Skin is in: Follow these tips to nail the minimal make-up look

Whether as a byproduct of elaborate skincare routines becoming increasingly popular or a broader shift in terms of makeup being used to highlight and accentuate instead of conceal and cover the growing popularity of skinfocused looks is showing no signs of dimming From Kiara Advani to Kareena Kapoor Khan to even Disha Patani Bollywoodrsquos leading ladies have all been sported with makeup that either leaves the skin entirely bare or only adds to its innate luminescenceKareena Kapoor Khan and right Solanki in casual nomakeup looksldquoUndoubtedly skin is emerging as the hero of the beauty world With clients mdash both women and men mdash focusing on their skin health and following meticulous skincare routines theyrsquore eager to show off the results in the form of radiant glowing skin instead of covering it all up in makeuprdquo notes Dr Manisha Kothari a dermatologist at Kosmoderma Clinics Dollie Solanki a beauty content creator agrees with this observation ldquoWhether yoursquore rocking a classic red lip or going for softer kohlrimmed eyes the skin has to be hydrated and glowing for a fresh dewy finish To achieve that radiant skin look itrsquos important to add in a few extra skincare and skin prep steps before makeup applicationrdquo she sharesSubtle but effectiveSolanki recommends starting a moisturiser that suits your skin type ldquoChoose a lightweight foundation with a satin or radiant finish or skip foundation entirely opt for a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream For added radiance you can mix a little strobe cream or liquid highlighter into your foundation You can also use an illuminating primer before applying your foundationrdquo she saysDollie Solanki and Manisha KothariWhen it comes to concealers stick to spot concealing only those areas that need it A cream or liquid blush and highlighter works better for a lsquolitfromwithinrsquo appearance instead of powder formulas Solanki also suggests the lsquoblonzingrsquo technique which includes mixing blush and bronzer to add definition and colour to your face without harsh contour lines ldquoRemember less is more mdash apply small quantities of product gradually building your look up and blending well so that your make up looks seamless and not cakeyrdquo she warns Avoid matte and full coverage foundations and steer clear of lsquobakingrsquo with powder instead use subtle touches of powder with a puff or a fluffy brush only to set the concealer or in areas where the skin tends to get greasy such as the Tzone Harsh contouring is a strict nonoImperfectly perfectWhile nobase makeup may be a nobrainer if your skin is already youthful radiant and blemishfree more mature or acneprone skin may find the trend slightly more daunting Yet Solanki affirms that these looks are meant for all ages and all skin types ldquoThe number one issue that people with mature skin have is their makeup creasing and product settling into fine lines and wrinkles To avoid this ensure that you moisturise your skin well before you apply makeup Lightly dab off any excess moisturiser with a tissue and use a blurring primer before applying your base makeup Ensure that you set the concealer in with powder mdash do not bake mdash before it starts creasingrdquo she adds Acne or pigmentation can be spotcorrected she continues ldquoMy favourite technique is to blend the concealer on the target area with an eyeshadow brush for precise concealing and then set it with powder In case of discolouration such as redness due to rosacea dull and sallow skin or extremely dark circles under the eyes colourcorrect before adding foundation and concealerrdquoAce that baseIf you still havenrsquot found a skincare routine that is simple effective and gives you the perfect canvas for a nobase makeup look Dr Kothari offers the following suggestionsgtgt Start with an AM and PM routine For the AM routine use a gentle cleanser followed by a moisturiser and a sunscreen For the PM routine use a cleanser followed by a serum sealed in with a moisturisergtgt If you use makeup daily or are exposed to air pollution include double cleansing in your routine Double cleansing starts with an oilbased cleanser which helps to remove the dirt and makeup followed by a waterbased cleansergtgt Adequate hydration is essential for skin homeostasis to maintain your skin barrier and for tissue elasticity Hydration is just not external in the form of moisturisers but also internal Drink two to three litres of water and explore supplements containing Nacetyl cysteine vitamin B3 B6 B9 B12 and D3 and Himalayan pink saltgtgt For dry skin choose a moisturiser containing shea butter ceramide or glycerine in a cream based or ointmentbased formulation For oily skin a hyaluronic acidbased oilfree lightweight gelbased moisturiser would be ideal For combination skin pick a lightweight gel moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid glycerine and dimethiconegtgt Use a retinolbased serum for ageing concerns If you are starting out with retinol try the sandwich technique that involves washing your face with gentle cleanser applying a moisturiser topping it with a retinol serum and then finally sealing the serum in with another layer of moisturiser This helps your skin to adapt to the molecule thereby avoiding the irritation and breakouts from retinol