Lakme Bridal Make Up Competition 2009

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PRESS RELEASE

8th June 2009

Lakme, the international cosmetic brand and the 'leader and expert' in the beauty industry organized "Lakme Bridal Make Up Competition 2009", which took place on 3^rd July 2009 in Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Kathmandu. This year too, Lakme, restating its commitment in providing a platform to beauticians from all over Nepal to showcase their talent, organized this glamorous event in association with Saundarya Kala Byawasayi Sangh, Nepal. The event, unlike regular fashion shows featuring professional models, was a show with a difference, which showcased ladies from varied ethnic backgrounds, who had been transformed into beautiful brides. Lakme Bridal Make up Competition 2009 promises to provide a channel to all the aspiring beauticians of today with this initiative.

Mr. Santu Tamang, a renowned makeup artist of Nepali Film Industry selected top twenty beauticians from among 223 participants in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Pokhara and Kathmandu. These twenty finalists competed in the grand finale at Kathmandu.

The top twenty beauticians were:

Soita Shrestha, Jyoti Sharma, Santoshi Shrestha, Jamuna Shrestha, Basudha Bajimaya, Rekha Upreti, Rajesh Lama, Kabita Thapa, Sunita Maharjan, Bimala Khatiwada, Sarala Thapa, Rina Maharjan, Pratigya Rana, Shova Rana, Pooja Pandey, Shanta Rai, Neelam Ale (Gurung), Onisha Mulmi, Samita Dhonju and Meera Shrestha

The day of the wedding is perhaps the most-awaited day in the life of every Nepali woman. Nepal has a diverse palette of ethnic groups and every group has its own unique style in which the bride dresses and carries her make up. On the grand finale, the task of the beauticians was to decorate ladies from various backgrounds with different features, in a bridal style they chose. They demonstrated a bridal makeover of ethnic groups ranging from the Himalayan to the Terai region. They used a diverse range of Lakme cosmetics to give that perfect bridal touch to their models.

The judges' panel consisted of Sneh Rana, Jharana Bajracharya and Anu Bindra. The judging criteria depended on make-up, hairstyle and the bridal dress.

The winner of Lakme Bridal Make up Competition 2009 Mr. Rajesh Lama from Kathmandu bagged an attractive cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and also got an opportunity to get the Lakme salon experience in Delhi. The first runner up Mrs. Rina Maharjan from Kathmandu received cash prize of Rs. 25,000 and a chance to demonstrate his/her skill on a national television channel. Similarly, the second runner up Mrs. Meera Shrestha from Bhairahawa received cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a chance to become a make-up artist of the cover page model in a leading magazine.

Many Nepali celebrities like Arunima Lamsal, Usha Khadgi, Rubi Rana graced this fun-filled evening, adding glamour to the entire show. Mrs. Kamala Shrestha, President of Saundarya Kala Byawasayi Sangh also demonstrated the latest trends in make up. The audience got to witness dazzling dance performances on few hit Nepali numbers, by the aspiring choreographer Hema Shrestha and her troupe. The audience also enjoyed a thrilling dance party that took place after the bridal show.

On the whole, Lakme Bridal Make up Competition 2009, sponsored by Lakme and organized by Saundarya Kala Byawasayi Sangh Nepal, was a complete package for people to see and believe in the power of transformation, makeup brings on. True to its theme, the beauticians demonstrated how every person, not just the lucky few bestowed with amazing features and looks, has a chance to look truly beautiful. The beauticians proved the breathtaking impact that beautifully applied makeup with Lakme color cosmetics has, to transform every bride into her most gorgeous self.