening makeup gel after washing your face with a face wash and before applying the concealer and the foundation.

Must Do’s for the Month

• Head massage/Hair spa
• Facial/Clean up
• Pedicure and manicure
• Hair trimming

Reader’s Concerns:

1)    I have this unruly, unmanageable hair and I always find it difficult to maintain it. Some say that using a hair gel or hair spray in the long run can affect the texture of my hair. What can I do about it?

Use a hair gel (L’Oreal/Chamber) by adding few drops of water to it. Blend it using your palms and apply it thoroughly on your hair and style it the way you want. And always make sure to wash it off before hitting the bed.

 2)   How to choose coloured lenses matching with ones skin shade?

For the light skinned, any colour would suit them the best. The whitish can pick shades in brown and those on the darker side can opt for colours like dark brown, hazelnut.

3)   I have an oily skin and so soon after applying makeup, the oil washes all of it in patches. Is there any solution to get rid of the oil secretion?

 Before applying makeup, wiping your face with lemon juice and leaving it for 5 minutes and then washing off can be a help to some extend from melting down your makeup.

The post Hands that launched a thousand faces appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.