To help you achieve the perfect make-up look this Hari Raya, FMT consulted with Syed Faizal Syed Noh, a top Malaysian professional make-up artist.

With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Syed Faizal has worked with everyone from brides to fashion models and even royalty. Here are his four essential tips to get that radiant and flawless look this Raya.

Syed Faizal’s reminder: Make-up is an art that celebrates individuality. Embrace your natural beauty, including your skin’s texture. Don’t be fooled by social media filters – in-person make-up is unique and different. Let your true self shine!

1. Match your foundation to your hijab

First things first, let’s talk foundation. People often think of their outfit and make-up as separate entities, but Syed Faizal advises otherwise.

Did you know that the colours you wear have a significant impact on how your skin complexion appears?

This is all thanks to the fascinating concept of colour theory. As a general rule, lighter colours create contrast against your skin, making you look darker, while darker colours absorb light and create a shadow effect, making you appear fairer.

So, when choosing your foundation, keep in mind the colour of your hijab.

“When I’m working with brides who wear a white hijab on their big day, I always go for a foundation that is slightly lighter than their skin-tone”, said Syed Faizal.

This colour theory trick will give you an even skin complexion and a more polished look.

2. Use eyeshadow sticks for a mess-free look

Next, let’s talk about eyeshadow. For those who love to experiment with make-up and have moved beyond the basics, eyeshadow is a must-have in your beauty arsenal.

To achieve a flawless look without any pesky fallout under the eyes, skip the powder and opt for a cream-based eyeshadow stick. The stick application is easier and less prone to mistakes.

“I always believe that when it comes to make-up, keep it easy for yourself. You don’t need to over-complicate things to achieve a beautiful look.”

Plus, you won’t need to invest in a million brushes. You can easily blend the eyeshadow with your fingers for a flawless finish.

3. Avoid bold coloured lips

From munching on kuih raya to licking the rendang off your fingers, it’s no surprise that Raya involves plenty of eating. While this is a dream come true for our taste buds, it’s a nightmare for your make-up.

Syed Faizal suggests that you stay away from bold coloured lipsticks for a hassle-free Raya. While a bright red lip can definitely make you stand out from the crowd, it can also go wrong very quickly.

“No matter how waterproof or smudge-proof your lipstick claims to be, it is never going to look flawless throughout the day, especially if you’re indulging in oily foods.”

Instead, he recommends opting for glossy and creamy lipsticks that make you look fresh, especially after fasting.

Syed Faizal also shared that if you’re looking to add a pop of colour to your make-up look, then it’s best to do that with the eyes versus the lips.

Remember, keep it natural, and focus on one main point of your face.

4. Start with less, add more as you go

While Raya may look slightly different each year, one thing never changes – the weather. The hot and humid temperatures will definitely spell trouble for your make-up. So, here are Syed Faizal’s trade secrets that ensure you’re prepared for the day.

Whether you’re talking about foundation, or eyeshadow, or blush, the key is to go slow and steady.

For example, start with one pump of foundation and apply it to the middle of your face, then blend it outwards. If you need more coverage, add a little more, but be careful not to go overboard.

“People often make the mistake of thinking that if you need the make-up to last all day, you need to add more of it. This is definitely a no-no.”

Besides, in today’s economy, you do not want to be wasting your precious and expensive products. Every drop counts, girl!