Cosmetics are a combination of substances made by either herbal sources, or synthetically created ones, or both. Cosmetics have numerous purposes. Those created for skin care are used to cleanse, shield and prevent harm from toxic dirt particles. Cosmetics used for beautifying one’s appearance may be used to hide blemishes, highlight one’s natural features, and may be used to change a person’s appearance completely to resemble another person, creature or object.
The first thing that pops up in our mind when we hear the word ‘cosmetics’ is makeup. Makeup is a cosmetic that is designed to enhance the way someone looks. It is done to emphasize on the person’s prime features and make them look better. Some apply makeup to look younger and have clear skin. It acts as a camouflage that hides the aspects that they do not wish to show and gives a spotlight to the features they wish to underline. This is one of the main reasons why makeup is widely used. On hitting puberty, a female’s features like cheekbones, lashes, lips, nose and eyes become more prominent. Blush makes the cheekbones pronounced; mascara, eyeliners and eye shadows intensify the eyes; lipstick complements the lips; and foundations give the skin a smooth finish.
Besides, makeup is not all about giving a boost to our physical appearance, it involves psychological enhancement as well. People also do makeup because they love it. They think of it as a form of self-expression. The way in which a person does his/her makeup tells a little about his/her personality as well. If a person goes for dark and bold colours, he/she might be outspoken; whereas a person who goes for light colours might be comparatively more reserved.
Housewives and working women, though engaged in household chores and their jobs, also should focus on themselves. The fact that they are at home or at their jobs doesn’t stop them from using makeup in their everyday life. Those who love makeup apply it. Although, makeup is not only used by them to look pretty, they also use it as a defence for their skin so that it doesn’t become dull, oily etc., for example, while cooking, they stand in the kitchen almost all day long near the gas. This deteriorates their skin and hence, comes the need to use makeup products.
If you want to elaborate on your makeup skills, here are the top 10 tips for Indian housewives and working women –
- Eyeliner in a Jiffy – Many find it difficult to draw a straight line from an eyeliner. Here are two solutions for you! For a flawless straight line of eyeliner, just
draw small dots or dashes with your desired eyeliner
on your lash line; join them afterwards. This dashed
line serves as the ideal outline which can be traced.
To wing the perfect eyeliner, use scotch tape. Just
stick two small pieces of scotch tape in a V-shaped form.
Follow the ends of the tape and shade in between. This
gives you great winged eyeliner. Spoons, forks, cards
or anything with straight edges can be used as an
alternative to scotch tape.
- Baby Powder for Thicker Lashes – To give a voluminous effect to your lashes, apply a coat of your chosen mascara first. Sprinkle some baby powder on it and then apply a second coat of mascara. This dramatizes the lashes and gives them a bulky effect. Thick lashes enhance the eyes and add to their beauty.
- Liquifying Dried Mascara – Keeping mascara unused
for a long period of time dries the content in the bottle.
Rather than scrapping your dried mascara, add a few 
drops of contact lens solution to the bottle, mix it well
and your mascara comes back to the state of functioning
consistency. If you do not have a contact lens solution,
boil warm water in a glass and place your mascara in it.
Wait for a few minutes and watch your mascara come back to life!
- Acing Smoky Eyes – Smoky eye makeup makes the eyes look bigger, and deeper and draws attention to them. It’s the perfect look for parties and this method makes smoky eyes instantly. Apply kohl (kajal) on your upper and lower lash lines. Smudge it within the outlined area. Finish the look off by drawing a “V” along the side on the outer corner and blend well. A touch of eyeshadow can also be added to intensify the effect. Shimmer is optional.
- Long Lasting Lipstick – Lipsticks come off quickly
and might even disappear before you end your day. 
This trick would give your lipstick a longer life – after
applying your lipstick, place a tissue over your lips and
dust some translucent powder (colourless facial powder
used to set makeup); and then apply a final coat of your lipstick over it. This will let the colour set in and give your lipstick an enduring effect.
- Almond Oil as a Lipstick Remover – Now that we have the trick to a long-lasting lipstick, we will let you in on the secret to removing it without hassle. This simple tip is way cheaper than those expensive makeup removers nowadays. Spray some sweet almond oil over a cotton ball and dab it over your lips. This not only removes your lipstick but also acts as a moisturizer for your lips, keeping them soft and smooth.
- Know Which Brush to Use – Despite the fact
that you use “grade-A” cosmetics, their application
is the key. Hence, brushes have the utmost importance.
It is difficult to memorize which brush is to be used 
for what purpose, but take time to figure it all out for
the perfect look. But here’s a pro tip for you – fluffier
brushes are used for diffusing products like blush,
powder or highlighters; and smaller brushes are used
for products that require exactness and accuracy, like
eyeliners or lipsticks.
- Design Your Own Personal Palette – Now that you know your colour tone, you should learn what colours compliment your natural skin. There are always a few colours that we use all the time. And since palettes can be expensive, make your own! Instead of buying the entire palette, buy the eyeshadows and blushes that you prefer and that can be refilled. Set them in an empty box and now you have your own personal favourite makeup items!
- Know Your Colour Tone – Essentially, there are
three colour tones – cool, warm and neutral.
It is necessary to know what your colour tone is 
so that you can buy products that suit and match
your tone. To determine your colour tone, here’s a
cue – if you have bluish or purplish veins, you have
a cool skin tone; if the veins give a greenish impression, your colour tone is warm; and if you have trouble distinguishing, you have a neutral tone.
Drink Green Tea – We all know the amazing effects of green tea as a detox drink, but it can be beneficial for your skin as well. Green tea bags reduce swelling and tightening of the skin. Dark circles can also be ridden off when cool tea bags are placed over closed eyes. This is a must-try hack!
Skill Ninja Academy is a digital platform that focuses on career-driven education. It empowers women and transforms them into strong, successful and independent individuals. It edifies them and gives them assistance in shopping more confidently, developing their personality, improving their spoken English, dressing subtly, and alleviating their net etiquette.
It offers various online courses and workshops, accompanied by learned professionals, like Makeup Workshops, Spoken English Courses, Baking Workshops, Dance Workshops, Personality Enhancement Courses, Grooming Workshops, academic coaching classes, etc. Talent shows are also organized to bring out their hidden talents.
Through these courses, one gains the sought-after capabilities of the modern world, by engaging with their imagination and using their time productively. They stir up self-reliance and inculcate a certain amount of courage and determination. This experiential learning boosts their creativity which enables them to see the world differently.
“The New Me”, a recent initiative of Skill Ninja Academy, which brings forward the unseen artistic beings in each and every woman, augments belief in oneself and also decreases dependence on others. It provides opportunities and imparts intellectual knowledge to housewives and working women, for example: Skill Ninja Academy’s Makeup & Grooming Workshop. Professionals advise the ladies and give them tips to better their makeup skills. They also give them tell them about the latest makeup products and give them the tricks for the proper makeup application. Skin care tips are also given. It is a full-fledged package which helps housewives and working women.
- By Kannan Kaur Raina