Exclusive Interview with Makeup Artist Susmita Patel

Makeup artist Susmita Patel, the founder and a creative director of “Studio Sush” began her career at the Capri Institute in 1996 and also attended the Joe Blasco School of Makeup Artistry. She has been a personal consultant to more than 900 brides. “Nothing makes me happier than the priceless smile of an approval,” says Susmita Patel, “this recognition motivates me to endeavour hard to continue my pursuit of excellence.”

Thousands of smiles later, her passion for art and creation is unabated. As a makeup artist, beauty expert and personal stylist, she’s able to translate her passions into stunning metamorphosis of excited brides. Her unique ability is her visual analytic ability. She has an amazing sense to analyze one’s face in only a few seconds and create a “unique look based on the individual’s personality”. She works with spellbinding speed and clinical accuracy to lend an attention to minutest detail that compliments film and photography.

Although Susmta is capable of creating any look desired, she does not push the latest trend on her clients. “It’s about you and your personality as an individual,” she says. “I work to enhance who you are already.” 

Specializing in foundation, Susmita mixes it herself to match complex skin tones ensuring a natural look. But much more than makeup, she provides clients a complete style: hair, dressing and accessories.

Susmita’s attributes - her obsession for perfection with each and every detail, mesmerizing speed, innovative ideas, warm friendliness, personalized artistry and unflinching dedication to her work - have all her clients fulfilled. It is not surprising to find strong recommendation of Susmita from the happy clients to their friends and families. 

Besides owning Studio Sush, a skin care and hair artistry salon, Susmita also serves as a beauty expert on the TV show Beauty Vault, is a Bollywood film stylist, and a personal stylist to the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She has worked for Shiseido, Clinique, Lancome, Dr. Perricone, Completely bare spa and free lanced at Henri Bendel and Laura Mercier.

Beauty Almanac talked with this makeup expert about newest trends, makeup application, mineral makeup and more.

BA: What makeup trends/colors can we expect in Spring and Summer 2011?

Susmita: The new trend is all about lips. Bold lips and mixed pastel eyes will be the rage. But when we think of bold make-up, there is no prescribed color; rather the fashion is for women to express their own personality through their choice of color.

BA: Is it better to apply makeup with brushes and applicators or with fingers, and why?

Susmita: The techniques that are used in applying make-up vary;however, using fingers for all aspects of make-up application is not advisable. Applying eyeshadow, eyeliner, and blush are best done using applicators because they are precise. The use of fingers is not entirely hygienic and should only be used for certain types of make-up that do not require detail.

BA: Many women don't know the right way to apply liquid foundation. Could you tell us the right way?

Susmita: The method used in applying make-up depends on the type of make-up being used. If you use liquid foundation, the best way to apply it ,for personal use, is to use your fingers. The foundation should be applied in an evenly placed dot formation. The concentration of the foundation in specific areas of your face depends entirely on your own needs. If you do use this method, be sure to smooth and even out the foundation with a partially wet sea sponge. Using your fingers will prevent you from wasting your product. The same applies if you have applicators,but many do not use them properly. Brushes and synthetic sponges can leave streaks on your face. By using your fingers and the finishing sea sponge, you will be left a natural look.

Leave the brushes and applicators to professionals. At home, your fingers do the same job with virtually the same efficiency.

BA: What kind of makeup would you recommend for oily/combination skin and for dry skin?

Susmita: For those who have oily/combination skin, balancing oil-free and water free foundation should be used. Avoid foundations that contain alcohol, mineral oil, and Bismothoxychloride (a synthetic mineral that is a byproduct of Lead and Copper). You can use oil-free liquid to cream based makeup depending on the coverage you are looking for. I recommend Laura Mercier, Sheseido, and Clinque’s foundations.

For dry skin, you can use foundation that is dry skin formulated and contains liquid or cream bases depending on the desired coverage.

BA: What is the difference between traditional and airbrush makeup?

Susmita: A common misconception is that airbrush make-up is a whole different type of make-up. Airbrush make-up is a technique.The product used in the system is the same used in traditional. Only the method of application is different.Just as the greater amount of pixels generates a higher resolution in photographs, the finer the mist produced by the airbrush system, the better the coverage. Traditional make-up, or pancake make-up as I like to call it, is an application that is much more simple and controlled. Airbrush make-up is best done by a professional that has knowledge of the actual technique.

BA: What are your thoughts on mineral makeup? Does this kind of makeup provide the same coverage as the traditional one?

Susmita: I believe that mineral make-up looks best when applied with a fat brush in a circular motion.The quite a few contain high contents of Mica that are great for reflecting light and providing even coverage in real-life. However, mineral make-up can look disastrous on film and photographs.

BA: Could you name three makeup products a woman shouldn't live without?

Susmita: Concealer, mascara, and preferred lip product. The make-up that you carry depends entirely on your personality and requirements. If you are not that into make up : Lip gloss, bronzer, and mascara.

Ines Markovic

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