Karwa Chauth is the perfect excuse to turn up the drama on your makeup, and Bipasha Basu makes a rather convincing case for smoky eyes. Her deep, kohl-rimmed gaze, softly sculpted skin and rose-brown lips
have all the makings of a festive beauty look that feels straight out of a classic Bollywood frame.
It’s old-school Bollywood glamour without the dated finish, and proof that when your eyes are doing this much talking, the rest of your face can happily keep the conversation short. Here’s how you can ace the glam perfectly!
How To Recreate Bipasha Basu’s Smokey-Eyed Makeup Look
Start with well-moisturised skin to give your makeup a smooth canvas. Let your moisturiser sink in before applying a primer, paying extra attention to areas where foundation tends to crease or separate. For the base, aim for a polished complexion with a natural-looking glow rather than a heavy, mask-like finish. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup is a premium option if you want lasting coverage, while Maybelline Fit Me Foundation is a more budget-friendly alternative. Apply in thin layers, blend well around the nose and jawline, and use concealer only where you need extra coverage. The goal is skin that looks even and fresh, not buried under product.
Now comes the star of the show, those smoky, kohl-rimmed eyes. Begin by sweeping a warm brown shadow through the crease, then build deeper brown and charcoal shades along the outer corners and lash lines. Blend patiently to soften any harsh edges, adding black shadow sparingly for extra intensity. M·A·C Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette makes a good high-end pick, while the Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette offers a wallet-friendly way to experiment with layered neutrals. Next, define the upper and lower lash lines with a dark eyeliner, smudging it gently before it sets. M·A·C Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner is a premium option; Maybelline Tattoo Studio Smokey Gel Pencil Eyeliner is a more affordable alternative. Finish with a few generous coats of mascara for fuller-looking lashes.
(Image: @bipashabasu)Once the eyes are sorted, bring warmth back to the face with bronzer and blush. Bipasha’s complexion has a softly sculpted, sun-kissed quality, so choose a warm blush in a rose or muted terracotta tone and blend it across the apples of your cheeks towards the temples. Add a touch of bronzer beneath the cheekbones and around the hairline for gentle definition, then tap a little highlighter onto the high points of your face.
For the lips, follow Bipasha’s lead with a muted rose-brown shade that lets the smoky eyes retain their star status. Skip anything too pale or chalky and look for a colour with warm mauve or brown undertones. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk Medium is a lovely premium choice, while Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick offers budget-friendly shades in a similar colour family. Line your lips first, fill them in with lipstick and soften the edges for a finish that looks defined but not overly drawn.
Finally, mist your face with setting spray to help the makeup last through the festivities. Give it a moment to settle, check that the shadow is blended and the lipstick hasn’t wandered, and you’re ready.
