Get catty with cat-eye makeup!

Remember the classic cat-eye makeup of Asha Parekh, Sadhna, Sharmila Tagore and Helen that elongates the eye and gives it a feline look? If the style was popular back then, even now it continues to be a favourite for actresses over the years and, hence, of their fans off-screen, makeup gurus say.

Capital-based makeover expert Aashmeen Munjaal says it is "evergreen".

"Cat-eye makeup is evergreen in its own way as it manages to make our actresses look stylish, sexy and Indian. Actresses like Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, and Helen carried this look well on screen," Munjaal told IANS.

It is a versatile style. Even as Sharmila's sari-clad look complemented it in 1969 film "Aradhana", the cat-eye style also suited cabaret queen Helen, who sported it with a red and black frill dress in the hit song "Piya tu ab toh aaja".

Inspired by veteran actresses as well as new age ones like Bipasha Basu and Anushka Sharma, a lot of regular clients approach makeup studios to dress them well for occasions and theme parties.

"There have been times when clients specially come for makeup similar to Bipasha Basu and Aishwarya Rai. They just show a picture and tell us to give them the same makeup," said Bollywood beauty and makeup expert Puja Taluja.

Munjaal too gets such requests, but if you love this look, and don't wish to run to a nearby salon before every party, there's an easy way to do it at home.

Samantha Kochhar, managing director of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies, explained how it can be done for a day look and in another way, which catches others' eyes at night events.

"For a day look, take an extra smooth and creamy gel eyeliner and an angled brush. Gently drag the brush starting from the inner corner of the eyes outwards. Take note of going slightly thicker as you move out. Stop at the outer corner of the eye," said Kochhar.

"Then, start the tail in the opposite direction, with the tip of the brush facing your temple, and draw until you connect the two lines. Either leave the cat eye thin and pointy or thicken it up by adding more layers of liner to the shape," she added.

The evening look should be all about thickness and shimmer.

"Just extend the line and make it thicker. You can also add liner underneath, especially in the waterline and layer some black shimmery shadow on top of everything for even more impact," she explained. Voila, you'll be ready!

But don't miss to match the best lip colour with it to complete your look.

Actresses like Sharmila and Saira Banu wore nude lip colours with cat-eye makeup in their times, but now actresses have become bolder and experimental.

For instance, Anushka carried the look with bright red lips at a recent award function. And she undoubtedly turned heads.

But each to his own, said Kochhar, adding: "Actresses are now experimenting with soft corals to more fun colours like bright pink, neon orange, deep wine and reds. But this makeup looks best with lips left with nude and pale colours," added the beauty expert.

While creating the feline look for Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez recently, Munjaal chose a light shade of pink to do up her lips.

"Jacqueline was here for a wedding exhibition, so I gave her a subdued version of cat- eye makeup with light pinkish lip colour," she said.

So make your pick, and get set for a catty party!

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in <mailto:natalia.n@ians.in>)