July 31, 2013 Asmita Aggarwal

From Jalandhar to a Glittering Pedestal

Make-up guru Sonic Sarwate reveals his days of struggle, love for make-up, trends to be seen at Couture Week, and why styling is a ‘respectable profession’

It was a far-fetched dream to even think about making it to world of glamour, forget being an integral part of it for a young boy who was born in the dusty, industrial town of Punjab, Jalandhar. But make-up guru Sonic Sarwate, has managed to achieve more than he even dared to dream about. “As a young, precocious kid I used to be gripped by curiosity, I would want to explore things that most people would not even think about. So when I told my dad, a government official that I want to take up styling, he thought I was crazy,” he smiles.

But it hasn’t been an easy journey to the top of the proverbial ladder for Sonic, who started out as a salesman in UCB and moved from Delhi to Mumbai to give his inner calling a chance. “My dad’s words would ring in my ears—‘find a respectable profession, make-up is certainly not that’. But I took my chances,” he confesses.

Twelve years ago to find work in Mumbai was tough, no Godfather, no place to live, uncertainty of daily survival, and at that time, not many make-up artists had assistants. “MAC was opening and I got a call from Dubai, I thought it was for a shoot, but fate had something else in store for me, I was hired by them. It was a life altering moment,” he says.

Handling make-up and look tests for the PCJ Couture Week that starts today, Sonic says that it is back to less is more, with simplicity being the buzzword. “Each designer has a distinct look in mind, we of course, advice them, but the final decision has to be theirs. Monisha Jaising wanted the girls to look elegant, so we added a fuller brow and a classic eye. Anju Modi’s theme is Draupadi, so it is a mix of traditional with a contemporary look, with a focus on the eyes. Gaurav Gupta you will have to watch out for, it is quite an interesting and futuristic take and for Manish Arora, it is larger-than-life make-up. Masaba for Satya Paul, we are trying for a young and fresh look,” he says.

Earlier, Sonic says, Couture Week courted a lot of drama, with elaborate-ness being the order of the day. But now things have simmered down, “hair and make-up must be relatable and not just about drama”. And if you ask him what his dad thinks about him today, “He is proud, very proud that I am happy doing what I love and that for me means a lot more than material success,” he concludes.

Sonic predicts Couture Week trends:
Simple is back: You don’t need to be over-the-top to make a statement.
Lips will get bolder with wine reds and orangey hues.
Skin to get a dewy finish.
Eyes will be either smokey or lined.
Hair is effortlessly messy; like wind-blown tresses where you have a few strands breaking free; the de-stressed look is in.

Ways to wear foundation correctly:
Most women don’t try foundation on their face, while buying a product, rather I’ve seen them trying it on the hands. This is a big mistake. Try the foundation on your face, always.
As Indian skin has a golden/honey undertone, choose a foundation that matches this.
Take your sponge or brush and start applying from the center; and then blend it towards the jawline.
This will ensure an even skintone.
Foundation can cover your dark circles (if they are not too deep and black), so you won’t need a concealer.
Always remember one foundation will never work for everyone; you have to select what works for you.

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