IS it possible to have day-long, fuss-free makeup? SYIDA LIZTA AMIRUL IHSAN investigates so women can look good this festive season.

I love Hari Raya... the hustle and bustle of the day as we make drinks, reheat rendang and slice lemang for guests and family.
But it can get hot and sweaty - which explains why, during Hari Raya, many of us choose not to wear makeup because the last thing you need is your foundation running down your cheeks while you are serving your brother's friends laksa.
But Artistry makeup artist Christel Kritsanaee, who has worked with Gucci, Guerlain and Anna Sui, says you don't have to go bare just because of the weather.
"It's a celebration. You should look your best. You should be beautiful and spare a few minutes for makeup in the morning. Don't worry, makeup can last," she says.
Christel has three simple and easy looks which you can try this Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. "They shouldn't take more than 15 minutes to do."

THE MINIMAL LOOK
- The eyes: Christel applies powder eyeshadow in Shell on Nurlela Bakar's eyelids and on top of it, Dual Eye and Cheek Powder in Caprice.
"I'm using minimal colour for a natural look."
She then lines Nurlela's eyes with pencil liner in Noir. "Eyes are round, not straight, so use small strokes, not a straight line, from the inside moving out."
For the undereye, line only one-third of the lid, starting from the outer side. Then, smudge it gently with a cotton bud.
For mascara, bend your wand (Christel promises it won't break!) and wiggle it from under and out of your lashes.
"It's twice as fast and gives twice as good results."
- The cheeks: Use Caprice to colour the apple of the cheek for a hint of blush.
- The lips: Use Lip Sheen in Splendor and seal the colour with clear gloss. Apply only a thin layer of gloss, otherwise it looks gooey. "Under normal use (including eating, talking and drinking), it can last up to four hours."
- Nurlela's verdict: "I like it a lot. I don't usually use makeup, but this is very nice. I look made-up but not old."

THE DAY-TO-NIGHT LOOK
- The eyes: On S. Kamales, Christel uses a light-coloured base.
"If you have dark skin, light colours look fabulous. Darker colours can be easily overshadowed by dark skin."
She then uses Dual Eye and Cheek Powder in Caprice under the eyebrow.
With powder eyeshadow in Mood - a shade of blue - Christel applies it above the lid and blends it, again with Dual Eye and Cheek Powder in Caprice, "so the blue isn't too striking".
She uses pencil eyeliner in black and a blue eyeliner on top of it. "Using only blue eyeliner will be too pale for her."
Then she swipes Kamales' lashes with Waterproof Mascara in black.
- The cheeks: Christel uses Powder Blush in Patience for contour and Dual Eye and Cheek Powder in Caprice to highlight her cheekbones.
- The lips: She uses Lip Define Liner in Downtown to line and stain lips before coating with Lip Sheen in Panache. "It's not easy to find a colour for dark lips but this one works very well." She finishes off with clear gloss.
- Kamales' verdict: "I have never seen myself like this. I find it a little dramatic, but I will wear this look if I'm going out on Deepavali."

THE DRAMATIC LOOK
- The eyes: Christel uses powder eyeshadow in Gold Shimmer on Nurul Hanida Hassan's eyelids, followed by a green shade called Pistache under the brow bone and right above the lid.
With Brow Define Liner in Deep Brown, Christel shapes Nurul Hanida's eyebrows. Since the look is dramatic, Christel uses liquid Control Eyeliner.
"I want to jazz up her look."
Once the liner is dry, she tops with black pencil eyeliner so the colour comes out bolder.
Christel applies black mascara from under and out the lashes.
- The cheeks: Antique Rose Powder Blush, a pink-brownish colour, helps define Nurul Hanida's cheekbones.
- The lips: She applies Perfect Moisture Lip Colour in Rose Glisten before sealing it with lip gloss, which is part of the Lip Sheen.
"When you apply lipstick, smile widely. You get better colour coverage." A little bit of Dual Eye and Cheek Powder in Caprice help the colours stay.
- Nurul Hanida's verdict: "I love it. I look different! This will be great for my Hari Raya look. I think I will surprise many people looking like this."
 
Good skincare a must
 
ARTISTRY makeup artiste Christel Kritsanaee shares some tips on long-wearing makeup:

1. Always start with great skincare. No point putting on makeup if your skin isn't well cared for. Make sure you buy skincare products suited to your skin type.
2. As you age, your skin type may change. If products don't work, it's time to re-analyse your skin. Always moisturise.
3. Now that your skin has been looked into, you can start on makeup. The right foundation is crucial. In the hot and humid weather, Artistry Absolute Oil Control Foundation helps face stay matte. Also, use foundation on areas you need to only. We want to even skin tone, not create a new one.
4. Set foundation with loose powder. Most women in Malaysia do not use loose powder. That's wrong because if you apply a creamy product on the skin, it moves. Powder sets it so it stays there. If you set your foundation in the morning, you don't need so many touch-ups.
5. When you go out at night, use compact foundation such as Artistry Flawless Coverage Powder. Your face will look smooth and flawless.
6. Use Artistry Concealer Pencil as an undereye concealer to cover eyebags and as a base on eyelids so eyeshadow stays longer.
7. Master the use of liquid liner. It takes a bit longer to apply but it lasts much longer than pencil.
8. Curl eyelashes before you put on mascara. Generally, Asian women's eyelashes droop and if you put mascara on without curling, they will stain your undereye and you look like a raccoon or panda.
9. For cheeks, use two blush colours. One is to contour cheeks (to give the illusion of a smaller face) and the other is to highlight cheekbones.
10. Use lipliner to stain lips before you apply lipstick so it lasts longer. The clear gloss on the Lip Sheen helps seal colour beautifully.

(published: 2/10/2006)