Oscar fever with their 80th epidemic…

I talk a little bit of this coz I’m a doctor. But there’s nothing like Oscars and the beautiful invitees they have. More than the awards themselves people are crazy of who wore what at Oscars. Designers who are at the pinnacle of fashion exhibit their exquisite and of course expensive designs on stunningly gorgeous actresses and everything is just so dreamy.
As a beauty writer I got hold of some of the secrets revealed (of course through internet) from Chanel Beauté who did the makeup at the Oscars.

Penelope Cruz

She is one of my favorite actresses and more than perfect beauty. Penelope Cruz knows to dress the best all the time. Her makeup was created by Rachel Goodwin for Chanel. Rachel gave Penelope a stunning, dramatic look on the red carpet. She created a navy cat eye by lining the eyes with PRECISION EYE DEFINER in BLUE JEAN, then smudged the navy shadow from QUADRA EYESHADOW in BLEU CELESTE on top of the liner, giving her a deep blue almond shaped eye. She used TEINT INNOCENCE foundation in SOFT HONEY on her skin, and gave her complexion a matte, velvet finish with POUDRE CRISTALLINE ULTRA-FINE TRANSLUCENT POWDER. Rachel applied a new ROUGE ALLURE shade, NAÏVE, to Penelope’s lips for a pinkish nude lip.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman never fails to enthrall us on the red carpet. She’s always beyond perfect and this year is no exception. Chanel makeup artist Angela Levin created Nicole’s flawless look by using deep, rich shades to give her a dramatic, smoky eye. To achieve this look she brushed SOFT TOUCH EYESHADOW in SILVERY and EBONY on the lids. She then lined the eyes with INTENSE EYE PENCIL in GRAPHITE and NOIR to make them stand out. As always, Angela used her favorite CHANEL product, INIMITABLE MASCARA in NOIR-BLACK. She finished the look with a pale, natural pink lip; ROUGE ALLURE in DARLING

Katherine Heigl

Chanel makeup artist Monika Blunder gave Katherine a bold, bright, poppy hued mouth with AQUALUMIERE GLOSS in PARTY RED, a new gloss formula from CHANEL launching in May, flown in from Paris for the Oscar red carpet. She applied SHEER BRILLIANCE in SUNKISSED to give Katherine’s complexion a subtle, bronze glow. On her cheeks, Monika used POWDER BLUSH in HORIZON, a warm coral shade. She created a defined eye with INTENSE EYE PENCIL in AMBRE, and applied beige and brown shadows from QUADRA EYE SHADOW in DUNES to the lids. Finally, Monika added a touch of glamour to the eyes with INIMITABLE MASCARA in NOIR-BLACK.

Marion Cotillard

To give Marion Cotillard a refined, ethereal look, Chanel makeup artist Angela Levin used the copper and pink-gold shadows from the MULTI-USE MAKEUP PALETTE in LUMIERE NATURELLE on her lids. She applied SHEER BRILLIANCE in SUNKISSED to Marion’s skin, giving her complexion a sheer sun-kissed glow. On her cheeks, Angela brushed on POWDER BLUSH in NARCISSE, a pale delicate pink. She finished the look with AQUALUMIERE SHEER COLOUR LIPSHINE in SOMOA, a copper-rose

Jennifer Garner
Celebrity makeup artist Paul Starr achieved Jennifer’s look with Chanel products by creating a strong, sculpted eye with radiant skin.“My inspiration tonight was the glamour of old Hollywood; evoking the beauty of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn,” said Starr. “This was the first time Jennifer was wearing a black dress on the red carpet, so I wanted to give her a strong look.”He achieved this look by lining the upper and lower lash lines with INTENSE EYE PENCIL in NOIR, and then perfecting the line with AUTOMATIC LIQUID EYELINER in NOIR. Paul shaped the lids with a shimmery taupe shadow from QUADRA EYE SHADOW in DUNES, and applied INIMITABLE MASCARA In NOIR-BLACK to the lashes. He used TEINT INNOCENCE, a sheer foundation, to give Jennifer’s skin a fresh, flawless radiance. Finally, Paul completed the look with ROUGE ALLURE in TENDER, an elegant beige-pink.
Ciao

Fresh Revolution with Lilac

The predicted color of the season (spring and summer)is lilac and I’m sure every girl has a lilac eyeshadow in her wardrobe. So I decided to talk on lilac in this post.

Lilac is a wonderful tint of violet formed when you add white into it. Its available in the market in silvery undertones, silvery pink undertones and sometime just to add a little bit of warmth then golden undertones.
But whatever it is, lilac is a shade for all. Any one can use it and carry it with lot of panache. The only issue that we have with lilac is to match the shade of blush and lipstick or lipgloss. It scares me to use lilac all over the face as that would impart a grayish tinge to warm complexions and go unflattering over cool ones. { I might talk a little technical, just in case}
The best colors that go with lilac would be : -
- purple
- pink
- sky blue
- forest or moss green
- shimmery lemon yellow
- brown with a little bit of purple
for eyeshadows

- bright pink
- soft peach
- orangey pink
- golden wash
- silver wash

for blushes

and

- nude or clear gloss
- flirty pink
- soft peach
- beige
for lip colors

Actually lilac looks good on everyone.Its just that it cannot be used on its own.You need to master the techniques of contouring and shading.

Ciao

Spree @ Shiseido

Hi Friends,
This is a special news to share with all my friends who buy Shiseido Cosmetics from counters all around the country.
Shiseido offers its regular clients and customers free "Facials" and skin treatments in a specially equipped room.They even do skin consultancies and recommendations on the rightest products that you can use to enhance your skin.
I and my mom had a wonderful time at Shopper Stop, Bandra where we were not only pampered but got to see the most spectacular products and treatments Shiseido offers.

Do go and experience it yourself.This was one of the best ones I have had and it came all for free {Yes!I'm their regular customer and I own more that Rs.30,000 worth Shiseido products}.

Ciao

Want to shine like these beautiful stars?


I can tell you how to?.....


Please do keep reading.


Ciao

Latest makeup buys

Hi,
These are the latest makeup products that I got.They might not sound new to US and Uk based beauty junkies but most of them are new to the Indian market.
The products in the picture are: -
-MAC Heirlooms eye brush set
-MAC Fix + makeup fixing spray
-MAC Antiquitease Mineralize Eye Shadows in Mi' Lady,Family Silver,Engaging,Earthy riches and Silversmith
-MAC Curiositease eyeshadow palette in the Metallic Eyes
-Lancome Juciy tubes coffret with 4 x 7ml juicy tubes
-Max Factor Miracle Touch Foundation
-Shiseido Accentuating Stick in S3 and S4
-Lancome Juicy tubes in Vanilla Soul
-Dior Diorkiss lipgloss
-Chanel Levre Scintillante Glossimer in Astral
-Clinique lipgloss coffret
-MAC Paint pot in Bare Study
-Lancome Fatale Mascara in Noir Fatal
-MAC Curiositease pigments in Cool
-MAC Powder blush in Honour
-Lancome Color Design eyeshadow in Black Strass
-Shiseido Dual Foundation in O40
-Smashbox Cosmetics Softlights in Tint
-Travel size Lancome Eye kohl pencil and Bifacil makeup remover
-Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow Quad in Chic
-Shiseido The Makeup Eyeshadow brush (S)

Got all this in one go and completely emptied my wallet and my savings in the bank.But it was all worth it.
Bought everything except Clinique and Smashbox from Shopper Stop Juhu

Reader's Request

Christina, a loyal reader has asked me

"To give a list of budget makeup suiting Indian women and which are the best concealers available in India?"

Hi,
Its very important to have very few things in your makeup bag but have them branded as high end brands promise better results when compared with drugstore brands.
You can hunt for multi-use products rather than individual if you are tight on budget. For eg. opt for a Stick Foundation rather than a liquid foundation, powder and concealer, as it solves the purpose of all three. In this way you can save money and spend on a good quality one.
Use tinted moisturisers to give enough color and sheer coverage or mineral foundations that give a flawless makeup without damaging the skin.
Here's a list of some products that one must have in her vanity case.

1.Shiseido the Makeup Stick foundation Rs.1675
It triples up as a foundation, concealer and powder and gives coverage from sheer to full. It has 3D powder and nano powder that blend in to give a flawless finish. Generally O40 and O60 go perfect on Indian complexions.

2.L'Oreal Mineral Foundation Rs.850
The first of its kind to hit the Indian market, this award wining foundation does a lot to your skin. It gives flawless coverage, hides imperfections and redness and suits sensitive skin. Since its talc free and has mica in it, it hardly causes allergies. The built in brush makes application easy.Its a budget buy and totally worth it.

3.Max Factor Masterpiece mascara with IFx technology Rs.380
This award winning mascara is a steal for every beauty junkie or beautiholic. The wand has a plastic or rubber brush with tiny bristles that comb throught the teeniest possible lashes.

4.Chambor Eyeshadow Trio Rs.395
This richly pigmented and shimmer loaded eyeshadows can be used anywhere and everywhere.The formulation is long staying and crease resistant. The shadows have an unusually creamy texture and go on weightlessly and blend really well.

5.Maybelline Shine seduction lipglosses Rs.269
This shiny glosses impart a high voltage shine on the lips to give the most glossiest lips you can ever have.Its a steal and an addiction.

6.Loreal Tru match range {price on request}
This range consists of finely milled compact powders, super blendable liquid foundation and heavy duty concealers. These do a fabulous job in solving skin queries and have a wider spectrum of colors to go on most of the Indian skins.

7.Max Factor Age Renew Foundation Rs.590
Want to see how you looked 20 yrs ago. This award winning foundation will do that for you. With lens particles that reflect light in all directions minimise the appearance of wrinkles and blemishes on the skin. Gives super natural radiance to the skin.

8.Bourjois 3D effet lipglosses Rs.425
They are known to enhance the pout and give Angelina Jolie-esque lips to even the most thin lipped lady.

For the best concealers in the market that come in affordable range I swear by Loreal Tru match concealers that go effortlessly on your skin, blend perfectly and moisturise the skin. For professional usage Kryolan Supra foundation is the creamiest and heaviest foundation that can go flawlessly on the skin.No wonder it is used by Bollywood as well as some Hollywood stars.

Ciao

Product review on: - L'Oreal Star Secrets Makeup Kit

L'Oreal star secrets makeup kit is a blessing to all women-on-the-go (business women).

This high utility palette comes with all the things that you need to take with you in the most compact form you can imagine. Not bigger than a pocket dictionary this baby carries 3 coordinated eyeshadows in a base, contour and highlight; a shimmery glittery lipstick and a blush, all in one.
The best part is that L'Oreal has shown tremendous concern towards women of different race and colors and that’s how the palettes are designed to flatter any complexion.The palettes available in India are Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz with their signature looks described on the palette.The master creator behind all this is L'Oreal's world famous makeup artist James Kalliardos. They have even given hints and ideas for DIY looks.

With the star secrets kit you can do a lot number of looks depending upon the demands of the occasion. The only thing I didn’t like about the kit is the blush. The blush is too dark for any complexion and looks a little patchy. It streaks on application and can be used only as a cheek contour due to the very dark color.
I feel that L’Oreal should consider this and improve on the make of the blushes.

These palettes are available at leading stores for a price of Rs.650 INR

Blushing Facts

Finding a perfect makeup that goes easy on us is very difficult. Its like hunting in a forest where there are hardly any deer. We do end up buying a perfect lipstick or a perfect eyeshadow but what’s difficult to find is a BLUSH. Some blushes are too pink and some blushes are good but they are not available in India.
So I decided to make a tutorial on blushes.

Why do we need a blush?
Ans. Blush which is also called rouge helps us mimic the natural way our skin would flush (blood accumulating under the skin) and look healthy. Better way to put is, the healthy pink flush on baby’s cheeks makes it look happy and contented. That’s why blush is important. Blush also creates a perfect balance and a harmony between your eye and lip makeup. Its acts like a bridge there.

Blush is available in all sorts of formulations and textures that would suit anybody and any skin type. Some of these formulations are: -
- crème blushes
These are best for dry to very dry skin as they are rich in emollients that hydrate the skin further. If oily skinned people use them, they would end up in an emergency as oil would literally drip from the skin.

- powder blushes
These are fantastic for oily skin as they absorb oil from the skin giving a matte effect. Sometimes they contain rice powder that absorbs excess oil making the skin look flawless and yet a little dewy.

- Tints
These are stains that mimic the appearance of a healthy flush. Very difficult to use as they dry and stick very easily and leave a stain behind. Plus they cannot be used over a foundation.

- Gels
Best for oily skins as the formula is water based and leaves behind a pinched-up skin look.

- liquid blushes
Same as tints but the formula may contain emollients for hydration.

Bronzers are a type of blushes that impart warmth for an all over glow and are the best for getting a sun-kissed look. Bronzers have recently been in vogue and each company has launched one or more than one. What I like about bronzers is they can be used effortlessly in the contours or just to warm up pale and dull skin. But we’d have a different session for bronzers.

Some of the best blushes I found in India are: -

Shiseido Accentuating stick: -
It’s a crème blush that goes on flawlessly on the skin and gives a beautiful flush. Its comes in four shades of Glisten, Bronze, Peach and Rouge flush and gives a fantastic professional coverage. Costs about Rs.1600

Lancôme blush subtil: -
This blush knows what its doing. When used very sparingly it gives an appearance of sheer radiance of that of a supernatural being. Its costs Rs.1750 INR

Max factor flawless perfection blush: -
It does exactly the same thing what it’s named for. This blush is very good for starters and for amateurs in the business as an investment. The added advantage is that it’s placed in an affordable price range of Rs.520 INR. I’ve mentioned about this blush in one of the early articles of mine.

Christian Dior Glowing color powder blush: -
It’s a fantastic duo blush and I’m proud of the shades that I own. They give you a color and highlighter together which create magic when they touch your skin. One of the best ones I have. Price is approx. Rs.2000 INR

YSL Esprit couture collection. Palette no.2: -
This limited edition palette is a steal. Available in a rich golden packaging this blush cum eyeshadow is designed in the design of YSL’s Couture gown. The shades suit Indian skin well. The cost is Rs.2390 but worth every penny you pay.

MAC powder blushes: -
These are classy and elegant and are available in every shade you dream of. Fantastic for beginners as it is cost effective and it promises to be your makeup companion for a longer time. Rs.1080 makes it a perfect steal.

Chanel Irrelle powder blush: -
Its frenzy of a couturier. At an extravagant price it gives the most perfect finish. Of course as said “Good things don’t come cheap.” Costs around Rs.2000 approx.

L’Oreal Blush Delice: -
Best for tropics as the color stays put and feel fresh all the time. They have an intense pigment that flatters the skin really well and are priced at Rs.550 approx.

Shiseido Accentuating powder blush: -
This blush melts into the skin and gives the most natural radiance dreamt of. At Rs.1500 INR its good to see the way it functions.

Shiseido Multi shade enhancers: -
These ergonomically suitable blush palettes come in 5 colors that can be used to highlight and contour. These are the best buys I have had. The dark colors do the best contouring while the lighter ones do the highlighting. The company includes a super soft brush in the packaging which makes it a steal for Rs.2100 INR.

MAC Glimmer Shimmer Liquid highlighter: -
This is perfect for a business woman who has very less time to look after herself. These blushes blend in beautifully and bid pale and washed out skin adieu. The key is to use this liquid blush directly over bare skin or over foundation before powdering. It costs about Rs.1200 INR

Blushes choices should be done on the basis of your skin color, skin type, undertones and most importantly the one that flatters you the most.

Some hints: -

While choosing a blush apply on the fore arm instead of the back of the palm to judge the color. Invest in a good quality blush brush and a kabuki brush to blend the colors well. Never use the brushes given with the packaging though some really might be nice. The trend of mineral blushes shall soon hit Indian lands and then it would be another article.
The blushes that flatter the Indian skin the most are ones with golden undertones and colors like copper, taupe, brick red, plum, wine, apricot, corals etc but please do consider this as a guide and not a prescription.

These are the most amazing blushes that I have come across and used. There are many more but in case your tastes don’t match with me do let me know which is your favorite blush.

Aishwarya Rai in JODHA AKBAR

I have always admired theme based classic movies and the characters that take these films to an iconic status. This Hritik Roshan- Aishwarya Rai starring Jodha Akbar is one of them. The beautiful Rajput princess has been known in history as Emperor Akbar’s wife but she was something more than that. She has been known for her brevity and valor and the way she carried herself on the throne.
Anyways Aishwarya looks stunning in the movie. In the past she did costume movies like Devdas where she donned some absolutely gorgeous looks and she has again made a statement in Jodha Akbar.
Director Ashutosh Govarikar had stressed on the no-liner look and whatever you say she looks amazing. Her makeup artist has taken immense efforts to keep this look same all over the movie and the results are of a gorgeous princess who unknowingly makes a place in your hearts.
To do this look we’d be needing the following stuff: -
-Shiseido’s Dual Foundation
-MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix powder foundation
-Shiseido Accentuating stick in S3 Glistening flush and S4 Rouge flush
-Lancôme Art liner in Black
-Lancôme Virtuose mascara
-Shiseido Lipgloss in Chianti Rose G6

The look is very simple and yet ethereal.
FACE: -
On a cleansed-toned-moisturized face dot on some foundation and blend with sponge. Take the gooier foundation from the lid and use it as a concealer as we don’t want to look fake. Set this with Studio fix only in the under eye area for a stronger hold on the foundation.

CHEEKS: -
For a gentle flush and highlights use the Accentuating Stick in Rouge flush. With fingers blend on the crème blush on the cheek bones in such a way that it looks like a tint or a pinched cheeks. On the cheek apples and heights use the Glistening flush to give subtle highlights to the face.
Apply glistening flush on the bridge of the nose, centre of the forehead, above the upper lip.

EYES: -
Blend Accentuating stick in glistening flush all over the eye lid and brow bone. With lancome’s art liner draw a fine line on the upper lash line just at the place where the lid ends.This should be done for subtle definition. Two coats of lancome’s Virtuose mascara would do the trick.

LIPS: -
Exfoliate lips before applying a subtle hint of Chianti Rose lipgloss and blend in using fingers to push the pigment in the lips. Apply another coat over the centre of the lips to make them appear pouty.

And voila! You’re the next Jodha in the modern world.
Ciao

A Celebration of Love

Valentine’s Day specials


Valentine ’s Day symbolizes different forms of love and I’m here to show you different forms of makeup that could make you look picture perfect with your lover.
Red the colour of love (and of course the devil) is a truly amazing color. It has been a fav on the lips and cheeks and now-a-days due to the courtesy of MAC cosmetics, on eyes as well. Yes, MAC makes one of the most amazing and rarely found red eyeshadows and do pick them up from their Antiquitease collection, the shadow named Mi’Lady.

The look that I’m writing would suit all skin colors but the key to perfection would be “blending”.

The Valentine’s Day look this Feb 2008 is all about showing skin from within. The makeup trend is all about glowing super natural skin that knows to breathe.
We would be needing the following products to complete the look.
- Shiseido the makeup Dual foundation
- Max Factor Miracle touch foundation which doubles up as a light textured concealer
- Smash box cosmetics Soft lights in Tint
- Shiseido the makeup accentuating stick in S4 and S3
- MAC paint pot in Barely there
- MAC Antiquitease mineralize eyeshadow in Engaging and Family Silver
- Lancôme fatale mascara
- Lancôme juicy tubes in Fraise, Marshmallow Electro and Vanilla Soul

FACE: -
Go for minimalist look letting the skin see through. Over a well moisturized and primed face dot on a foundation that gives you the most flattering semi-matte finish. Apply with a sponge or a foundation brush and then blend into the skin with clean fingers. We do not want to use a lot of powder as it would hamper in the purpose of getting the dewy effect.
Max factor’s miracle touch foundation is an amazing compact foundation with a fluid texture. It provides enough coverage to use as a concealer without being heavy or cakey. Its water-base helps better blending and makes flawlessness appear easy. With a concealer brush dab on some foundation in the areas where needed and blend. Miracle touch gives enough coverage to hide blemishes and under eye circles. Since it dries into a powdery finish the trouble of using powder is saved.

CHEEKS: -
A glowing healthy complexion demands a flush of color with light reflecting hither thither. I like to use the S4 accentuating stick in rouge flush over the cheek bones. Take a small amount on your fingers and blend till it appears as a flush of color. This blush glides easily and does not look greasy at all. The S3 accentuating stick is a glistening nude pearl that reflects light leaving behind a luminous complexion. Apply over the cheek apples and make it in form of a crescent on the sides of the eyes. This gives the overall look an angelic appearance. Dusting a wee bit of Smashbox’s soft lights in Tint helps some light catching. This satiny powder makes skin appear luminous from within. A fantastic innovation again. Dust the soft light using a powder brush all over the cheek area to create harmony between the two previously used crème blush shades.

EYES: -
The focus of the overall look isn’t only the eyes? It’s a lovely balance between all the strong elements of the face.
Use a MAC paint pot as a base and begin applying the silver with golden veining eyeshadow from MAC’s Family Silver with a small eyeshadow brush. I love the small e/s brush from Shiseido as it helps blending the product in the skin as well. Use the mid-tone silver in the duo on the outer corners, into the crease and smoke it up on the lower lid.
Apply the pink-beige eyeshadow from Engaging to highlight the brow bone. A little bit of the highlighter in the inner corners of the eyes open them up. No liner needed as we want a soft look without drama. Two coats of Lancôme fatale mascara complete the look delivering the most luscious and long lashes a girl would ever dream of.

LIPS: -
Mix in the three juicy tube glosses from Lancôme in equal proportions to have a long lasting glittery-shimmery finish. I have purposely not used a lipstick as the look is more towards romanticism.

And voila! You are ready to party or go on the most memorable romantic date.

Ciao

Beauty Tours: - Lancome

Being a beauty traveller I go on special and highly alluring tours. These aren’t world tours, they are makeup tours. Makeup and cosmetics is not only my passion but also my source of entertainment and a method of educating people on how to beautify themselves.
Makeup and skin care is a vast field and something keeps on emerging all the time. May it be a ground breaking anti-ageing cream or the most flattering lipstick shade, the cosmetic industry has been the most booming industry currently.
Owing to technology, better financial position of people and the growth of nation, people have started caring more for themselves. Now-a-days buying a skin care product is like going on a shopping spree which I always love to do. Brands like Dior, Chanel, and Shiseido are not new to people and have set up such wonderful and user friendly counters, that you won’t resist not buying anything once you visit them. This is what happens to me.
Buying cosmetics is like surfing, you pass through so many things on the way but ultimately you reach your goal (i.e. the sea shore for a surfer) and dig a big hole in your pocket for sure.
Haven’t I discussed some great shopping tips before you actually hit the counter? Do use it as a guide, it helps!

After a lot of blah blah, let me come the main topic. In these beauty tours that I do all the time, I get to see fantastic brands and fantastic people out there who are always there to lend you a helping hand. This time my visit was to the Parisian brand, Lancôme with their exclusive and well equipped counter at Shoppers Stop, Dynamix mall, Juhu. I have loved and adored Lancôme even before it was launched in India. Such a prestigious brand that not only promises result oriented products but also a visual emancipation. Had I been unlucky I wouldn’t have got a chance to meet the Head Makeup Artist of Lancôme, India: Mr. Stafford Braganza. And the tour was even more alluring there.
Actually I visited them to get one of their fantastic new launches. Before telling about the new product launches, let me make one thing clear. India being really far, it takes a long time for the products to arrive making it even more longer to get launched. But the ray in the darkness is that all the products are manufactured abroad so the chances of adulteration and faux happenings are comparatively lessened.
Anyways coming back to where we were. My interests were of achieving their newly launched eye colors. The OAP Quad Rose de Bonheur, a perfect cool palette inviting the summer and some ultra shiny Color focus eye shadows in colours of the sun and spring, were some of the elements of the collection. The newly launched Ombre Absolue was another eye candy and so were the new lippies. But due to hard luck I could lay my hands upon the quad.
Since the quad wasn’t available and money jingling to be spent I thought of looking at Lancôme's world famous Juicy tubes. They have a fantastic collection of shades but what hooked me the most was the coffret or the gift set available. This limited edition coffret has 4 juicy tubes glosses 4 x 7ml. in the coolest colours that you would need. One being exclusive shade meant only for the coffret makes it a must buy for beauty addicts like me. Again it was a budget buy because a single juicy tube costs about Rs.950 INR for a 15 ml. gloss and here I’d spent Rs.1800 INR for four. Isn’t it a steal? Plus the added benefit was one of the glosses were the ones I have longed for a long time to buy, so this coffret did the deal. In the coffret I got a pair of Enduringly shiny hydrating lipglosses and Ultra shiny hydrating lip glosses. The former ones are 93 Toffee R&B (not aware of that) which is a beige shimmer with gold and silver flecks and 17 Fraise which is a playful cherry red with red shimmer. These glosses have a sophisticated edge and last really long. The 95 Marshmallow Electro is a beautiful cotton candy pink with soft gold flecks and can be used over your favorite lippies for a playful shine while 19 Lychee is a pink with lilac flecks. Juicy tubes don’t just shine and dazzle but also last longer and taste really sweet. Another way to burn down calories yet not stay hungry, these lipglosses are immensely comfortable to wear.
Since Lancôme was really celebrating New Year, the give-aways were endless. They had a Fatale mascara coffret which I was really longing to buy. Again a steal in its own way. The fatale mascara coffret worth Rs.1400 had the best gifts I could gift myself. There were one-of-the-best-mascaras in the world along with an eye pencil and 30 ml of Bifacil, Lancôme’s famous two phase any-sort-of make-up makeup remover. The fatale mascara again featured in my earlier posts is an award winning mascara known for imparting long, luscious, shiny lashes for a really fatal batting (of lashes). They have a stunning jet black shade which adds drama to your eyes. I even liked the brown but would not want it as it could lessen the drama and the glamour.
Amidst of this was Stafford. Such an amazing makeup artist Stafford is! I have seen him turning ordinary girls into glamorous divas in just a few brush strokes. So meeting him was real fun. He has been an influential makeup artist known for his ultra modern makeup techniques and his capability of enhancing other’s beauty. You wouldn’t want to miss the amazing base makeup that he teaches. Makeup is fun and Stafford makes it happen for you.
He showed me some of lancome’s products that I really wasn’t aware of and as usual amazed me. Please pardon if the “amaze” word keeps on propping out every time.
I loved their Primordiale Optimum Eye cream Rs.3000 INR 15 ml. which firms up the under eye area in just one application. It fascinated me with the quick uplift that my under eye area got the other day. Its surely going to top the product rankings that I’d be releasing in future.
I do use a wee bit of foundation for some coverage during parties or official events or just when I feel low and dull (its not like boys cannot use foundation, the inventor of the foundations Mr. Max Factor was a man or rather a boy). But getting a right shade is a nightmare for me. I have always gone a little pinky, or a little peachy and even white at times while using various foundations of various companies. Since I have an oily skin, finding an oil free formula is an adjuvant to the existing nightmare. I was impressed by Lancôme’s Teint Idole 14 hour lasting without retouching makeup but wasn’t very delighted as the shade that was appropriate for me made me look a little flushed. I did love the coverage it provided compared to many other brands but the color just wasn’t right for me. Now since I have it, I got a paler foundation like Shiseido The Makeup Dual Foundation in O40 and I mix the former and latter and I use it. But what Stafford showed me was magical.
It was a tinted moisturizer. This isn’t a huge trend in India but brands are very keen on introducing it and Lancôme has launched it at the right time. Aqua fusion Tinted moisturizer as it is called is a light weight moisturizer (perfect for oily people) that is oil free and has a hint of colour in it to give a sheer minimal translucent coverage. It seems transparent to eye and yet makes the wearer look magically flawless. Fatima SA applied it on me and I was even more amazed. The texture felt superbly light and even after moving out in Mumbai’s pollution and humid climate, my face was clean and fresh. This tinted moisturizer does impart a healthy glow and works well with all skin types and all this at Rs.2500 INR for 50 ml. Isn’t it science? These are the offspring of marriage of nature and technology. A fair suggestion by Stafford for all oily and combination skin people would be,”Wash your face with Pure Focus foaming cleanser. Use anti-shine over the t-zone (optional) and a pore minimizer (ultimate weapon) to tighten pores. A sun protection of spf 15 or more depending upon your timings of sun exposure and need and a tinted moisturizer which duals up to quench the thirst of your skin as well as provide a flawless coverage.” This would really work all day long.
Another amazing product that I got to see was Aqua fusion line of cosmetics specially designed by the mavericks at Lancôme for concerns of dehydrated and dry skins. Although the above mentioned moisturizer is from the same range, yet there are other wonderful products too. The constant skin drinks that these moisturizers provide shall let us all bid adieu to dry and dehydrated skin.

The instructions at Sephora.com say: -

AQUA FUSION LOTION - Continuous Infusing Moisturizer Infuse your skin with moisture!
Infuse your skin with moisture all day and see it glow with health. This ultra-charged moisture complex delivers 16 skin-essential elements to maintain skin's ideal moisture level. Delivers oil-free, water-smooth, fresh moisture.

Oily skinned people would be benefited by the Pure Focus range that relieves the problems in an extremely gentle way.
You can actually see this cream working and why shouldn’t it, if you are in the right hands with the right product.

Lancôme counter is one of the most helpful ones in Shopper’s stop and since their staff is so highly trained, it is an added advantage. The best role of theirs was holding a rare collection of eyeshadow quad for me amidst so many demands. All thanks to Jayshree the SA there.

My favorites from Lancôme and of course the one that hit the topmost priority in my makeup list are: -
juicy tubes lipgloss in Peche
Primordiale optimum eye cream
aqua fusion teinte in No.3
Lancôme Courbe Virutose mascara
some amazing eyeshadow quads and monos
the destiny cube

Pure focus deep purifying cleansing gel


Lancôme is much more than this. And if you want to reveal the secrets of beauty and look within the inner pages of it, this is where you should come.

PS: - Shall be posting Stafford and his team soon. By the way Lancôme hasn't paid me to write this.These are all my views that I'm sharing without expecting anything out of it.Just for the sake of knowledge.

Ciao...

Next Time:- Makeup Tour at Chanel