he 2020 pandemic changed everything, including our beauty regimes. Because we were either home or masked up, many of us ditched our multi-step beauty routines and opted for a simpler regimen. Come what may, the fact is that most of us are beauty obsessed and follow trends round the year. This spring/summer, the experts say, is all about achieving that clear and glowing skin, to begin with.

We caught up with makeup expert Bina Khan, who has been working professionally for almost 25 years now, and asked her about beauty trends that would be ruling the S/S season.

Makeup trends

“I think there is a huge focus on skin,” she began with the basics. “Maybe it’s because we are all suffering behind masks, so we’re paying more attention to exfoliation and skincare as a whole.”

She further went on to say, “Mercifully, I see people are finally over the misinformation that putting on makeup means caking your face with 32 products. A focus on cleaner skin means a generally pared-down look, and I am so here for it! These cookie-cutter, Instagram/Bratz doll looks have been driving me crazy.”

Of cut and colour

As far as haircuts and styles are concerned, the makeup expert tells Instep, “I see people playing a lot more with face-framing layers as well as fringes. I think this might be because we are all looking at ourselves on the screen all the time, and our head and shoulders have become important. I personally find myself needing to create texture and movement around my face, so I can understand how the camera angles are dictating the kinds of looks we are seeking out from our stylists.”

In terms of perfect hair shades, Bina reveals, “I’ve never had streaks of any kind or tried any other colours, so I don’t have a lot of authority here. However, none of us are spending extended hours in salons, so again I see a focus on care more than significant changes in the stylists’ chairs. I imagine after everyone’s been vaccinated, people are going to go wild.”

She continues, “Having said that, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see Kate Middleton’s hair colour. I think it’s so lovely and would look great on our skin tones. I would definitely say that Kate’s glossy, rich, chocolatey hair is a classic that more people should go for.”

Makeup tricks for online meetings

Though life has gone back to normal in most parts of the country, there are many women who are still working from home. So which lip colours would be perfect for those zoom/online meetings?

“I say go bright!” Bina responds. “If you let your lips do the talking a) your teeth look whiter b) you brighten up the screen for yourself and for others, and most importantly c) if you commit to a few extra minutes on a beautifully applied, arrestingly pigmented lip, you can take it easy on the rest of the face. A quick concealer swiped on to a still wet primer, gently highlighted skin (eyelids too) but mostly matte, well-powdered skin, mascara, brows, and you are all set to take over those meetings.”

Powder blushes or tints?

“I always echo my lipstick in my blush; I usually kiss the brush and swipe the colour directly onto my cheeks. Designer Hassan Sheheryar picked up on this phrase during our many live sessions together. He crisscrossed his fingers in the air and said ‘hashtag kiss the brush’,” shares Bina. “It has become a thing that people throw up in the comments when I do it. But I promise, try this trick and you will have a beautifully saturated cheek colour that automatically compliments your look. #kissthebrush,” she asserts.

Spring summer skincare

Speaking about the skincare routine women should follow this season, Bina thinks that it is essential to work out how to exfoliate appropriately at home.

“As a Dermologica skin tech, I am fortunate enough that I can give myself professional facials without stepping out of the house. If I don’t, the heat from behind the mask just drives my skin crazy,” she stresses, adding that she thinks everyone should get on the exfoliation bandwagon. “You need to give it equal status as dental care. You don’t want any build-up on your teeth, and you don’t want a build-up of dead skin on your living one. I hope that scares people into opting for a good skincare routine,” she emphasises.

Nail trends

“People are opting for shorter nails; maybe because we are all doing more housework than ever before,” she says.

Tips and tricks

A few makeup trends that are a big no this season include too much shine and gloss. “It’s too hot in the spring/summer season and would look disastrous,” she reveals.

On a parting note, she shares that the simplest trick to transform your day makeup into night makeup is to focus on the lips. “Well, ideally touching up your mascara, brows, contour, and going for statement lips is the key, but even just the lips will do wonders,” she concludes.