Haldi, Mehendi, Sangeet, Wedding: Planning a Makeup Look for Each Function

Because the functions are different events. A daytime Haldi, an afternoon Mehendi, a Sangeet that ends late and an evening reception all have different light, outfits and photographs. One look repeated across all of them either looks too heavy in daylight or too flat at night.

Planning them together also keeps your photo album consistent. Each look can change, while your skin, brows and overall style stay recognisably yours.

The lightest look of the wedding, done before the ceremony and built to get wet. The paste and water will land on it, so there's no point in full coverage; what you want is skin that looks fresh in photos and eyes that won't run.

• Well-moisturised skin first, because haldi paste dries the skin out
• A light, waterproof base with a dewy finish, not matte
• Waterproof mascara and liner
• A tinted lip that still looks good as it fades
• Setting spray to finish
• Hair tied back and easy to wash afterwards

Gently. Remove the makeup and paste with an oil or a cleanser and lukewarm water, and use milk or curd to lift the yellow stain. Don't scrub, especially if the wedding is the next day.

Scrubbing leaves red, sensitive patches, and those show through a bridal base far more than a faint yellow tint does. The same goes for the day before the Haldi: no waxing, threading, facials or new products, so your skin is calm for every function that follows.

A fresh, colourful look that matches the outfit. Mehendi outfits are often bright, and the bride sits for a long time while the henna is applied, so the makeup should feel comfortable and photograph well in daylight or soft evening light.

Pick up one colour from the outfit for the eyes or lips, and keep the rest soft. Flowers in the hair suit this function well.

A long-lasting evening look made for dancing. The Sangeet is usually the most energetic night of the wedding, with stage lights and a lot of movement, so the base needs to be set well and the hairstyle needs to stay in place.

This is the function where you can be most playful: more shimmer, a bolder eye, or a colour you wouldn't wear on the wedding day.

The wedding day carries the full bridal look, and it has to hold from the ceremony to the last photograph. The bridal booking covers makeup, hair styling and saree or dupatta draping, and the look takes around three hours. See bridal makeup.

I do bridal looks for different traditions, including Maharashtrian and nauvari bridal looks and Marwadi bridal looks, so tell me about your ceremony and outfit at the consultation and we'll plan around them.

The reception is usually an evening event with a different outfit, often more glamorous. Read my guide to reception makeup and venue lighting.

Plan a change of look rather than starting again. I normally stay for around 30 minutes after a look is finished, and I always stay when there's a change of look. Tell me the full day's schedule when you book.

Yes, and it keeps the looks consistent. At Makeover By Alfina I cover the bridal look, engagement and Roka, and party and occasion makeup, plus family and siders for everyone else, at your home or venue anywhere in Pune and beyond.

For the family, I do the bride and my team does everyone else. With seven to eight people, we can do around 15 to 20 family looks for one function. Please plan the family list in advance: last-minute additions on the day are the one thing that can squeeze the bride's time, and I always protect that first.