The month of Syawal is a time for celebrating and in the spirit of renewal, new clothes are worn during this occasion with the latest makeup trends on display.
Local beauty brand owners and a makeup artist give us the lowdown on which beauty trends will be popular this Hari Raya, as well as tips on how to ensure your look holds up all day in humid weather.
The radiant touch
Makeup artist Sarah Ashikin Adzman says that the dewy or semi-matte makeup base will be popular this Hari Raya.
“I have a strong feeling many will go for the dewy look, using foundation that is of the BB cushion variety which is not matte and gives you that dewy complexion,” says Sarah.
“I predict that dewy foundation and rosy cheeks which are in line with the current shift towards youthful, fresh and glowing makeup, will be popular choices,” she says.
“Dewy foundation is consistent with the popular minimal makeup trend that has taken over social media. It lends a radiant, luminous and hydrated look to skin which will look amazing in Hari Raya photos,” she adds.
Kamelia also believes that diffused, rosy blusher in liquid and cream form will also be a popular choice as these types of products blend seamlessly into the skin and mimic the cheek’s natural, glowing flush.
With blusher shades, Nita Cosmetics founder Aznita Azman has observed that people have begun playing up cheek colours more of late.
“Brick and coral shades are very popular – and I think people gravitate towards liquid blusher as it dries matte, has a long-staying power and doesn’t affect your makeup even after sweating,” she says.
“As much as dewy makeup looks great in photos and social media, I predict that we will see lots of semi-matte makeup looks as it is more suited to our climate. This, coupled with a defined glow on cheeks, the brow bone and the nose bridge using powder highlighter,” she adds.
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For the lips, Sarah believes trends will be a mix of matte formulas and juicy balms with a hint of colour, inspired by K-beauty trends.
Aznita advises going with what matches your skin tone when it comes to lip colours.
“Malaysian women with darker skin tend to go for a purple, mauve or a red lip tone as it brings out their features. For fair to medium skin, a pinkish-brown nude lip will always be favoured compared to brighter, red tones,” she says.
Kamelia thinks that this Raya, people will opt for glossy lips.
“This has been a leading beauty trend for a few years and still going strong. The latest developments and trends in lip gloss indicate that more people will reach for hydrating, non-sticky and tinted formulas,” says Kamelia.
And finally, eye makeup must include eyeliner, according to our beauty experts.
“For the eyes a subtle hint of glitter, not too much, and eyeliner is a must,” says Sarah.
Aznita suggests going with an eyeshadow stick which is waterproof and won’t get easily smudged is a good option to go with, and many brands have plenty of choices of matte and shimmer shades.
Long-lasting wear
To ensure your makeup lasts several hours and hopefully an entire day, Aznita says technique is everything.
“One great tip I’ve learned is that preparing the skin is highly important so as to not cause your foundation to crack. The trick is to not pile everything on at the same time,” she says.
“Putting too much product on in a few seconds will make your makeup cakey. ‘When’ you apply makeup is more important than ‘what’ you apply, as in, wait a few minutes between every single step,” she adds.
Aznita recommends using a setting spray mist, followed with moisturiser, sunscreen and primer, and waiting one to two minutes between each step to let the product set.
“When applying foundation, use a damp sponge (squeeze it with a tissue first) and dab, don’t drag. Then, set with loose powder. As a finishing touch, apply setting spray again to lock your makeup in,” she says.
Kamelia also stresses the importance of skin prep to help makeup last longer.
“Setting your makeup with powder helps to lock it in place and control excess shine. After applying foundation and concealer, dust setting powder lightly over your face, focusing on areas prone to oiliness,” she says, adding that a setting spray is key to seal in makeup and provide a long-lasting finish.
She suggests layering similar products to enhance their longevity.
“For example, after applying liquid blush, set it with a matching powder blush to prolong its wear. Similarly, layering powder eyeshadow over liquid or cream eyeshadow can prevent fading,” she says.
Hydration is crucial for long-lasting makeup, opines Sarah, who recommends prepping your skin with toner, serum and moisturiser before applying makeup.
“Your skin needs all the hydration before makeup as it acts like a ‘glue’ to ensure your makeup stays on throughout the day,” says Sarah.
Do's and don’ts
If you’re planning to be out all day seeing family and friends during the first few days of Hari Raya, Aznita, Kamelia and Sarah have several tips to help your makeup get through the long hours in our humid weather.
“Always carry a brush and loose powder with you. Due to our climate, we need to touch up often to keep our makeup fresh. Bring a mini setting spray if you have oily skin. If you are wearing falsies, make sure to bring eyelash glue,” says Aznita.
She also cautions to avoid cream-based foundations and go for powder or liquid as these types will crack less.
“Avoiding sugary drinks one week before Hari Raya is a quick fix for glowing skin (it’s difficult but it works). Drink plain water instead and apply eye cream to de-puff and use a sheet mask the night before.”
To look your best during the busy Hari Raya period, Kamelia suggests enhancing the high points of your face such as the cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow with highlighter.
Defining your eyes with makeup by choosing eyeshadow hues that complement your skin tone is also a must.
“Use eyeliner to define the eyes and mascara to lengthen and volumise lashes,” says Kamelia.
“Also, fill in your brows. Use a brow pencil, powder, or gel to fill in and shape eyebrows, which will help to further define your features. Choose a product that matches your hair colour and use light, feathery strokes to mimic the appearance of natural hair.”
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Kamelia’s “don’ts” include ignoring blending, using the wrong shade of foundation and overdoing contour.
“Don’t ignore blending as it is the key to a seamless and natural-looking makeup application,” she says. “Take the time to blend out harsh lines and edges using makeup brushes, sponges, or clean fingertips for a flawless finish.”
“Choosing a foundation shade that doesn’t match your skin tone can result in an unnatural appearance. Always test foundation on your jawline or neck to ensure a seamless blend with your skin tone.
Her advice when it comes to contouring is to go easy, as it’s easy to end up looking harsh and unnatural, especially in natural lighting.
“Blend contour products seamlessly into the skin using a fluffy brush or makeup sponge for a more subtle and sculpted look.”
When it comes to sunscreen, Sarah recommends using a product that has no white cast.
“Sunscreen is a must, apply it before foundation. Keep that pigmentation away!” she says.
While highlighter is a great way to enhance your overall makeup, Sarah doesn’t recommend it if you have uneven skin texture.
“If you have bumps on your skin, don’t apply highlighter on it as it will be more obvious,” she says.
Looking good in impeccable makeup is essential to many of us, but Aznita emphasises that it is not the most important part of Hari Raya.
“I think we tend to get stressed by trying to look perfect, but the truth is as we are up all night doing preparations the day before, give yourself a break and just relax,” she says.
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