Meet the reader Sumisha Shankar, 25, Army officer:
Adventure and living life on the edge motivated this young girl to join the armed forces. “I didn’t want to take the beaten track. I wanted to do something worthwhile and different, hence joined the army. The last five years have matured me immensely as a person. Today I am far more evolved mentally,” says this captain in the army. In her spare time she researches on folk art forms and we hear that she’s an excellent performer as well. Eating out, discovering new places, meeting new people and reading are her pet hobbies.

This cocktail dress was perfect for the makeover. The fitted silhouette complements her innate confident and strong personality while the colour pink gives that hint of femininity
Designer Swapnil Shinde

Bourjois products she loved: Found de Teint (Brush Foundation), Volume Clubbing Macara, Blush bourjois, OMBRE A Paupiers (single eye shadows) and Effet 3D Gloss, For the hair: Wella High Hair Ocean Spritzz, Gloss Serum & Brilliant Affair

I wanted to give her a soft feminine feel so I went with lilac on the eyelids contrasted with gold, and coral lips > Makeup expert Sibille Buchholzer-Juen

Wish to turn glam …
“When at work I stay miles away from make-up. There is not a hint of gloss or even kajal on my face. I do embrace it with passion while I am performing on stage but that’s a different kind of a look — it’s more rustic. I wanted to know how I would look in a ultra feminine glamourous avatar like the models you see on the ramp. On a moment’s spur I wrote to TNS Beauty and I am so happy that they offered this experience,” she says.

Initiating the change
First step was to find the right make-up artist. Here we got lucky. Sibille Buchholzer-Juen, International Makeup Artist, Bourjois was visiting Mumbai and she agreed to be a catalyst in the whole process. Her vast international experience came in handy in transforming our young soldier. For hair, we contacted Nalini of Nalini and Yasmin and they put their entire trust in upbeat and funky hairstylist, Aarti Modi. Next step was to find that right glam dress. We chose designer Swapnil Shinde as his brand aspires to find a balance between sexy and elegant, without being boring. Perfect for our story!

 

In her words
After flipping through the glossy pages of TNS Beauty, I tried to imagine how I would look in a glam look? Just as a whim I wrote in to the editorial team requesting a glam makeover.

So when the D-Day finally arrived, I walked in the Baccarose Training Centre with no idea what was in store for me. There a whole team of experts was waiting for me. Young, talented designer Swapnil Shinde was there with a range of pretty very feminine dresses. After few trials, everyone agreed on a pink satin cocktail dress. PINK! I went through the fittings with a flutter in my heart as pink was a colour I hardly ever wear! As I stepped out, everyone applauded, I guess to boost my morale.

My real sojourn started with the stack of cosmetics and the line up of brushes I felt like a Bollywood actor in her vanity van. I was all set to submit my face in the deft hands of Sibille Buchholzer-Juen. She not only made my day special by giving me a chic feminine look but kept my morale up by complimenting me for my features (I never thought that I had those model-like looks). She decided to give a fresh spring look with lilac eyeshadows (Oh! It was first for me) and a pink shimmery lips. Once Sibille put her brushes down, I was astounded by the results. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that she was like a genie transforming my wishes into reality.

With complete make-up on, I surrendered my mane to the funky hairstylist Arti Modi, from Nalini of Nalini and Yasmin. With reds and yellows streaks dominating her hairstyle I could gather what was in store for me. But after a discussion with Sibille and Aparna (from the TNS Beauty Editorial team), she decided to give my tresses a sleeker look. She did have a tough time taming my stubborn strands which refused to stay in place.

Finally … the princess was ready to be shot (by the camera)! That I thought was just a click away but wait picture abhi baaki hai mere dost. Just as the photographer, Haigriv Talreja asked me to pose, I froze! I had no inkling what he wanted and seriously the shoot was going no where but hats off to everyone’s patience. To put me into a comfort zone, Arti played some house music on her cell phone. God Bless her! I definitely felt relaxed and there I could see a faint smile on the tired photographers face! YES! After that it was light ...camera and action! When Haigriv was sure that he got his shot, it was pack up time. One thing I learnt: Modelling is not as easy as it seems!

Thanks a ton TNS Beauty, you guys made my day!

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