Beautiful this Boishakh!

The days of Boishakh are long and languid, interspersed with thunderstorms and cold showers that refresh the mind, body and soul. Romance associated with the onset of the Bengali New Year is legendary, as it is the harbinger of new beginnings while putting behind the old. And the celebrations surrounding this day are carried out with much gusto and enthusiasm. As desirable and exciting as it is, things can get a little stressful in the beauty department. The unbearable heat and humidity makes wearing makeup and keeping it in place incredibly hard, and the unexpected showers don't contribute to the mix at all. Moreover, daylong celebrations make patchy foundation, smudged kohl and bleeding lipstick inevitable. However, this year Star Lifestyle has put together a concise guide that will address all the aforementioned issues, as well as the latest trends you can sport this Boishakh!

First off, the biggest concern in summer is keeping skin fresh and matte finished. In order to heatproof your makeup, try wearing a thin layer of primer that will create a smooth base on which your makeup will set beautifully and last all day long. Some primers also promise to control oil and shine. Next, instead of heavy foundation, try out a BB cream that is lighter in consistency yet offers great coverage. A lot of them come with inbuilt sunscreen, which is a must during daytime. Setting makeup with some sheer compact powder will absorb any remaining residue of oil on the face and will keep it shine-free. Carrying blotting paper, which soaks up oil and yet keeps makeup pristine is also a great idea.

After base, keeping eye makeup in place is key. Using an eye shadow primer smoothes out lids and makes shadows last all day long. Waterproof eyeliner, mascara and kohl are essential in humid weather. It'll ensure everything stays in place. In terms of blush, cream formulas last way longer than powder ones, which tend to disappear in the heat. Lastly, matte lipsticks don't bleed as much as glossy ones, so you might want to give that a shot. Blotting lips in between application is great to stain the lips and remove excess product, which also ensures the colour will last longer.

For trends this Boishakh, the classic smoky eye will reign supreme as per usual. As one is likely to celebrate throughout the day, ditch the dense, black eye shadow and opt for soft, hazy charcoal and grey that provide depth and yet look subtle. You could also try using jewel tones such as teal, burgundy, aubergine and emerald instead of boring old black to spice things up. Another trick that is really trending right now is a pop of colour in an unexpected spot. Try a bright deep green or turquoise in the inner corner of your eye to take things to the next level. Skin is dewy, fresh and contoured, letting the inner glow shine through. Red in all avatars is always a favourite for Boishakh. Bright, bold reds are beautiful and dress up any look. If bright reds are a bit too much for you, then slightly ruddy and sheer ones are equally great. You could also try orange, fuchsia and brown to change things up. Whatever shade of lipstick or eye shadow you choose, do not forget the lovely red teep to rightfully finish your look this Boishakh!