To look like a goddess, dripping drop-dead glamour, is not just about an amazing wardrobe and great grooming. SUJATA ASSOMULL goes on a quest for make-up products and beauty tips that keep the radiance always alive

What make-up products can you squeeze into your itsy-bitsy evening bag? Some handy tips on bagging the bare essentials

With fashion turning glamorous once again and the party season knocking on the door, making make-up last through an evening can be a worry. Often, we walk out of the door feeling like we just stepped out of the beauty pages of a magazine. By the time we arrive at the venue, it looks like we forgot to put a face on. That's when you wish you could have carried your entire make-up kit with you. With evening bags being hardly large enough to carry a mobile and keys, this is out of the question. Of course, you need to carry some products for touch ups but make sure there are enough to last you a whole evening and that these are compact enough to fit into your purse. Remember that many make-up products can be used for more than one task. Also, before you put your make-up on, do some prepping to ensure that make-up stays in place longer.

Always, always, start on a clean canvas - cleanse, tone and moisturise before you start. Make-up on make-up never works. Wait for your moisturiser to sink in properly before applying make-up. If your skin is slippery, make-up will just slide off. If you have had a long day and are feeling tired, get some ice out of the fridge, wrap it in a cloth and give yourself a cold compress. It makes you feel fresh and gives your face a slight glow - making the job of your foundation easier.

If it is going to be a long night (or an early morning), invest in a pre-make-up cream. Nina Ricci's pre-make-up base is a good option; it helps cosmetics stay on longer. Now you are ready for your usual make-up routine. Opt for long lasting lipsticks and, when it comes to the eyes, remember powder eyeshadows stay on longer than their crème counterparts. As for mascara, in my experience nothing beats Yves Saint Laurent's Intense Mascara.

As for what you should carry in your bag - the first and most simple must is some tissue. If the skin gets oily, you can dab yourself with it and if your lipstick and eye shadow run, tissue will insure that you instantly clear it up. According to make-up guru, Cory Wallia, the items that a woman should carry in her bag are "Bronzing compact, kohl pencil, shimmery lipstick or liquid lip colour and a crème pencil highlighter". Sounds like an odd choice but there is sound logic behind each one.

The best bronzing compact, according to Cory, is Guerlain's Terracotta Moisturising Bronzer powder but this is not available in India. Alternatives are Clarins and Shiseido. The red and gold packing of Clarins' Bronzing Duo will ensure that even if it falls out of your evening bag, you will not be embarrassed. But Shiseido's Luminising Powder is more practical as it comes with an attached brush. The bronzer can be used to add shimmer to the face - brush it all over for a tanned glow. When you go in for a retouch, if the cheeks look dull, add some bronzer. It can also be used on the body - if you are wearing something that shows off your collarbones, highlight them with a bit of bronzer.

Lipstick or lipgloss is an obvious choice - lip colours never last. The glossier, the quicker it seems to disappear. But, for the evening, a lipstick with some shimmer just fits the occasion. L'Oreal and Christian Dior have both come out with some long lasting lipgloss in a range of colours.

For the eyes, carry a black kohl and a crème pencil highlighter. An eye lighter is one of the best examples of a multipurpose product. Use it under the eyebrows, to give your eyes that touch of evening glamour. Dab on to the centre of the forehead and chin for that dewy look. It gives you a glow that will make other heads turn! The L'Oreal Colour Fresco range of crème eyeshadows come in a handy stick and have a cooling effect, helping you stay in a relaxed mood all night.Think of your handbag contents as your image survival kit. If you cannot fit all these products in, make your partner carry the house keys!

L'Oreal Color Fresco Crème Eyeshadow, Rs 425, at outlets throughout India. Christian Dior Addict Lipgloss in Caramel Apple, Rs1040 and Elizabeth Arden Kohl Pencil with smudger, Rs 780, both at Mado Parfums, Crossroads. Shiseido Luminising Brush Powder in Bronze Satin, Rs 3500 at Parcos. Bag by Maneka A, price on request.

Eye Effect

Don't neglect the windows of your soul

Late nights are just unavoidable. We all know that sleeping early is paramount to your health but sometimes there is nothing we can do about it. The skin around the eyes is ultra sensitive and so needs extra protection. A telltale sign of a night owl are puffy eyes and dark circles. These are the windows to your soul, so ideally they should be bright, sparkly and alert - no matter what age you are.

Naughty Twenties: Develop Good Habits.

Skincare

Do not think you are too young to use eye treatments. Start now and you can help slow down the aging process. First-timers should opt for a gel and not a creamy eye product, as they are lighter and have a cooling effect. Try Garnier's Soothing Under Eye Gel, if you do want to splurge on something expensive. In case of an emergency, nocturnal over-indulgers should head to Kaya Skin Clinic - for an eye rejuvenator service.

Make-Up

This is the time to have fun. If you want to look bold and beautiful, go for it now. As make-up artist, Divya Chablani says, "Colour is very in right now, so if you can carry colour, go ahead and use bright eyeshadows or try a coloured mascara." The two musts for every woman in the coming season are mascara and eyeliner

- either kohl or liquid. And always, always remove your eye make-up before you sleep.

Flirty Thirties: Maintain….Maintain….Maintain….

Skincare

Always wear sunglasses when you go out, or else you will squint, causing premature wrinkles. "By now you must be using a separate day cream, night cream and eye cream," says Divya. Shiseido's The Skincare range is best suited to women of this age. Also sleep is a must, or eyes will become puffy. A trick to help reduce puffiness is to sleep with at least two pillows under your head. This helps stop fluid from draining into the area - a major cause of puffiness.

Make-up

By now, concealer is a must. Clarins Instant Light Perfecting, acts as a light reflector, helping dark under-eyes look lighter and bags smaller. Though Divya warns, "Do not go mad with camouflage, keep it in check." Also use some highlighter on the brow bone to open up the eyes.

Fab Forties: Make-up Magic

Skincare

You may need to start using a heavier eye cream like La Prairie's Eye Complex with Caviar extracts. If you have not quit smoking, then do so, pronto. Smoking slows down the skin's healing process, which is the last thing any woman in her forties needs.

Make-up

Stick to classic colours or pearly whites. "Keep it simple and clean," says Divya. Another trick is to use a little bronze shimmer under the eye, to disguise a dark, sagging under eye. Elizabeth Arden has recently come out with an eye cream that has a pearly effect; called Defining Eye Brightener, it is a real two-in-one product. "Also smudge some kohl at the bottom outer corner, this will lift up the eyes," she says.

Fun Fifties: Less is More

Skincare

Post menopause, skin becomes thinner and more fragile, which is why it tends to sag. So if you going to diet, do it slowly and steadily. Any sudden loss of weight will add unwanted years to your face. Crows' feet may be a worry for women of this age. Some try Botox, a US FDA-approved natural, purified protein which relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles. For over the counter remedies, try Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Eye Time Capsules and also use an eye-mask such as Clarins' Skin Smoothing Eye Mask.

Make-up

Tone it down. Mascara, as always, is a must. "When opting for eyeshadow, women in their 50's should use flesh tones, to open the eye up," says Divya.

Garnier Soothing Under Eye Gel, Rs 95, at outlets throughout India.

Police Sunglasses, Rs 5000, at Vision 2000.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Defining Eye Brightener, Rs 2150.

Shisiedo Eye Revitaliser, Rs 2390.

Nina Ricci Mascara, Rs 1025.

Clarins Eclat Minute Instant Light Perfecting Touch, Rs 1775.

Clarins Skin Soothing Eye Mask Anti Fatigue, Rs 1300.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Time Complex Capsules, Rs 1980. All at Parcos. Bottega Veneta case.

Style Buys

The market is inundated with beauty products. The trick is to know which ones you need and which really work. Here are some of the best

For the Face: Nina Ricci Soothing Moisture Mist is something you should always keep handy. Not only does it give your face that dewy look but is an instant pick-me-up too. Spray it on during the day to keep you feeling fresh and any regular jet-setters should keep this spray in their travelling kits. Spray on at regular intervals to keep skin hydrated. [Rs 1175, at Parcos.]

Packaging: Simple and lightweight, easy to carry.

Efficiency: Has a revitalising effect. Very pampering.

Scent of the Season: Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, is a scent with attitude. It's strong, yet feminine and has some woody overtones. Heavy enough to last all night, its unique shape will help add some eye candy value to your dressing table. [Rs 3,900, at Parcos.]

Packaging: Full marks. It has always been hard to fault Gaultier's avant-garde design sense.

Efficiency: If it's strong you want - this is the one for you.

For the Body: The skin on your body needs as much looking after as the face but often we ignore it. Exfoliation once a week, helps remove dead skin cells and brightens up the skin. Moisturising, on the other hand, should be part of your daily routine. La Prairie, the luxurious Swiss skincare company, has recently launched its Essential exfoliater and moisturiser (Cellular Body Emulsion) in the Indian market. These products will help skin feel as lustrous as silk. [Exfoliater, Rs 2625 and Body Emulsion, Rs 4750, at Mado Parfums, Crossroads.]

Packaging: A clinically stylish bottle.

Efficiency: La Prairie is known for its top of the line products and these two are no exception.

For the Eyes: If there is a cosmetic every woman should use, then it's mascara. Unlike lipstick, it does not rub off easily and it opens up the eye giving it an instant glow. Yves Saint Laurent Intense Mascara, really lengthens those lashes. Wear this mascara and everyone will want to stare into your eyes.

[Rs 1100, at Mado Parfums, Crossroads]

Packaging: Sleek and elegant.

Efficiency: This one really does what it says it does - makes eyes intense.

For Hands and Feet: Just like handbags and shoes no longer have to match, nail polish on the toes and hands do not need to be identical. Keeping things matching-matching is old school. Instead, choose polishes from the same colour family; use a darker hue on the feet and a lighter one on the hands. Christian Dior and Nina Ricci have come out with a whole range of new shades that you can mix and match. For instance, use Christian Dior's Addict Nail Vernis 490, a pink with a hint of lilac, on the hands and on the feet, try number 690 - a mauve. If you like berry tones, try Nina Ricci's Nail Vernis Rose Attuide on the hands and then set it off with a darker polish like their Pourple Densite, on the toes. [Dior, Rs 1075 and Ricci, Rs 775, both at Mado Parfums, Crossroads.]

Packaging: The Dior Addict range has an overtly glam design. Nina Ricci's polishes have a minimal, Zen-like look. Choose the one that suits your personality.

Efficiency: Wear either of these brands and you can be pretty sure that your polish will last at least a week.

For Hair: Colouring, bonding and perming. There are so many ways you can abuse your locks. Those who find that overuse of chemicals over the years has led to hair becoming frizzy and dry, should use special shampoos. One such example is L'Oreal Elvive Smooth Intense Shampoo and Conditioner, fashioned for those with dry and coarse hair. [Shampoo, Rs 2190, Conditioner, Rs 2190, at outlets throughout India.]

Packaging: Bright orange and fun - nothing too serious here.

Efficiency: There are no wonder products for coarse hair but this one does help to make your mane more manageable.