The dawn of dusk

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As the dusky beauty look catches on, the numbers in the cosmopolitan cities across the country seem to be growing. The good news is that the trend is moving towards refraining from using artificial cosmetic bleaching treatments to lighten the colour of your skin as these are also dangerous.

Beena Sondhi, beauty expert and director operations, Bounce Salon shares tips on using highlighting makeup to tone down the colour of the face to get a tanned effect.

Brown is beautiful
Beena says that the only way this look can be achieved is through the right application of make up. The secret is bronzers. Bronzers are available with most of the good international and even Indian brands and can be picked off the cosmetic stores. These can be applied with the base to get an instant tanned look which is very much in vogue. Since the tanned look is still not very big down south, as most of the southern India is still bent on trying lightening creams, it isn't the case in Bengaluru and other cosmopolitan cities. Don’t go one shade darker with your foundation or concealer in order to go brown, as it will leave your skin patchy. You can go for warmer tones though. Make sure you add a drop of bronzer with two drops of the base and apply it evenly on the face ears neck and shoulders. This will give your tan an even and smooth look, just like the one you see on the runways. Use highlighting makeup, particularly on your cheekbones, forehead and nose area. You can play with colours like cinnamon, hot pink, cocoa, gold tones or a bronze shade.

Sun scorchers
Though your skin is best-protected against UV damage, light skinned peeps can now stop bothering about high SPF creams. The tanned look can also be achieved with a natural sun tan. Try catching either the morning sun or the evening sun and avoid the afternoon sun rays. Instead of going for a treadmill jog, try the early morning or a late evening walk in the sun. Though there are not many kitchen remedies for this look, you can massage a few drops of honey and almond extract to give your face a natural shine from within.

Tread with caution
Avoid using artificial cosmetic bleaching treatments to change the colour of your skin as these can be harmful and even damage your skin with irreversible effects. Those with problem skin can prevent acne with a pore-cleansing salicylic-acid wash every day before and after work. Keep your skin hydrated at all times so that your skin is free of ashy patches.