Blue Lip Gloss & Swirling Prints: Guerlain by Emilio Pucci 2012

February 27, 2012 By 1 Comment

To me, the very thought of Pucci conjures up images of the gorgeous Italian Riviera, complete with sleek yachts, gloriously sunny days and sexy women in ultra-cool dresses. As for Guerlain, the mind automatically wanders over to super-chic Paris boulevards, old world glamour and sophisticated women who live intriguing lives. So, what happens when you put them together? Simple – you get the best of both worlds! And that’s the driving force behind summer’s most exciting makeup wizardry – the Guerlain by Emilio Pucci Collection, which is a marriage of the two most glorious style icons of our times.

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Les Meteorites

Pucci has pulled out one of it’s most iconic archival prints – the Winter Motif, whose swirling swathes of blue, green and turquoise are perfect for conjuring the sky and sea on a gorgeous summery day – to package the sunny Les Meteorites. Can’t wait to possess one of these, though I don’t know how the turquoise blue balls would play up against the skin?

Talking of blue, the  Terra Azzura Khol is most definitely a must-have – the rich, ever-so-slighty Crayola hue is perfect for giving your eyes a touch of summer.

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Terra Azzurra Khol

And then there is the show stopper – the Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder and Blush. Sigh!!!!

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Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder and Blush

Amongst the lip glosses, there is a vivid blue one – called Porto Azzurra – which I find really intriguing. Have never seen anything like this before. Will swatch it as soon as I can get my hands on one.

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Lip Glosses

Then there are the nail polishes, eye shadows and other paraphernalia – each one more brilliant than the other. This is one year that summer can’t come soon enough!

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Get Ready for CK One Makeup

February 25, 2012 By 2 Comments

Remember the ’90s? When heroin chic was all the rage and everyone lathered up in CK One? For those looking to relive the era of free spirits, your chance might be on the way with CK One launching its first-ever makeup collection this spring. The 130-unit colour cosmetics line will include ‘Look Real’ foundations and concealers; vivid ‘Add Intensity’ eye shadows, liners, lipsticks, and glosses; ‘Define Yourself’ sculpting tools like blush, bronzer, and mascara; and multitasking products like the 3-in-1 Face Makeup, which is a serum-primer-base hybrid.

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The USP? Thomas Burkhardt, Vice President of Marketing for Calvin Klein Fragrances told WWD that, “CK One color is not about transformation or dramatization. It’s about looking real, defining yourself and adding intensity.”

Oh! And also the fact that, in keeping with the CK One ethos, all the makeup will be “unisex”! The minimalistic matte black-and-white packaging (which actually seems inspired by MAC’s signature monochromes and clean lines, don’t you think?) should help the range appeal to the menfolk (though, personally, I am going to hold off putting the gorgeous red lipstick on top of hubbies’ birthday gift list for the moment).

Plus, the prices are affordable enough for some experimentation (products will start at US$13 – which is quite brilliant!). Don’t worry, boys – if you choose to join in the fun, rest assured that your secrets will be safe with us :)

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Channelling Marilyn Monroe

February 23, 2012 By 3 Comments

marilyn, monroe, marilyn monroe, beauty, MAC, makeup, 1950s

My Life With Marilyn, Smash and Oscar nominee Michelle Williams channeling Monroe on the cover of GQ… there is definitely a Marilyn Monroe revival in the making. And now, MAC is jumping on the bandwagon as well, with the announcement of a 30-piece makeup line inspired by the ’50s diva. The limited edition collection will be created in partnership with Authentic Brands Group, which owns Marilyn Monroe LLC. It will include eye shadows, lipsticks, liners and nail polishes that will hit the shelves around October 2012. Too long to wait? Try these tips to channel the iconic bombshell right now:

  • Though Marilyn was very secretive about her beauty routines, it’s believed that she washed her face with Shu Uemera cleansing oil and then would splash it 15 times with cold water to seal the pores.
  • Her skin was always flawless, with just thin layers of Vaseline, powder and Elizabeth Arden’s Pat-a-Creme to create a glowing base. Today, I would recommend MAC’s Prep + Prime to create a smooth base and help makeup stay on for longer. Next, apply a light layer of foundation and dot on concealer where needed. Follow with a translucent loose powder to set everything.
  • marilyn, monroe, marilyn monroe, beauty, MAC, makeup, 1950s, eyes, cosmeticsMarilyn’s eyes were always one of her signature features. Whitey Snyder, her makeup artist, always used a white kohl pencil to line the inside rims, making them appear larger. For added effect, continue the white line outwards for about ¼ inch, angling slightly upwards. Add false lashes and loads of black mascara.
  • Skip the black eyeliner… Marilyn usually wore brown or dark brown. Draw narrow lines very close to the top and bottom lash line and continue outwards; make sure the two lines don’t meet. Another trick: Marilyn always applied a very thin line of gold liner above the brown on the upper lid. Keep it thin for a just-there glam effect!
  • Eyeshadow should be subtle – a backdrop to all the other drama rather than the main show. Keep it simple with light brown shadow in the crease of the eyelid and the outer area below the brow. Then add a luminescent off-white to the centre of the lid, brow bone and in the corner of the eye.
  • For her intensely sculpted features, Marilyn depended on pink or coral blush swept  below the cheekbones, on the temples, and around and under the jawline. Follow with a shimmer highlight on top of the cheekbone all the way to the corner of the eye, on top of the chin, on the t-zone and on the forehead.
  • marilyn, monroe, marilyn monroe, beauty, MAC, makeup, 1950s, eyes, cosmeticsFinally, those unforgettable lips – to create that signature pout, Marilyn always used a mixture of multiple shades. To keep it more do-able in the 21st century, fill lips with a red liner and layer on the red lipstick (with a brush for precision) that best complements your skin tone (if you want Marilyn’s exact hue, try Guerlain’s Kiss Kiss Lipstick in Insolence de Rouge). Shadow the colour for voluptuousness, keeping it darker on the outer edges and lighter in the middle. Then add a thin layer of gloss, finishing with a dab of highlighter in the centre of the bottom lip and top of the cupid’s bow.
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Absolutely Everything You Need to Know About BB Creams

February 18, 2012 By 3 Comments

Yesterday, I spent 20 minutes of beauty time just prepping my face. The order of cosmetics: Serum, eye cream, moisturiser, sunscreen, pore-minimiser, primer, foundation, concealer. Eight layers of products to take up time and clog the skin.

Today, I headed out in the hunt of the “new” BB creams that promise to simplify your makeup into one simple step. Sounds too good to be true? Well! Sometimes miracles happen and BBs are one of them. After today’s shopping spree, I can vouch for that!

The Top BB Picks

So, what exactly are BBs? This multi-tasking cream is differently referred to as Beauty Balm, Blemish Base, Beblesh Balm or Blemish Balm and it’s aim is to combine several different skincare and makeup steps into one product, thereby saving time, space, money – and probably your skin!

How did they originate? BBs go back to Germany in the 1950s, when Dr. Christine Schrammek created a healing skin salve for her post-peel and laser surgery patients. The idea was to soothe the skin, camouflage splotchy or inflamed patches and create a shield against the sun. BBs became a big hit in the Asian (specially Japanese and Korean) markets, thanks to drop-dead gorgeous Korean actress Song Hye Kyo singing their praises. Today, suddenly, they are all over the world.

BB Creams: All-in-One

What do they do? BBs can do any or all of the following, depending on which one you choose: Hydrate, nourish, fight acne, prevent premature ageing, brighten, smooth skin texture, cover blemishes, even out skin tone, banish fine lines and wrinkles, add luminosity, protect against UVA/UVB rays… in short, they are the Swiss Army knives of the beauty industry.

Are they the same as tinted moisturisers? Definitely not. In fact, they fall into the category of cosmeceuticals, which combine makeup with serious skincare. That’s because BBs are often packed with potent skin ingredients like collagen-boosting peptides and pigment-busters. They also contain silicones, which are used in primers to make your skin seem smooth and refined.

How to use them? They tend to go on quite easily – no sponge, brush or massive blending required. Simply emulsify in the palm of your hands and massage into your skin in small circles.

How do they measure up? I tried the Maybelline BB and it felt quite nice – neither too dry nor too heavy. It spread and blended very easily, almost like a tinted moisturiser. The finish was dewy (which might not work well for very oily complexions) and my skin looks hydrated. Coverage was enough to even out the lighter freckles and unify my complexion but it’s not enough to completely hide away major blemishes (as evidenced by the monster on my skin). Skin also looked brighter and I did not need an illuminator.

So, are they worth it? Well! I am definitely not ditching my regular serum and moisturiser. But I like the included SPF, coverage level and ease of application. The BB is sure to become my go-to product for daily daywear, on-the-go touch-ups and travelling. It’s also a good nighttime or party option for those who want a light product or don’t have any significant coverage or blemish issues. However, I would definitely need a heavier foundation and concealer to tackle these.

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Newsflash: LVMH Buys Stake in Fabindia

February 18, 2012 By 1 Comment

Fabindia Fabrics

It’s been referred to as the ‘Fabric of India’ – a perfect label for a brand that’s led the revolution of taking first Indian fashion, then the country’s extensive beauty knowledge and indigenous health recipes across the world.

And today, Fabindia – ‘India’s largest private platform for products that are made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes’ (it works with over 40,000 craft-based rural producers) is on it’s way to becoming part of a global empire.

L Capital Asia – a private equity fund backed by LVMH and Groupe Arnault – has acquired an 8 per cent stake in this ethnic-wear brand, sparking a plethora of debates: What does it mean for such an intensely indigenous and sustainable practises-based brand to become a part of the LVMH empire, which is seen to be more about luxury and bottom lines? Does this acquisition of a mass-market “fast-fashion” brand (Fabindia is the country’s indigenous answer to H&M and Zara) indicate a shift in LV’s traditional uber-luxe targets? Will Fabindia show a change in direction from it’s half-a-century-old legacy of organic materials, ethnic raw materials, sustainable production and affordable pricing? In short, is this a smart move for LV? And will it corrode Fabindia’s traditional, crafts-driven base or infuse more funds into the brand, thereby increasing scope for growth?

In short, is this a step towards the growth or the end of an indigenous, rural crafts-based platform. What do you think?

Fabindia Beauty Range

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