Indian cosmetics haven't taken a back seat

Be it Maybelline New York's volumising mascara or M.A.C.'s matte lipstick in trendy shades, international brands have a strong fan base in India. Celebrity make-up expert Cherag Bambboat says it makes sense to use products that have new ingredients, but it doesn’t mean that Indian cosmetics are off the beauty cabinets.

With cosmetics from international brands like Lancome, M.A.C., NARS and Chanel spread over the backstage dressing table at the ongoing Gionee India Beach Fashion Week 2015 (GIBFW), one could make out that there was no place for Indian beauty products at the fashion event at least. So, have ‘made in India’ cosmetics taken a back seat?

“No, they have not taken a back seat. But I believe a lot of innovation and research goes into getting the right colours. Sometimes, a lot of things in the Indian market cater to Indian skin. “At fashion weeks, we have a lot of international models and different colours pamper those skin types. So, it is important to use a blend of maybe more international products,” Bambboat told IANS while working on the face of one of the models for the fashion gala, which will conclude on Saturday at The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort Goa.

But off the ramp too, most Indian women like to fill up their beauty cabinets with cosmetics made in the US or any European country. “They believe in the theory of everything that the West does is nicer. Everybody apes the West, but eventually it makes sense to get something that is newer because they have gone ahead and worked with newer techniques and products.

"There are new ingredients...there are vitamins infused and stuff like that. So, it makes sense to step out of the usual and experiment with these brands,” he said. Going by the runway looks that had scary Zombie looks, daring lip colours and cool eye make-up, it seems like the brands are actually perfect to create out-of-the box looks.

“Being experimental with looks has a lot to do with designers, models and the theme. But at the same time, we have a lot of creativity going in. We created the Halloween look yesterday (Friday). We did a lot of variation in that,” he said. "I like to be adaptive to different trends. Even for Wendell Rodricks' show tonight (Saturday), I will use neon colours, pop pink colours...all together on one face with a glowing sun-kissed look. I will use air brush make-up as it makes things easier and faster to”," he added.

With just a few days left for the festival of lights - Diwali, any make-up tips to dole out? "There is a lot of sparkle in an angelic way and not a crazy way.’It's more like liquid metalised feel on the eyes, lips and skin.’It's sort of out there in your face, but not tac”y," said the expert, who has worked with Bollywood beauties like Sushmita Sen, Anushka Sharma and Richa Chadha.

Any upcoming Bollywood project?“ "I am in the middle of talks for a Yash Raj F’lms' project. Hopefully, it will be a nice film. I’won't disclose any names. I will probably work with someone famous. That person will be coming across to people in a very different l”ok," he said.