Spring is in the air!

Live a little, please

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RAHMA ABID ALI

Spring is supposed to be the season of colors; we should also know how to play with them. Let?s welcome the multihued spring with some vivacious and pulsating up-to-the-minute make-up and dresses.
Spring fashion in Pakistan is all about lawn, and it?s expanding by the day, don?t you think? All the renowned designers and the not-so-renowned (good and not so good) ones have their lawns on track, with the unrivaled lawns like Gul Ahmed, Al-Karam and the most consistently, beautiful designer lawn by, Sana-Safinaz. I sincerely believe that the excess of everything is dreadful. Having options is fine, but having too many of them isn?t really so. Marketing helps to a certain degree and oh, by the way, signing actresses from across the border, does not necessarily do the trick; improvement is what?s needed, if truth be told.
For we?ve seen some fall flat on their faces.
Anyhow, spring is not just about Lawns, it has a lot more to offer. Such as:

Kurtaas:
Kurtaas, hmmm? tricky! As good as they look when worn right; I have seen some disasters too for you need to get the length, color and fabric right. Do not wear chamkeela (glittery) kurtaas with jeans. And if you like your kurtaas to be glittery, keep it eastern by pairing them with chooridaar pajamas or linen slacks. Always pair the right kurtaas with the right skinnies/jeggings. I have seen that simple, cotton and chickenkaari kurtaas work best with skinnies/jeggings. You can always accessorize your outfit with beady necklaces and bangles. And heels do not work with kurtaas, always go for flats.

Button-down shirts:
Button down shirts are a classic. Checkered, printed, colorful or the good old white work wonders. The only item of clothing that can be worn in any size, any length, but steer clear of too small a size, please. If you ask me I?d say, the bigger the better when worn tucked in. And on us lucky women button downs look good in just about any color.

Skirts:
Us Pakistani women do not really wear skirts whereas I think we should. Floor length, flowy skirts are a great option. You can pair them with a short kurti or a t-shirt along with a scarf. There are endless options. You can wear a plain top with a printed skirt, a printed top with a plain skirt or wear a plain skirt and a plain top with a colorful scarf. But please, never pair a printed skirt with a printed top. So go on, make yourselves some nice plain or printed skirts this season.

Capri pants:
Capri pants have been in the scene for the past 6 ? 7 years. Capri pants can be loose, baggy or fitted. A loose/baggy capri looks best with casual shirts. And fitted/skinny capri looks good only with loose tunics and kurtees. Never wear a kurta with a capri pant, looks very funny.
Coming back to the colors of Spring/Summer 2012, let?s take a look at the IN colors:
Tangerine Tango
Solar power
Bellflower Cabaret
Sodalite Blue
Cockatoo
Margarita
Sweet lilac
Driftwood
Starfish
Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone?s outlook this spring.
Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.
Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental

purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity.
Cabaret is an intense rosy-red - an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.
Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette.
Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will make a statement this spring.
Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow.
Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer.
This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe. Natural, versatile neutrals add practicality to this season?s brights. Driftwood is an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel.
Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complements all colors featured in this season?s top 10.
For an ultra-bold look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Cockatoo for a subtle alternative, or Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation.
Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue, and for a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.
And now the FACE:
Sun block:
Sun with all its magnificence and its properties of Vitamin D, has some extremely harmful effects i.e. dehydration, sun burn, skin cancer etc. if proper care is not taken. So do invest in a good sun block and a water based moisturizer. So before applying foundation make sure that you apply a small amount of moisturizer and then sun block (minimum 30 spf).
Foundation:
Stick foundation is a big NO; not only is it extremely visible, it even blocks the pores of your skin. And perspiration in summers multiplies the damage that is caused to the pores of the skin. We have plenty of other options in the market. We have mineral foundations (preferable), cr?me foundations, mousse foundations and liquid foundations. Those with problematic skins can use concealers with these foundations for a nice coverage of the imperfections. Please do not go for shades that are lighter than your skin tone, always make sure that the foundation is one tone darker.
Apply the foundation using the tip of the fingers, as I feel it blends well and looks natural. Finish it off with a compact or lose powder (your preference) in order to set the foundation and to avoid the excessive oiliness caused by perspiration.
*Now to be really good to your skin, best for you would be to check if the foundation is non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic products are slightly expensive but they ensure non-blockage of the pores. If it is difficult for you to find them, use mineral foundations as they?re equally good. Thanks to the latest cosmetic companies in our country, we have a variety of mineral foundations available in the market.
Blusher:
Please ladies, do not over do the blusher. Dark blusher looks very bad particularly in summers. Avoid glittery blushers, go for the matte ones. Use nice ?peachy pink? on just the apple of the cheek. Blend it well.
Eye makeup:
The best eye shades for this season are sea green, turquoise, lighter shades of green, yellow, hot pink and purple.
You can keep it simple and elegant by using coral, baby pink, bronze and emerald green.
Day: I personally believe that one should not use eye shadows during the day time, as everything is more visible. But if you must then apply a thinner layer of lighter brighter shades such as, pinks, peaches, bronze and the nudes.
Night: At night you?re free to go all out and have fun with whatever colors you like. Experiment! If you?re a busy woman and do not have the time to change the makeup from day to night then just add a bit of kajal or a thick liner.
Application:
Apply the eye shadow with either the tip of the ring finger or use blending brushes. Before applying the desired eye shadow, apply a nude color as a base to enhance and achieve the true color. Always apply a darker color on the outer corner of the eye as it makes your eyes look big. Apply eyeliner or kaajal and finish it off with at least two coatings of mascara. Caring for your eyebrows and keeping them in the right shape improves the overall appearance of your eyes, and consequently, your entire image.
Lips:
With this latest trend of bright colored lips, we have ample exciting options and wow, what fun! With the vibrant shades of orange, red and pink, like tomato reds, fuchsias and the bright oranges just imagine what a blast we can have. Remember, bright lip colors look awful with loud/colorful eyes. Always use nude shades like, peach, beige and light pink with eye shadows like, sea green, purple, yellow etc.