Makeup that survives a Mumbai commute

Many of our customers travel from Virar, Thane or Panvel to offices in Lower Parel, BKC or Andheri, which can mean an hour and a half on a local train or in a shared cab, twice a day. Makeup has to survive heat on the platform, a crush in the compartment and then a cold office.

Apply less at home. A thin skin tint, a little powder on the T-zone, kajal and a lip colour are enough. Skip anything that needs blending, because a 9.12 fast to Churchgate is not the place to fix it. Many women on our team do their makeup after reaching the office, in five minutes, and only wear sunscreen and kajal on the way.

Use long-wear formulas for the journey. A matte liquid lipstick will not smudge on a dupatta or a mask, and smudge-proof kajal will not run in the humidity of a crowded train. Avoid glossy lip products and cream highlighters, which pick up dust. The office air-conditioning is the next problem. Cold, dry air can make matte lipstick feel tight by afternoon. Keep a lip balm at your desk and use it at lunch, then reapply colour before you leave.

For the evening ride home, blotting papers are more useful than more powder. Press, do not wipe. If you are going straight from work to dinner in Bandra, add a second coat of lipstick and a dab of cream blush on the cheeks. Five minutes in the office washroom is enough to look fresh for the evening.