It’s summer, the living is easy and all you want is a blast of freshness that speaks of sultry evenings, casual afternoons and journeys without borders. Looking to encapsulate all this and more into a bottle, so you can take it out and transform your mood with a single whiff? You won’t go wrong with CK Free, the latest men’s fragrance from Calvin Klein, which captures all the romance of a free-spirited romp through the season of sunshine, making it perfect for the sexy, casual and uninhabited guy who doesn’t believe in any limitations, is master of his own destiny and revels in living life to the fullest. It is an aromatic warm woody fragrance, that’s replete with notes of Thailand star anise, jackfruit, absinthe, juniper berry, suede, tobacco leaves, coffee absolute, South African buchu, patchouli, Oakwood, Texan cedar wood and Costa Rican ironwood. No, don’t try to conjure it up in your head – it’s a combination that deserves to be experienced first hand, so go to the nearest counter and actually take a whiff!! Trust me, the discovery will be worth the journey.
CK Free: Summer and Sunsets
Aishwarya & Sabayasachi: The Perfect Partnership
Finally, finally, finally…. Aishwarya Rai showcased a sari at Cannes and did it (almost) perfectly!! She walked the red carpet for the premiere of Outrage draped in a stunning burnished gold creation by Sabyasachi, accompanied by hubby Abhishek Bachchan. Dramatic eye makeup, sculpted cheeks, nude lips (see, we told you the ‘play up one feature’ trick works wonders!!), minimal jewellery and a tiny bindi made her look completely different, far prettier and much, much better than the weird blends of Day 1 & Day 2. So, why “almost”? I still think that she looks far better with open hair – the tightly pulled back style makes her look too severe, a tad matronly and older than usual.
Cannes Day 5: Aishwarya rocks; Abhishek…Uh????
There is just something about Cannes that seems to bring out the worst in Aish – otherwise known as one of the world’s most beautiful and stylish woman. Except, maybe, sort of, these last two days. The black Hervé Leger black dress, complete with understated makeup, minimal jewellery and tumbling curls totally rocked at a photo call for Raavan. The arm candy could have done with some (lots!!) of work though. Red leather jacket, blue denims, black shoes – exactly what were you thinking Abhishek??
Aishwarya Inching Forward in the Cannes Fashion Stakes
Another day, another ensemble… this time a ruched magenta chiffon gown from Gucci, with a twisted halter neck and satin waist band that skims and hugs her figure in just the right places. Gone is the puffy look, the hair is elegant and swept back into a sleek ponytail – thankfully, no beehive, though I still think she should go softer with open curls – and almost nude eyes and lip, offset by bronzed skin and sculpted cheekbones. Yes, understatement works, as Aish seems to have realised on the third day of the Cannes Film Festival, where she walked the red carpet for the premiere of Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, accompanied by her mother, Vrinda Rai.
Photo credit: VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images
And now… Deepika @ Cannes
Voluntary disclosure – I am not a huge fan of Deepika Padukone, courtesy a couple of past interviews where we haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye, but she does look good in this Rohit Bal saree. The makeup could have been a tad more muted – possibly nude lips rather than the copper-bronze overkill might have done the trick – but the overall effect is much better than Aishwarya’s to say the least.
