how to dress your best to make heads turn!

This Navratri, get dressed to kill!

Yes, it’s that time of the year again when the LBDs (little black dresses) and tuxedos are replaced with panelled ghagras, backless cholis and stylish kedias. We update you on the latest trends and tell you how to dress your best to make heads turn!

OH-SO-TRENDY-YET TRADITIONAL BRAIDS
    While you’re all set to sport your outfit, embellished with gaudy tassels, mirror work and colourful embroidery, a wrong hairstyle will do more than just ruin your look. “Opt for a hairstyle that you’re not only comfortable dancing in but also draws attention to your costume,” suggests Harish Bhatia, hair and makeup professional. Seen rolling down countless runways and on the red carpet, braids remain a hottest hair trend this Navratri. We bring you two looks that will flatter your outfit and give you that perfect-for-the-occasion look: 

FOR A FISHTAIL BRAID WITH A FRONT POOF: 

 1. Section out your bangs with the long end of a comb. The more hair you use for the poof, the bigger poof you can create. 

2. Secure that section of your hair with a hair clip. 

3. Make a ponytail out of the remaining hair using a clear elastic.  

4. Split the ponytail into two equal sections and hold tight with one section on each hand. 

5. Take a small section of hair from the outer side of the section on your right and overlap it with the one on the left. Keep these overlapping sections small for more intrinsic braid. 

6. Do the same with the other section of your hair and continue till you reach the end. Now, fasten it with a hair tie. 

7. To create a poof of your frontal hair, remove the clip and comb the hair upward to remove tangles. Hold the end of your hair with one hand while you back-tease the bang area. To back-tease, insert the teeth of the comb into back of the bang area two to three inches from the scalp. Slide the comb downward to your scalp. Repeat the process two or three more times to get a full lift.  

8. Spray the back-teased portion of your hair with hairspray. Hold your hair up until the hairspray dries.  

9. Pull the hair back gently toward the crown of your head. Slide the bangs forward gently once they are pulled back until you reach the height of the bangs you desire.  

10. Pin the bangs to your scalp with bobby pins. Add additional height or make any adjustments using the long end of your comb. Secure the poof with a light coat of hairspray.  

11. Once the poof is ready, create a classic plait from the remaining hair of the poof. 

12. Encircle the plait around the elastic of the fishtail braid so that the elastic is no longer visible and accessorise your hair with colourful and antique silver jewellery. 

 
FOR A WRAP-ON CLASSIC BRAID: 1. For this one, you need to split your hair into three sections.  

2. For the first section, use the end of a rat-tail comb to section off the hair that lies above the forehead and back about two inches. Comb it upward, holding it with your other hand. 

3. Create a poof of the desired height and spray some hairspray. 

4. Make a circle from that section of your hair and fasten it with a hair pin.  

5. Divide the remaining hair into two neat sections.  

6. Hold one section to create a classic plait out of it.  

7. For a classic plait, separate the section into three equal strands. Hold two strands in your right hand with your palm facing up. Hold the third strand in your left hand. 

8. Turn your right hand over so your palm is now facing down. This makes the right strand now in the middle and the middle strand on the right. 

9. Switch hands and hold right strand in the right hand and the middle strand and left strands in the left hand with palm facing up. Turn your left hand until your palm is facing down.  

10. Repeat this until there is little hair remaining. Fasten with elastic.  

11. Now, hold the third and the last section of hair in your hand and spray it with a heatresistant product. 

12. Curl this section of the hair with the help of tongs and wrap curled hair on the plait. Fasten it with a band. 

RAAS-GARBA TATTOOS Temporary wear-andwash tattoos have always been a huge hit among the youth. Nail-polish tattoos and brush-painted ones in acrylic and pearl colours are the most popular ones. For added
bling, these tattoos are studded with kundan or highlighted with sparkle colours. This year, mahendi or henna tattoos are likely to be the next big thing. Mahendi tattoos are more long lasting than the brush-painted ones which make them worthy of the money you spend behind getting them designed from a tattoo artist. “Men as well as women prefer tattoos portraying figures playing dandiya raas, goddess Durga’s nine avatars as well as designs that incorporate flowers,” says tattoo artist Vikas Malani. Tattoo artists charge anything between Rs 150 to Rs 1,000 depending upon the complexity of the design and the size of the tattoo. Women get them plastered on their stomach and backs, while men prefer to flaunt their tattooed arms.