Set the Tone
The essence of any strategy is to start from ground zero – in this case, your skin. Foundation is pretty crucial when it comes to getting that oh-so-flawless effect. Once you’ve got a great base on, you can effectively build your look on that. Opt for tinted moisturizer with a hint of shimmer to make your skin look luminous. Don’t like foundation? Mix body glitter with a spot of moisturizing lotion and dab it strategically on the tops of your cheek-bones, along the length of your collar-bones and all over your back (if you’re going with a backless blouse). Be sure not to overdo it – glittering skin à la Twilight is more scary than sexy!
Max out your mani-pedi
Break out those glitter nail-paints! Nothing looks better by the light of diyas than sparkly nails. Make sure you do both your fingernails and toe-nails - in the exact same shade. Go with a coat of regulation silver glitter over your favourite eye-popping hue (turquoise, sea-green and citrusy orange are great when paired with glitter) or work the glam look with two coats of glitter nailpaint in gold, copper, bronze or silver tones. Another alternative is to sport bright blue, purple or leaf-green nail glitter on your digits to complement your festive raiment. A slightly more low-key option is to go for shimmery nail-varnishes, which have an iridescent effect in their own right. What you don’t want to do is pair reds and maroons with glitter, unless you’re a bride or a newlywed.
Work the trends
Stuff that little black dress back into the cupboard! For festive radiance, nothing beats good ol’ traditional threads. Heavy raised embroidery in gold and silver thread on velvet is everywhere this season, with the 2013 festive season collections of ace couturiers J.J.Valaya, Ritu Kumar and Rohit Bal featuring velvet bolero-style saree blouses with bold motifs. Score the trend with by pairing a gold-embroidered or silver-embroidered velvet sari blouse with a traditional drape. Or, update your lehenga or pavadai by topping it with a short velvet or sheer jacket featuring bold floral embroidered designs. Another hot trend: sheer sarees and dupattas decorated with embroidered motifs, which popped up chez Anita Dongre, Pallavi Jaikishan, Ritu Beri, Neeta Lulla and Rina Dhaka. Work the look with an ornately-embellished sheer saree teamed with an eye-catching embroidered blouse.
When you’re dressing up for Deepavali, the final touch is the sparkle in your eyes! Wear something that makes you look and feel beautiful, so that your joie de vivre lights you up from within.
A pretty pout
Dab a hint of glimmer over your lip-colour or lip-balm to add a touch of va-va-voom to your pucker. Glitter has the advantage of making your lips look plumper and fuller, helping you create that pouty, Angelina Jolie-esque effect.
