Valentine's Day special: Let your hair & make-up play the cupid!

New Delhi:The day of love is finally here! Unleash your inner romantic and bring some gorgeous ‘Red' shades into your life - be it a pillar box red, orange red, ox blood red - there is a red to suit you! Look your best on the February 14, by trying out these charming hair and beauty ideas.

Love is in the air!

All you lovely ladies, oomph of volume and sensuous and beautiful waves can sweep your partner off his feet. “If you have long hair length, try a soft layered look or textured graduated shapes. In fact, adding lighter pieces from red or brown families depending on cooler/ warmer skin tone can enhance the movement. New unconventional techniques, such as temporary spray colours, extensions and ombré/ balayage/ dip dye look effortlessly stylish,” recommends Rohan Jagtap, salon director & educator, b: blunt.

One can also be the scene stealer by adding some bangs at the forehead. “Make your hair look super glossy, polished and smooth with a solid fringe garnished with hues of raspberry reds and vibrant violets. Style them straight with a hair dryer/ straighten iron and seal the look with a hair serum,” says Nitin Manchanda, National Technical Head, Indola.

Accessories will always be girl's best friend. Using one in a creative way can bring in a change.  Save the red flowers (in spite of been over used) for your fairytale day out.

Wearing red is statement!

UK-based celebrity make-up artist Mira Parmar accounts on wearing a beautiful red lip. “Remember red lips need to be perfect. Get yourself a great lip liner such as M.A.C Basic Red and line your lips perfectly, then use your red lippie to fill in with a lip brush. If you're not sure on sporting a red pout, add red onto your nails for a touch of valentine's…you can also bring a little red into your cheeks, if you're feeling daring,” she suggests.

How to get it right?

On picking up the right red for your skin for your biggest date, Parmar says, “warmer olive skin tones look great with orangey reds, darker caramel skin works with blue undertones and paler skin tones work with blue reds too. However, there aren't rules in make-up, so play around and see what you like.” Just be careful: If you're wearing a red lip, try minimal make-up everywhere else, and your lip will just stand out. Sweeping winged black eyeliner always works well creating a retro look.

Nail it!

“When it comes to valentine nails, fun, flirty and bold patterns are ruling. Make the best use of red, pink, peach and coral; try applying the glitter too. If you want to get away from the traditional red, then oxblood, black and gold can be your staple,” says Elizabeth, Colorbar Make-up Expert.

The trick is here!

After penning down these pretty hair and make-up ideas, it's time to save you from those sartorial dilemmas. Revered fashion designer Pallavi Mohan encourages sticking to the basics and being confident in your skin. “Blush pink is the hue of the season; spread romance in the air with vibrant pastel shades. If you wish to stick to the classic red, pair your outfit with black or gold accessories, without going overboard.”

So divas out there, I'm sure after going through these pro tricks, you are ready to be the stunner this Valentine's Day! All the luck!

- Isha Gakhar is a Delhi-based fashion and beauty journalist. She blogs at iluvanity.com