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Makeup Guru



GET THE LOOK: Don’t think that eyeliner has to be fierce—it can add just the right touch of glamour, as it did for Molly Sims or Kareena Kapoor. in the past I have created this look very easily. Recently, for Molly Sims, Makeup artist Stevi Christine, of Warren-Tricomi L.A., created this look using white shimmer on the inner corners of the eye and a silvery-gray on the lid. “I accentuated her eyes by adding a navy-black kohl eyeliner on the top and lined the rim of the inside,” says Christine.

INSIDER TRICK: Adds Christine, “Make sure you keep your eyeliner in your clutch because you will want to touch it up when you hit the ladies’ room!” You’ll want to re-trace the line near the inner corner, which can dissipate because of the proximity to eye moisture.

BUY ONLINE NOW: Jillian Dempsey for Avon Kohl liner, $6
Rec: Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in Star Black



We all love the effect and look of a smoky eye, but sometimes it can be too heavy. Take a lesson from Priyanka Chopra, whose beautiful eyes had just enough smoky by using heavy brown shades instead of grays and blacks.

Brush a nude shadow from the lash line up past the crease and then lined the upper lashline with Lancome's Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee and smudged the line. Set the entire lid with a cocoa-hued shadow and finished by rimming the lower inner line with the Khol pencil and a coat of Lancome's Oscillation mascara.

Rec: Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in Impress



We all love the effect and look of a smoky eye, but sometimes it can be too heavy. Take a lesson from Priyanka Chopra, whose beautiful eyes had just enough smoky by using heavy brown shades instead of grays and blacks.

Brush a nude shadow from the lash line up past the crease and then lined the upper lashline with Lancome's Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee and smudged the line. Set the entire lid with a cocoa-hued shadow and finished by rimming the lower inner line with the Khol pencil and a coat of Lancome's Oscillation mascara.

Rec: Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in Impress



Seasonless Beauty Secrets

Some makeup tips are so good, they work any time of the year.

DEFINE YOUR BROWS. Use mascara to accentuate your shape and conceal any patchy gaps. We like working with Estée Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara, $19.50, since it has a mousselike texture.

CONCEAL DARK CIRCLES. Dust a thin line of taupe shadow under your lower lashes to offset any bluish under-eye circles, says Matin. “It’s an insider trick if you’re running low on concealer,” he adds. Try Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Duo in Iced Coffee, $8.49.

PLUMP YOUR LIPS. Sparkly eye shadow dabbed in the center of your lips gives the effect of fullness. “The shimmer draws light, so your lips seem to bow out naturally,” explains Miller. We like Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Primrose, $22.

GET GLOWY. Mix a pinch of metallic eye shadow into face lotion to warm your complexion. Our pick: American Beauty Copper Glow, $15.50.



Instantly Alluring Eyes

Maximize your blush. Take a creamy rose blush, and apply it in a half-moon shape under your brow bone and over the tops of your cheekbones. “You’ll get a subtle sheen that draws attention to your eyes and makes your face glow,” explains Page.

Tap lip gloss under your brows. Sounds crazy, but patting on a soft, shimmery pink gloss helps highlight and lift your eyes, says Paish. Use a nonsticky formula (so your lashes don’t get stuck!), and blend in.

Wear contrasting eye-shadow colors. It’s a hot trend for fall, but just work with what you already have. Apply a bright, intense hue (like purple) on your upper lids, then drag a softer hue (pearly green) along your lower lash line, recommends Page.

Put bronzer on your lashes. Comb loose bronze powder through lashes instead of mascara. “You’ll get a subtle sparkle that’s so sexy for night since it catches the light,” says Miller. One swipe should do it — you don’t want any excess flakes to fall under your eyes. Try MAC Pigment Powders, $19.50.

There’s been a question of longevity hanging over the future of mineral makeup, one of the hottest trends in the past five years. At least a partial answer may arrive in February, when Physicians Formula launches its first 100 percent mineral brightening bronzer and face brightener under the Mineral Wear franchise, which contains over 70 items for the face.

“There’s a profusion of mineral products, but since there are no regulations, people put a sticker saying that its mineral without adhering to the same ethics across the board,” said Ingrid Jackel, Physicians Formula’s chairman and chief executive officer. “It’s about working with beauty educators to help educate consumers about what mineral really means.”

Jackel said she saw an opportunity for long-wearing mineral makeup while studying the $170 million face makeup market in food, drug and mass stores. She also worries about market erosion caused by the flood of knockoffs.

“We’re progressively seeing more and more of these cheaper mineral products, but as consumers get more educated about the mineral category they will seek more credible mineral lines, like with what we saw with the green category,” said Jackel. “Our research showed that only 37 percent of women 18 and older are mineral users, so there is definitely an opportunity to target this age range.”

After launching three years ago, the Mineral Wear assortment includes 70 items for the face. The company wanted to introduce its first 100 percent mineral talc-free brightening bronzer and face brightener pressed powders under the Mineral Wear franchise. The proprietary formula is composed of light-reflecting micronized minerals such as pink, orange and white sapphire, green tourmaline and citrine. Designed to even out skin tone and add a radiant glow, the items will feature a new label to explain that the products are 100 percent mineral. Launching in February, both will be available in four shades and retail for $13.95.

“There’s a whole trend going towards radiance and brighter skin in mineral products — it’s about achieving a healthy overall glow without showing off fine lines and wrinkles,” said Jackel.

Capitalizing on the success of the tinted moisturizer launch in Organic Wear, Physicians Formula wanted to give consumers a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 under the Mineral Wear franchise to offer consumers a lightweight formula that still had mineral benefits. Available in four shades, the tinted moisturizer will retail for $12.95. The company will also introduce a talc-free mineral concentrate designed as a three-in-one “touch up tool,” acting as a concealer, powder and foundation.



Makeup artist Cory Walia used Mark products on Deepika Padukone, including Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo (a rich, black shade) and four coats of plumping mascara to get her eye-enhancing look.

Experiment a little with liquid liner. If the line looks uneven or too heavy, top it with the eyeshadow you applied to your lids—flaws are hidden and the thickness of the black is toned down.

Rec: mark On the Edge Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner in Cleo

MAKEUP TRENDS - For on the go...(only)

Best foundation choice for the "Amatuer" Pure mineral foundations like Raw Minerals, Sheer Cover, or Bare Minerals. They provide a sheer, more natural look without all the chemicals, additives, and preservatives that most foundations have.

Worst foundation choice (when considering weight) – Cake or stick makeup. These choices may work well for women who have blemishes to hide but for the average woman they are just too heavy.

Best blush choiceRevlon’s Pinch Me blush gel. This sheer liquid allows women to control the amount of color added. Like its name implies, the color looks natural, just like the cheeks were just pinched.

Worst blush choice Any type of cake or stick blushes. They go on too heavy and look anything but natural.

Best mascaraAlmay One Coat. This tried and true mascara out performs most others on the market; old or new.

Worst mascaraRevlon’s 3D Mascara. This one promises to make lashes longer, fuller, and thicker. Unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to its claims.

Best lip color choiceBare Escentuals Buxom Lips. Women have longed for a lip color that plumps, delivers beautiful color, and leaves behind a beautiful glossy finish. Bare Escentuals answered their prayers with Buxom Lips. It isn’t just good. It’s sensational!

Worst lip color choice Black lipstick. It’s okay for teens; however...you gotta be able to pull this off...

BEST OVERALL MAKEUP TREND Focusing on one aspect of the face. This year, women were advised to play up the eyes or the lips; not both at the same time. Women should always play to their strengths and this trend reinforced that premise.

Keep in mind that best and worst choices are somewhat subjective. Products work differently on various women. This list was composed from a focus group of women between the ages of 16 and 73 with different colors, types, and textures of hair and skin.

Stayed tuned for subsequent articles that cover the best and the worst trends in skin care, dieting, exercising, jewelry and fashion.

(image from www.chanel.com)


If there is one word that sums up the makeup trends for fall 2008, it is "warmth". We had grey from fall 2007 and cool lilac and blue from spring 2008, and now we are greeted by opulent gold and red.


Fields of Gold

Chanel leads the pack with a collection with gold in the eye palette, lip gloss, face highlighter, and nail color. It is a decadent shade of gold, although it can be too warm for some complexions. If this is the case with you, items from Lavshuca (Grade Color Select in GD-1) and Shiseido The Makeup (Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold) might suit you better.


(Lavshuca Grade Color Select in GD-1 (among swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)


(Shiseido The Makeup Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)


Gold is also seen in Vernis Crème de Nacres, two nail products in Lancôme's fall 2008 collection that are applied with a special applicator. (I am not entirely certain whether they are sold in North America, but they are already available in the UK.)


(Lancôme Vernis Crème de Nacres)
(image from www.lancome.jp)



Shades of Red

If you are fans of purples, there are still some nice shades from Givenchy, Clarins, Awake and Sonia Rykiel as these beautiful hues continue the trend in spring 2008. But many purples are taking on a much warmer tone for fall 2008 and turning into plum purples. We are also seeing shades of burgundy and red, which, just like gold, are the key shades for this fall.

For plum and burgundy, which still somewhat echo the spring trend, look into the palettes from Laura Mercier, EST, and Magie Deco:



(Laura Mercier Eye Color Trio in Mauve Sunset)
(image from www.lauramercier.com)



(EST Emotional Aura Eyes in 07)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)


(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 021 Bordeaux Shadow)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)


Apart from gold, Chanel's fall 2008 collection also features delicious plums in Rouge Hydrabase in Fantastic Plum and Nail Colour in Fantastic.

While warmer reds are seen in major Japanese brands (like Lunasol and SUQQU below), Dior, always a trendsetter, features a muted warm red in 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #673 Earth Tones:


(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)


(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)


(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 673 Earth Tones)
(image from www.sephora.com)



Mix & Match


If you love experimenting with makeup trends, why not try wearing gold and warm purples/reds to sport both trends at the same time?

(Magie Deco Pure Color in GD076 and RD470)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)


(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme in 015)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)


(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 54)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)


If reds around the eyes don't suit you, try gold with deep cool violets. It is a beautiful and modern way to wear violets. I am thinking about trying the items below:


(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)


(Lavshuca Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 (among the swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)


Last but not least, the two makeup looks for fall/holiday 2008 from Shiseido The Makeup epitomise the key trends for the coming seasons:


(Eyeshadow Quad Shimmer in Q11 (left) and Q12 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)


This season, I think I will be trying slightly deeper purples (than the ones I have been wearing) as well as platinum golds (not bronze golds). What about you? What shades are tempting you?

(image from www.chanel.com)


If there is one word that sums up the makeup trends for fall 2008, it is "warmth". We had grey from fall 2007 and cool lilac and blue from spring 2008, and now we are greeted by opulent gold and red.


Fields of Gold

Chanel leads the pack with a collection with gold in the eye palette, lip gloss, face highlighter, and nail color. It is a decadent shade of gold, although it can be too warm for some complexions. If this is the case with you, items from Lavshuca (Grade Color Select in GD-1) and Shiseido The Makeup (Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold) might suit you better.


(Lavshuca Grade Color Select in GD-1 (among swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)


(Shiseido The Makeup Lip Gloss in G29 Mellow Gold)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)


Gold is also seen in Vernis Crème de Nacres, two nail products in Lancôme's fall 2008 collection that are applied with a special applicator. (I am not entirely certain whether they are sold in North America, but they are already available in the UK.)


(Lancôme Vernis Crème de Nacres)
(image from www.lancome.jp)



Shades of Red

If you are fans of purples, there are still some nice shades from Givenchy, Clarins, Awake and Sonia Rykiel as these beautiful hues continue the trend in spring 2008. But many purples are taking on a much warmer tone for fall 2008 and turning into plum purples. We are also seeing shades of burgundy and red, which, just like gold, are the key shades for this fall.

For plum and burgundy, which still somewhat echo the spring trend, look into the palettes from Laura Mercier, EST, and Magie Deco:



(Laura Mercier Eye Color Trio in Mauve Sunset)
(image from www.lauramercier.com)



(EST Emotional Aura Eyes in 07)
(image from www.kao.co.jp/est)


(Magie Deco Shadow Brilliance in 021 Bordeaux Shadow)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)


Apart from gold, Chanel's fall 2008 collection also features delicious plums in Rouge Hydrabase in Fantastic Plum and Nail Colour in Fantastic.

While warmer reds are seen in major Japanese brands (like Lunasol and SUQQU below), Dior, always a trendsetter, features a muted warm red in 5-Colour Eyeshadow in #673 Earth Tones:


(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)


(image from www.suqqu.com/japan.html)


(Dior 5-Color Eyeshadow in 673 Earth Tones)
(image from www.sephora.com)



Mix & Match


If you love experimenting with makeup trends, why not try wearing gold and warm purples/reds to sport both trends at the same time?

(Magie Deco Pure Color in GD076 and RD470)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)


(Cosme Decorte AQ Shadow Supreme in 015)
(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/aq)


(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 54)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)


If reds around the eyes don't suit you, try gold with deep cool violets. It is a beautiful and modern way to wear violets. I am thinking about trying the items below:


(Maquillage Forming Shiny Eyes in 52)
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/mq)


(Lavshuca Dual Prism Eyes in PU-1 (among the swatches))
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)


Last but not least, the two makeup looks for fall/holiday 2008 from Shiseido The Makeup epitomise the key trends for the coming seasons:


(Eyeshadow Quad Shimmer in Q11 (left) and Q12 (right))
(image from www.shiseido.co.jp/themakeup)


This season, I think I will be trying slightly deeper purples (than the ones I have been wearing) as well as platinum golds (not bronze golds). What about you? What shades are tempting you?

Aug 26, 2008

It list

The buzz on the hottest goods du jour

1. L’OCCITANE – HONEY & LEMON, EAU DE TOILETTE
A delicious, sparkling blend of fruity fresh and sweet notes packaged in an enticing honeycomb bottle. Irresistible!

2. ESCADA – MOON SPARKLE, EAU DE TOILETTE
Fruity overtones combine with floral undertones to create a fragrance that’s refreshing and alluring. For the sophisticated, independent woman.

3. REVLON – COLORSTAY MINERAL BLUSH, 10 HONEY
This baked powder blush blends easily to give you sheer, radiant colour. Enriched with rose quartz, mother of pearl and topaz.

4. L’ORÉAL – RESIST & SHINE, UV COLOR PROTECT, 180
Enjoy rich, anti-fade lacquered nails that stay shiny with a UV filter that resists sunlight and shock up to seven days.

5. MOLTON BROWN – MOISTURE LOCK, 24HR REPLENISHER
Intense hydration for dry, sensitive skin. Smoothes and minimises fine lines, leaving skin soft and supple through the day.

6. LANCÔME – POUDRE ELEPHANT TEINT, BRONZER POWDER SUN OF INDIA, 01
Get a luxurious Indian summer glow with this multi-purpose bronzer with an elephant motif. Comes

Nirmal Jain


The buzz on the hottest goods du jour

1. L’OCCITANE – HONEY & LEMON, EAU DE TOILETTE
A delicious, sparkling blend of fruity fresh and sweet notes packaged in an enticing honeycomb bottle. Irresistible!

2. ESCADA – MOON SPARKLE, EAU DE TOILETTE
Fruity overtones combine with floral undertones to create a fragrance that’s refreshing and alluring. For the sophisticated, independent woman.

3. REVLON – COLORSTAY MINERAL BLUSH, 10 HONEY
This baked powder blush blends easily to give you sheer, radiant colour. Enriched with rose quartz, mother of pearl and topaz.

4. L’ORÉAL – RESIST & SHINE, UV COLOR PROTECT, 180
Enjoy rich, anti-fade lacquered nails that stay shiny with a UV filter that resists sunlight and shock up to seven days.

5. MOLTON BROWN – MOISTURE LOCK, 24HR REPLENISHER
Intense hydration for dry, sensitive skin. Smoothes and minimises fine lines, leaving skin soft and supple through the day.

6. LANCÔME – POUDRE ELEPHANT TEINT, BRONZER POWDER SUN OF INDIA, 01
Get a luxurious Indian summer glow with this multi-purpose bronzer with an elephant motif. Comes

Nirmal Jain