Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Hair Trend: Big Bouncy Curls

On the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar India, Freida Pinto dressed up a pale pink dress with thick, lush curls. If hot rollers feel like too much effort, simply wrap freshly blown-out strands around 2-inch rollers. Once the hair has fully cooled, remove the curlers and brush through to keep the spirals from looking too-perfect.

Rec: Velcro Curlers

Monday, November 29, 2010

Gayatri Oberoi's Beauty Secrets (Vogue India)

I feel beautiful when: I have my husband and happy children around me.

Beauty must-haves: Moisturizer and sunscreen. I use Neutrogena Helioplex Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF 55 and Origins Youthopia Moisturizer.

One thing I just can’t do without is: My eyelash curler.

‘Get glamorous’ tip Smoky eyes: Eyeliner or kohl pencil under your eyes—smudged slightly for a smoky effect—and a hint of lip gloss will make you feel instantly glamorous.

Vanity bag essentials: For lips I like a natural look, I don’t wear dramatic colors. I love Clinique Lipsticks in Perfect Beige and Blushing Nude. For my face, I use M.A.C Studio Fix. I also use a M.A.C Eye Kohl for my eyes in a brown or black, and a pink or peach blush by Bobbi Brown or M.A.C And my eyelash curler!

Day and night looks: For the day, I put on M.A.C Studio Fix and pink or peach lipstick. I prefer a very simple, ‘no make-up’ look—no eyeshadow, just a brown eye pencil. At night, I like to go a little darker on my eyes. I’ll use an eyeliner or kohl pencil and maybe a glossy lipstick. If I’m wearing a really plain outfit, I’ll do smoky eyes, or if I’m wearing something more traditional I’ll apply some eyeshadow and make my eyes more defined.  

Beauty rituals: I keep my face clean at all times and I get facials once a month. The best rule to follow is, the less you do to your face the better—I just clean and wash it. I use Origins Never A Dull Moment brightening cleanser and foaming face wash. And I use their Origins Youthopia Moisturizer in the day and Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Cream at night. Sleep is most important, if I don’t get enough sleep it shows on my face.

Home recipe: I’ve grown up putting besan on my face, which is why I’m probably reaping the benefits now at an older age. My mother gave me a mixture of besan, turmeric and malai for eight to10 years,a nd that’s one ritual that I followed religiously. I don’t do it anymore though, now it’s more important to eat well and have healthy living habits.

Tress Talk: I try and oil my hair with coconut or extra virgin olive oil once every couple of weeks. I really enjoy the L’Oreal hair spa treatments because they really moisturize and hydrate your hair. If I’m not going out, I won’t blow dry my hair, I’ll just let it be.

Fitness regime: I work out three times a week with Zareen Watson. Her work outs work best for me.  Each session is for around 60 to 80 minutes comprising of a mix of cardio and toning.

Heaven scent: White Linen by Estée Lauder for the day, and Hermès Kelly Caleche at night.

Beauty icons: Madonna. I think she looks beautiful.  Beauty philosophy If a person is happy from within, that is reflected on the face and the body and in the mind. Happiness gives you a very unique beauty, it’s real beauty.  

Holiday destination: My husband and I love Paris in the winters and skiing in St Moritz. In summer, it’s Italy.

Spa favorites: I love a deep tissue massage. The best spa treatments have been at the Four Seasons Resort Mauritus, and One & Only Reethi Rah Spa in the Maldives.

Favourite designers: Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Roberto Cavalli, Marchesa and Valentino. I like Chanel for accessories and Christain Louboutin for shoes.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Make-up Trend: Bride & Beautiful (Vogue India)

With the wedding season in full swing, we're sure all brides-to-be are experiencing last minute jitters. Looking picture perfect on the most important day of your life can seem like a daunting task. They key to let your inner bride shine is to plan in advance to avoid any beauty emergencies on your big day. Every bride should plan her beauty kit keeping in mind the quality, longevity and actual use of the products. Your wedding day is not the time to try anything new, instead make sure you invest in tried and tested products which have worked well for you in the past.

From a basic hydrating moisturizer to a perfecting foundation primer, invest in high end products which are known for what they do. Avoid becoming the ghastly, pale over-foundation-ed bride and instead look for a foundation that offers sheer-natural coverage with a boost of light-reflecting particles. Because most Indian brides go the red-maroon route on their D-Day in terms of their attire, you should take time and find the perfect shade of red lipstick for your skin tone. Thoughtful planning can mean fewer touchups. After all you wouldn’t want to waste the most important day in your life worrying about non-waterproof mascara.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Make-up Trend: A Chocolate Affair (Vogue India)

As desis we have always been partial to brown. Blame it on our gorgeous skin colour, brown is officially the most popular shade in Indian vanity boxes. From that dark cocoa lipstick in your mum’s purse to that latest matte chocolate eye shadow you’ve been eyeing, there’s something about this shade that warms our heart and makes its way into our makeup kits. The smoky caramel eyes at Shantanu and Nikhil and Cavalli, the pale beige lips at Ekru and Chloe and the bronze and gold at Oscar de la Renta, this season celebrates the comeback of The New Brown.

For your eyes: use soft brown shades like toffee and caramel for an au natural, daytime look. Add a little sweep of bronze and gold and you’re ready for an evening out. We love Guerlain Écrin 6 Couleurs Rue Des Franco in Bourgeois, a 5 shade eye shadow palette with scrumptious shades in the brown family.

For your lips: a glossy pale beige lipstick is your best bet for wearing make up at work. Use a deeper, darker mocha or chocolate lipstick for a look that will take you from AM to PM. If you’re looking for the perfect matte brown lipstick we suggest YSL Rouge Volupte in Divine Mahogany.

For your nails: Bright colored nails are passé. For autumn paint your talons in shades of mushroom, sepia and cocoa. Try OPI’s Tickle My France-y or Leighton and Denny’s Brief Encounter and join the brown brigade.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Make-up Trend: Smoke & Sparkle (Vogue India)


This season saw the smokey eye transform into a whole new avatar. Out with the goth matte blacks and in with intense sparkly-smoky eye. “It's disco in a very, very modernized way”, says make-up artist Lucia Pica at Roksanda Ilincic. Whether it’s sexy and smudged at Gucci and Christian Lacroix or heavily charcoaled with metallic finish at Lanvin at Anupama Dayal, we just love this dazzling take on the classic smokey eye.  

Get the look: go from bland to glam with this intensely captivating look. Bottle greens, navy blues and deep charcoals are the key to this hot party look. Layer blue or green eye shadow over a matte black base. Sweep sparkling silver eye shadow in the inner corner of your eyes to finish the look. Alternatively, blend some emerald-green shimmer underneath like the models sported at Diane Von Furstenburg or do a full-on smokey with a deep burgundy shadow as seen on the catwalks of Roberto Cavalli. Make a shimmer stick your new BFF and use it on your lower lash line over your usual smoky eye for some heavy duty drama.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Make-up Trend: Copper-Gold Eye Shadow

Copper gold eye shadow is an instant eye brightener during the winter months. To key in to the trend, try dusting your lashlines with a copper tone on your lids and gold along your brow bones like Deepika Padukone did at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. You'll be surprised, the versatile metallic hue is flattering on nearly every skin tone.

Rec: Sephora Enchanted Eye Palette

Friday, November 19, 2010

Nail Trend: Bright Orange Nails

If you're mourning the last sweet days of summer, take a tip from Sonam Kapoor who painted her nails in a day glow orange shade at the Galliano Eyewear Event. It's the perfect hue to transition your nails from summer to fall since, orange is the it color of the season!
 
Rec: Sephora for O.P.I Nail Color in Hi Def

Monday, November 15, 2010

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's New L'oreal Ad

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Make-up Trend: Eggplant Nail Polish

Before you break out the holiday red nail polish you'll be wearing all season, take a cue from Rachel Roy at the Accessories Council ACE Awards in New York City and test drive a suitable transitional shade: deep, shiny purple. This hue tends to darken when dry, so select a color that's a little brighter and more magenta in the bottle. And as always, keep your nails short and rounded to avoid looking too goth.


Rec: China Glaze Nail Polish in Eggplant Creme VIII

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Make-up Trend: Smudgy Smoky Shadow

On the latest issue of Vogue India, Priyanka rocks a smudgy smoky eye with nude barely there lips. To get her look, lightly sweep charcoal gray eye shadow on your lids, extending and darkening it just above the crease. Then draw it along your lower lash line, softening any harsh lines with your fingers. With your fingers, apply silver eye shadow under your brows for a subtle highlight. Using an angled brush to trace black eye liner on the top and bottom lashes, thickening the line just a bit at the outer corners. Finish off with 3-4 coats of mascara and you're all set.

Rec: Dior 5-Color Designer All-In-One Artistry Palette in Smoky Design