Monday, December 31, 2012

The Disco Party LOOK!!

This is one of the last looks for a party to bid 2012 a good bye. What a year it was? Lots of tribulations, bad memoirs and yet there's always been a ray of HOPE that keeps us alive.


This is an edgy, anarchic, dramatic and dark makeup look fit for the punks. But who cares, when its NYE. This is a look inspired from the 80's disco themes and I have made it a bit darker so that the silver sparkles on the middle of the eyes shine like stars in the new year's night sky.



While I imagine an aurora borrealis, fireworks, starry nights and all at once on NYE, I may not be able to conjure it. I could conjure this look though. Its very simple and amazing way of looking and sporting a sultry trend this season. If you want a last minute inspiration and have the patience to go through my blog, then this is a must do look for you.

Lets see how to get the Disco party look.......

Beauty Explorer BEST of the BEST of 2012 AWARDS

I was waiting to end this year with a post of the most amazing products that wooed me in the year 2012. They are some old time classics and favorites while others are new launches and the most coveted products ever.....the list is endless but there are just a few lovely winners for me...

So presenting the Best of the Best of makeup and skin care products for the year 2012. These are the products that I have used or purchased and has got nothing to do with the conventional ones. This post is in honor of the wonderful products I got to use in 2012.

SKIN CARE 


  • Best Cleanser (drugstore) - Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel
  • Best Cleanser - Elizabeth Arden Intervene 3 in 1 facial cleanser
  • Best Toner - Clarins Toner with Iris (alcohol free)
  • Best Day cream - La Prairie Anti ageing cream SPF 30
  • Best Treatment - Clarins Facial Treatment Oil in Lotus
  • Best Night Cream - La Prairie Advanced Marine Biology Emulsion for face,eyes and neck
  • Best Serum - Lancome Visionnaire
  • Best Lip balm - Kiehl's Lip Balm
  • Best BB Cream - Clinique Age Defense BB Cream - 03 (my coloring)
  • Best sample ever used (new category, it inspires purchase) - L'Occitane Immortelle Brightening Moisture Cream
  • Best Scrub - Clinique 7 day scrub
  • Best Mask - Clarins Gentle Facial Peeling mask
  • Best overall Exfoliator - Clinique Anti-blemish solutions Clarifying lotion
  • Best under eye cream (drugstore) - Oriflame Seeing is Believing Multi benefits under eye cream
  • Best under eye cream (department) - Shisiedo Bright Lucent Brightening Under eye treatment
MAKEUP

  • Best Primer - Shiseido Pore Refining Primer SPF 21
  • Best Liquid Foundation - Christian Dior Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear foundation SPF 25
  • Best Cream foundation - Professional palette of Kryolan Ultra foundation
  • Best Loose Powder - Guerlain Les Violettes Loose Powder
  • Best Pressed Powder - Guerlain Meteorites pressed powder in Nacre Des Mers
  • Best priming moisturizer - Clarins Beauty Flash Balm
  • Best concealer - Clinique All About eyes concealer
  • Best mascara - Guerlain Noir G mascara/Lancome Doll's lashes mascara/Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Definition mascara
  • Best Eyeshadow (single) - MAC Glamour Daze eyeshadow in Stylishly Merry and Round Midnight
  • Best Eyeshadow (palette) - Urban Decay Smoked Palette
  • Best Eye brow pencil/shadow - Urban Decay eyeshadow in Backdoor (from Smoked Palette)
  • Best Eye lash curler - Shiseido Eye lash curler
  • Best Eye primer - Too Faced Shadow Insurance eyeshadow primer and Urban Decay Primer Potion
  • Best Eye pencil - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in place eye pencil in Black Plum and Urban Decay Perversion
  • Best Eye liner pen - Lancome Liner Plume Noir
  • Best Liquid eye liner - L'Oreal Super liner carbon black
  • Best highlighting powder - Estee Lauder Powder Gelee Illuminating highlighter in Modern Mercury and Guerlain Meteorites Cruel Gardenia Highlighter
  • Best highlighting liquid or cream - NARS Orgasm Illuminator and Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector
  • Best Blush - MAC Pro Long Wear blush in Whole Lotta Love
  • Best Bronzer - Guerlain Terracotta Illuminating Bronzer and Guerlain Shell Illuminating Powder
  • Best Contouring Powder - Benefit Hoola Bronzer
  • Best Lipstick - Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Flirt D'Un Jour and Rouge G Jewel Lipstick in Gwen and Bridget
  • Best Lip liner - Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in place lip liner
  • Best Lipgloss - Guerlain Terracotta lip gloss in Tango/Salsa/Mambo
  • Best Makeup Remover - Lancome Bi facil waterproof eye makeup remover
  • Best Makeup fixer - Kryolan Dermacolor Makeup Fixing Spray

These were my favorite skin care and makeup products for 2012 and I am so proud to own all of them. Do let me know some of your most favorite products for 2012.

Till then,

Ciao

Please do not copy any pictures or content of Beauty Traveller without prior permission. Thanks for reading my blog. I don't give 100% on the authenticity of the content here and it is subject to change without prior notice. Please read the disclaimer for any questions.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Demure New Year Eve LOOK!!


When certain brights need guts to sport, its better to go a bit demure for the New Year's Eve. This is a look that all can sport and would hardly go wrong at any time.



There has to be some caution while using purple and gold colors. They are contrasting and may look neutral brown if blended too much. What have I done is, I have used a blend of shimmery and matte colors in a transition to avoid this effect.

The eyes are super reflective and they look even more sparkling during the NYE party. So lets see how to do this look.........

Review : Guerlain Ecrin 4 Color eyeshadow in Les Ombre de Nuit

This is the most glamorous and perfect palette to don the eyes while bidding adieu to 2012 (the most grotesque year ever). Its plush, beautiful and very very intensely pigmented. Not a new launch but trust me its alluring (not old too).


Guerlain released these amazing Ecrin 4 Color eyeshadows in such vibrant hues and complimenting colors that no one could do them better. The luxury brand has made another mark in the beauty industry by making a product that is so versatile and smoldering and worth each and every hard earned penny spent on it. Who knew that a blue, silver, aqua green and black could make a lovely combination and go on every possible skin tone ever......Guerlain knew that.

So lets see the Guerlain Ecrin 4 Colors eyeshadow quad in Les Ombre De Nuit.....

Saturday, December 29, 2012

HAUL : Some More GUERLAIN

If you ask a makeup artist (as mad as me) to where does all the income of the entire year go and I would shout....GUERLAIN..Due to some personal issues I could not pick up the last consignment of my haul soon and there's this one that I picked up. I make a promise to myself that NO NO NO makeup purchases (except essentials) in Jan and Feb....LOL


Although I don't believe in flaunting (ahem) but this is the last one I am going to talk about. The entire lot was purchased by my own annual hard earned savings and shall be reviewed and utilized for the blog and the celeb clients of mine.

So lets see..........what all I got....

Review : Guerlain Rouge Automatique

To mar the hefty luxurious packaging of the Rouge G de Guerlain, Guerlain cosmetics came up with another phenomenal and a pioneering concept in lipsticks that is going to spoken about for several years after their launch.

Yes that the Guerlain Rouge Automatique and I am reviewing the shade FLIRT D'UN JOUR.....(difficult to pronounce but that does not waver the beauty of this lipstick.)


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Holographic Eye - Christmas Eve Makeup


This is a super bright glowing holographic eye makeup I created exclusively for Christmas and New Year's Eve. This is one of the most amazing makeups I have ever done on Beauty Traveller and I am sure you will agree with me on this.



This look is inspired by Holograms put by companies on their products as a mark of genuine product. There is an amazing way in which the light reflects and transitions through a hologram and this makes the look even more beautiful. The contrasting dark lashes against this uber glowing eye looks breathtakingly gorgeous and I hope you agree with me on this.

SO lets see how to do this look..........

Review : Guerlain Ombre 4 Eclat eyeshadow quad in Bronze Dore


Reviewing the Guerlain Ombre 4 Eclat Eyeshadow Quad in Bronze Dore. This is a small review with the look that is done using the all colors from the quad. This may be one of the most amazing eyeshadows I have every got thanks to the rich texture, luxurious finish and the best olive green color I have ever seen. 


Doesn't the quad look precious? Encased in a plush looking golden case, this quad eyeshadows has colors that are very versatile and can be mixed with other shadows to create some lovely looks for the Holiday season. Lets have a look.................

Monday, December 24, 2012

5 wishes for Christmas!!! DECEMBER MAKEUP PLANNER



I find Christmas as one of the most amazing times of the year. There is something magical about it and of course there are a lot of gift and things coming too.............To reveal to all, I have a MAKEUP MAGPIE SYNDROME. I like to collect all that has gold colored packaging and you did see a glimpse of it in the posts that came up in December.

This HOLIDAY, I may not buy but I am planning some products to buy for the blog and for skin care and truly wish Santa should read my wish list. So here's a December wish list with the hope that wishes come true.


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Splinters by the Fireplace.............


This look is inspired from the splinters at a fireplace during the cold days of Christmas. This is an amazing and bedazzling smokey eye and fits the mesmerizing Christmas evening or the Christmas dinner.


Paired with a red lip this could be the most covetable looks for Christmas. I have used the Urban Decay Smoked Palette to create this lovely look.

Beauty Explorer : Poll n Roll







Please do not copy any pictures or content of Beauty Traveller without prior permission. Thanks for reading my blog. I don't give 100% on the authenticity of the content here and it is subject to change without prior notice. Please read the disclaimer for any questions.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Review : Christian Dior Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25

Before I start reviewing this amazing foundation I must sincerely apologize for the horrendous pictures my camera has clicked. In fact I had to do this because I couldn't get the name on the frosted glass bottle show up and only a low light could do that better. The positive side is that you can see the truest color of what the foundation looks like and that can be the only soother and advantage that I can blabber about bad quality pictures.


Nevertheless. presenting Christian Dior Forever Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25, my holy grail foundation of the moment and I am going to tell you the reasons why I love it so much. If anyone has ever bothered to read the PRODUCTS USED under most of the tutorials I do, they would notice this foundation being mentioned as a regular these days. Its been a while I have started using this as it goes not only untraceable on my face (I would not land up cakey faced as a guy) and really hides the imperfections giving me a silky smooth skin I ever desired.


Anyways, lets see how beautiful and worthwhile this foundation is..........

Friday, December 21, 2012

Magical Christmas look.........

(with false lashes)

This is an exaggerated and a little more dramatic (way more dramatic) version of Charlotte Tilbury's version of the glittery party eye. All thanks to the Illamasqua eyeshadow in Sex that made it so bright and beautiful (a bit drag like). Also a faintest inspiration comes from one of the uber amazing Christian Dior shows during John Galliano times when the models were made bright and wide eyed by the magician of makeup, Pat McGrath.


This look is very theatrical and can be mellowed down as per your needs. This makeup looks stunning for night time parties and you can also go extravagant with the purple glitter.


(Without false lashes)

So lets see how to achieve this look......

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Review : Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats in Rose Plein Vent

Today I am reviewing the Guerlain Blush 4 Eclats blush in Rose Plein Vent. Its one of the blushers I picked up at the Guerlain Warehouse sale and when I have been ogling on this blush for a long time, I had the opportunity which was god-given to pick up this beautiful blush and give my opinions on it.

(Do not mind the dermatoglyphics)

Lets get to know this lovely rosy blush.............

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Urban Decay - Iconic Smokey eyes


Taking a reference from the booklet provided in the Urban Decay Smoked palette and modifying it to suit the skin tone and color of my medium skin tone, I have attempted to create a lovely smokey eye which is really Iconic and classy. This smokey suits almost all occasions right from work to a party and is really easy and fast to achieve.



Indeed the Urban Decay Smoked palette happens to be the biggest thing after the uber-successful launches and sales of their Naked palettes. Who doesn't want a compilation of shades that can create the most soulful smokey eyes and who would understand the need to look glamorous more than Urban Decay. Although I am a bit worried about the future of this brand after they have passed their reins to L'Oreal group but lets keep fingers crossed as the giant company needs to prove that they have risen about what they were accused for.



This is the reference picture from the lovely instruction booklet provided by Urban Decay. So lets see how to achieve this Iconic Smokey eye in a few easy steps and then how to make it really bang-on smoldering by just adding some extra lash furniture........




Iconic Smokey eye with False Lashes



Iconic Smokey eye without false lashes (more wearable version for daily makeup)

Beauty Explorer : Overhaulin'

This is the last day of me getting berserk and getting some more Guerlain stuff. In total I bought 80k INR (2000$) worth stuff in 3 days (of course at lesser price) and this is the end of shopping hopefully. I have become totally bankrupt now but mentally satisfied like anything.


This is the last haul of the haul series that I bought today at the last minute shopping scene when they were packing. I loathe myself for not being able to pick more than this but its ok....everything has limit and when it comes to money it is quite limited.

For those who need introduction to Guerlain as a brand. Guerlain is a French brand found by its eponymous founder to create luxurious perfumes for the rich and royal Parisian damsels. Today Guerlain is an empire (they do not have fashion) that is synonymous with premium luxury in skin care, fragrances and of course avante garde makeup products thanks to the creative director Olivier Echaudmaison. With strong hold in Europe, Guerlain also rules Middle East and is always inspired by Middle Eastern trends like kohls and terracotta bronzers etc with an added European eclectic flare. Guerlain is compared in competition with highest of the brands in the luxury spectrum like La Prairie, Sisley and La Mer and is known to create collections no one has ever done and ever seen. The collections are not only memorable but make Guerlain carve a deeper niche in quality and of course quantity for which one pays.

Soon I shall be writing a post on how to do  luxury product shopping and hope you find that article useful in getting one of the products you dream of. So lets see what I got in the haul this time.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Review : Guerlain Ombre Eclat 4 coleurs eyeshadow in ROSE BOISE


I wanted to begin reviewing some of the Guerlain products I got yesterday and wanted to begin with the most amazing eyeshadow quad I ever picked up in my entire collection. Its called Rose Boise (Boise in French meaning 'Wood'). Such a beautiful quad to create those quintessential soft glowing smokey eyes and look extremely rich and luxurious is the idea to represent this beautiful gem.



This is the star of the post and deserves that brightness and glow that the camera flash has imparted. Lets see the look and lets see the review for this quad then....................

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Second Super Haul!!!

After seeing the yesterday's post on the haul I made, one of my MUA friends called it Makeup Porn. LOL, why not say so? Its addictive and its crazy and when there is a sale like this for a luxury brand that one may worship then there is no end to what all could be bought and used. I feel a sense of being really special to myself after owning almost 15 and over Guerlain products that could have cost me around 50K worth in the Indian market (1000$). Not to boast about the haul or the hard earnings that I have put in, but Guerlain has really been a dream come true. Thanks to the help of 3 of my friends who made access to Guerlain really possible.

Today again I went to get some more products as I was getting weird dreams of certain products that I wanted calling me to take them home. So there I went again to create another haul here.


I bought all these products from the Guerlain sale today and I am really excited to share with all. I consulted some of my dearest bloggers and friends and with their recommendations I am going to review these products and do looks with them. I would be glad to put some of the most amazing Guerlain products to test under microscope (of human eye LOL) and I shall be buying some new ones every month to add to the panache of luxury.

Guerlain is synonymous with french luxury and make some high end luxurious skin care, makeup and perfumes that have fans raving all over the world. It is in par with brands like Dior, Lancome and Shiseido and actually way pricier than that.

Amongst all the amazing brands that you use, I recommend adding one piece de resistance product from a luxury brand and see how it brightens up the day coz I am shining like a newly polished coin now. I was loathing my birthday as I knew I wouldn't get anything this time as well (people tend to forget my birthdays everywhere and all the time) and this time I could literally treat myself with a dash of luxury at a lovely price.

BTW there is an amazing SURPRISE at the end of the haul........Lets see the products.............

Beauty Explorer - Huge Haul!!


I have to share this huge (really huge) haul of makeup and skin care products from brands like Guerlain, Elizabeth Arden and Clarins at a special RSVP event that I attended thanks to my friend working in one of the brands. It was an amazing opportunity to closely have a look at the brands that I love and get a hand on some of their limited edition and off the purchase order products. These products were sold at a lovely discount and I literally picked up products like crazy and I had no idea of what I picked up until I took a picture. I regret for not buying any of the Guerlain foundations as I was so disoriented there but I managed to pick up some really nice stuff that I had an eye on, all the time.

I agree that all the products I got have been around for sometime but I picked up the freshest stocks they had. These products could be like a warehouse sale of a sort, but they were lovely and made a fine collection for blog posts. You can find them on the Guerlain counter at any given time and would be available until stocks last.
With this, I made my first ever purchase from the Guerlain brand and I cannot tell you how excited I am to share the products. Please read after the jump break to see what all I got.

GIVEAWAY - WINTER 2012 - CLOSED - Winner is Erica Singh


WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY IS ...........

'ERICA SINGH'

Erica please contact Beauty Traveller asap with your complete postal address and contact details so that these products are delivered to on time. 

I thank all of you for participating in the GIVEAWAY and being quite nice all month long. Now onwards the Giveaways would be on 10 day basis and there will be a lot of lovely products to go soon right from a sweet little Max Factor Lipstick to something exclusive from the houses of Chanel, Dior, Clarins and Guerlain......so keep reading and entering.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Congratulations Erica Singh for being the winner of this fabulous Giveaway.




Its another lovely GIVEAWAY coming up for the WINTER 2012. This is an international GIVEAWAY and open for all. For international winner (outside INDIA) I can either send the parcel to a relative in India or send the parcel to the destined place. I do not take any guarantee of international parcels and the subjected customs and duty shall be borne by the recipient. If the shipping costs exceeds a certain budget more than my expectations, then another winner may be announced with an apology note to the international winner. Please abide by the rules as they are in the interest of the subscribers of Beauty Traveller.

 It consists of the following :
  1. Clinique High Lengths Mascara in Black
  2. Elizabeth Arden Eyeshadow in Smoke
  3. NYX Long Pencil in BLACK
  4. UroParis False Lashes
I would also put in a nice lipstick and a smokey eye brush from Kryolan as a special gift for the winner too. Since I haven't decided which lipstick to buy I have kept the image on hold. For my previous GIVEAWAY winner, have a look at the post HERE.

I will be using the famous Rafflecopter Widget to choose the winner. Even though the widget will have all the rules and points that you would enter with, I just want to sum them up.

The GIVEAWAY is scheduled from 16th Nov 2012 to 15th Dec 2012. I shall announce the results after verification of all parameters a winner would be chosen from the contestants.

This GIVEAWAY is not gender biased and is open to all. So please do not feel shy and give it a try. 
DOs

  1. Follow BEAUTY TRAVELLER on Google Friend Connect. You will find the 'Follow' button on the right side of the blog. Just 'Click' and follow.
  2. Subscribe to Beauty Traveller feed by entering your email id in the 'Subscribe' button on the right side of the blog too.
  3. Follow the Beauty Traveller Facebook FAN page. If you cannot find one on the Rafflecopter Widget please click HERE . In the widget you must mention your name if you are NEW or a regular visitor.
  4. Follow me on Twitter on the id @neerajnavare
  5. Tweet about the Beauty Traveller Giveaway to your friends. Do not forget to mention the link for verification in the widget.
  6. Leave a blog post comment. The subject is "Describe your HOLIDAY or FESTIVE SEASON makeup experience. Any lovely memories that you would like to share." I would love to read your experiences in makeup. You can also write about any skin care regimen and how you started and all to make the story interesting.
  7. Please fill all the information in the first 6 points as they will be verified and the person who fails to do so may get disqualified from the Giveaway.

DON'Ts
  1. Do not mention your information, GFC, Twitter id or anything else in the comments. These parameters would not be entertained and would not influence the Giveaway.
  2. You can comment on anything else except the aforementioned stuff.
  3. Please feel free to send any queries regarding the giveaway and any topic regarding makeup or skin care on neerajnavare@yahoo.com


RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY WIDGET


a Rafflecopter giveaway 




Do participate in the GIVEAWAY and don't forget to tell your friends. You can also earn extra points by Tweeting about the Giveaway everyday. 

Till then,

Ciao


Please do not copy any pictures or content of Beauty Traveller without prior permission. Thanks for reading my blog. I don't give 100% on the authenticity of the content here and it is subject to change without prior notice. Please read the disclaimer for any questions.

Friday, December 14, 2012

R.I.P brands and Resurrections and Updates.....

This is a very very old article dated almost 3 yrs back but needs a really revamp and update especially because of the latest happenings around. There are some brands that met dirt while others that were resurrected and they need to be told too. I am resurrecting some of the nicest articles on Beauty Traveller and updating them to create a link and cross link between the old and new. 


  • Prescriptives - a magical brand owned by Estee Lauder Companies had gone into severe internal issues and that led to an end of this brand somewhere in 2009. I could never imagine that this brand would come back again. Although I hadn't used anything from this brand, I used to always be fascinated with the cult favorite and cutting edge products that they had. In 2011 with a million or rather billions of requests PRESCRIPTIVES have started again and relaunched their beautiful brand. Their custom made foundations, fast forward mascaras and so many beautiful products ruled people's hearts and the brand is back and I am sure women who use it are rejoicing.
  • Smashbox cosmetics - it is a brand developed by grandchildren of the makeup GOD named Max Factor. Estee Lauder companies took that decision to buy the brand and run them to give them a global presence. I am really praying that this brand comes to India as there are many many many products that I use and buy them consistently. Right from the Fusion Softlights (in all colors) to their iconic Photofinish Light primer, I rave everything and would be dancing when I see this brand here.
  • Did you all know, Stila and MUFE were once upon a time owned by Estee Lauder? Not any more. Today Stila cosmetics is hail and hearty and run by an independent firm while if I am not wrong MUFE is owned by LVMH again.
  • There existed designer brands like Nina Ricci and they had an entire line of makeup and skin care. Its just that wrong distribution and unethical marketing practices made them withdraw their amazing lines and disappear. These brands were Versace (I don't know whether their makeup line still exists, at least not in India), Carolina Herrera ( this brand with 212 perfume also had skin care and makeup) and not to mention but Prada also had skin care and makeup line. Unfortunately they failed to woo and got lost in time. There was this fascinating brand called Rochas which met its doom too, although they resurrected the clothing line.
  • Scott Barnes - The famous brand of this famous artist who created the 'glow' JLo is known for shut down shutters and stopped operations due to manufacturing conflicts and distribution tribulations. What a brand it was? Strawberrynet.com took away a major of their discontinued stocks from the warehouse and made it possible for some lucky customers like me to have his iconic and most coveted makeup brushes. I treat them as piece de resistance and only use it to create looks for the blog.
  • Cult makeup brands like Jemma Kidd and Becca cosmetics also plan to shut doors and although the news is not confirmed it could be a shock to most of the users. The only hailing makeup brand that has never ceased to impress and always been a heartthrob in our hearts is Bobbi Brown and may it grow stronger than ever and launch themselves in India someday.
  • Did you know Calvin Klein had a makeup line? It has been revamped 3 times and resurrected 3 times too. First when they launched it did not seem to work. So they relaunched as ck Calvin klein beauty and discontinued and now they have again risen like phoenixes with CK One color that has the most futuristic products ever. I am eyeing their eye makeup and of course not to forget, the mascaras. 
  • Brands like Shu Uemura, Bourjois and Max Factor (who originally started the brand in US) stopped selling their wares in US market and can be heavily relied on online shopping and the gift to online shopping these days. I can't imagine Max Factor ceasing operations, but P&G was duplicating every invention of theirs and selling it in the name of CoverGirl that is operational today as well.
Its so sad that so many brands like these go and come and some of them really leave a lasting impression in our hearts. Right from the demise of iconic brands of the early times like Biba to some of the most favorited brands now, I hope we always get the products that we love the most.

_________________________________________________________________________________

OLD ARTICLE


Its not only us that die or maybe the stars or galaxies or everything else. Even the retail industry sees a lot of death. Death of retail brands. Cosmetic brands have come in and stopped at some point of time due to economic instabilities and issues within the company. This post is in the memory of these fantastic brands that couldn't make it in the deadly world of competition. I would call them incompetent; I would call them less strong. Sometimes the management and board of directors of such companies take harsh decisions that unknowingly break hearts of so many people who have been buying cosmetics from them and now have to switch to some other brand. Sometimes its like first love, the next that follows cannot take its place.

If you were a makeup junkie you'd understand this. How it feels when a certain shade of lipstick that you have been using for more than 5 yrs have just got discontinued to make in space for a better color or better formulation. You feel heartbroken and find alternatives. Something like this has happened with these amazing brands.
  1. Tony&Tina was an inspirational brand with cutting edge cosmetics treated with the power of crystals and reiki before they came into the market. Tony and Tina were the husband-wife behind this brand and they made some really good cosmetics. They had eye pencils in the most amazing colors and so were their eye shadows and lipsticks. This brand made so many girls and makeup artists addicted to them that when the day they announced quitting people really lay hands on whatever they could grab so that they could say adieu to this brand with some memories of theirs. I believe the reason was the splitting of the founders and economic crisis the company underwent.
  2. Stephane Marias, a Shiseido brand that made the most out of the world products any company would ever see. Stephane, an ace makeup artist who has donned the faces of Sarah Jessica Parker, a name related to countless photo shoots and fashion shows, founded this brand to give his insight to common people. His foundations were a ground breaking invention, his eye shadow shades came in a million colors and his packaging started the trend of having caricatures and cartoons to give a feel of excitement. Stephane Marias brand could not make it for a long time due to the diversified interests of the founder and the Shiseido management. I was so hooked on a lavender-magenta lipstick from the brand but this is where my dreams and most of people's dreams were shattered. Stephane designed for another Shiseido brand Cle De Peau, another high end cosmetic brand but now Lucia Pieroni designs for it.
  3. Nina Ricci wasn't far behind to bring in the current trends not only in fashion and perfumes but also in makeup. It was a tough decision for them to discontinue the makeup part of it but they did it in 2005. The main interest of the brand focused on apparels and ready-to-wear collections and iconic fragrances they offer. They had lovely lipsticks, blushers and eye shadows in their collections and one could see some really unusual colors Nina Ricci used to offer, liked Pewter, Amethyst, Teal, Olive green which sounds so common now but they were the ones who started the trend. Nina Ricci also had an amazing skin care line that was performing really well in India compared to rest of the world. Was sad to see them depart.
  4. Pupa, an Italian brand that made waves with their iridescent textures seems to have withdrawn their line from here in India. Other brands that withdrew their makeup lines from India were Gosh Cosmetics, Red Earth Cosmetics, Onyx Cosmetics, Carolina Herrera makeup, Studio color cosmetics and so on.
It's a sad demise for these cutting edge brands but we have started to love with the fact that they are dead and continue our makeup lifestyles looking for other options and sometime better ones.

Newer brands that have got in their makeup ranges are Inouvi, Inglot, ColorBar, Golden Rose cosmetics, NYX Cosmetics, Faces Stockholm, Be Yu cosmetics, Makeup Factory (from Germany) and the list goes on and on. I loved some of the innovative stuff that these brands have brought in and looking forward to buy them sometime.

Do share any experiences of yours with an brand that has discontinued or any shade that you raved for and ranting now. After all, some makeup does go beyond the skin's barriers………

Till then,

Ciao

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Naughty Green Holiday look....

This is a look inspired from Vivienne Westwood runway show and the makeup was done by the amazing and uber-talented Alex Box, who also happens to be the creative director of Illamasqua cosmetics. This is a very bright green eye with splashes of turquoise and is apt for summers. But who said that was the rule. One could wear this makeup for holiday and looks tres chic.


I used the lovely BH cosmetics 88 matte eyeshadow palette to do this look.


So lets see how to do this look.........

BH cosmetics Jenni Rivera Palette Review

A TRAGIC NEWS FOR JENNI RIVERA, A MEXICAN SINGER WHOSE SOULFUL SONGS MADE HER A GREAT NAME IN THE LATIN INDUSTRY AND SHE WAS THE ONE WHO DESIGNED THIS FABULOUS PALETTE FOR BH COSMETICS ON HER EPONYMOUS NAME.
ITS REALLY SAD TO SAY THAT JENNI LOVES NO LONGER AND THE REASON OF HER TRAGIC DEMISE WAS THE PLANE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED IN THE REMOTEST AREAS OF MEXICO WHERE ALONG WITH HER, DIED HER PUBLICIST, MAKEUP ARTISTS AND HER MANAGERS.
WE BOW TO JENNI AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.....


(Picture Courtesy : BH cosmetics)
I recently bought the BH cosmetics Jenni Rivera palette and it has sorted my life to a certain extent. Its one palette that I was really looking for and one must if they want an assortment of dramatic colors and to couple them up with blushes coming in the same palette. Its a fantastic purchase for someone who's a bridal makeup artist, an amateur traveller (to a wedding of course) or someone who's a makeup junkie.

(Picture Courtesy : BH cosmetics)

After thoroughly reviewing the palette myself and using it to concoct some basic and dramatic looks I thought this was a good opportunity to review it for my readers. 

Lets have a look........................

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Happy 30th Birthday to ME




Although technically I finished being 30 (6th Dec 1982) I am going to feel proud of being a '30' now....running all the way to the bandwagon and group of 30s and just being myself yet.



Feels a bit weird to wish myself but I'm 30 in I'm lovin' it...(not punch drunk or hysterical)..
Its been fun to have lived and entered the third decade of life and it still feels special as if I were born yesterday and all......Its gonna be a hectic day and I may not be able to make a post so just wishing myself today itself....

Cupcakes and love to all whom I cannot reach in person but without whom Beauty Traveller and ME would be hidden somewhere in a small corner of the world (at least a corner of India right now). ......


Till then,

Ciao



Please do not copy any pictures or content of Beauty Traveller without prior permission. Thanks for reading my blog. I don't give 100% on the authenticity of the content here and it is subject to change without prior notice. Please read the disclaimer for any questions.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Smokey Eye - Russia Inspired

I saw this lovely smokey eye makeup in an article that was from Vogue Russia (not able to find the link) and was done by a lovely artist from YSL. Couldn't recall anything although the picture was imprinted in my mind and this what I could do with a mere memory of the article.


This is also inspired from the makeup looks done by James Kalliardos for Rodarte Spring 2012 (looks better in winters). I love the ideas of Russian ball where they have really mysterious smokey hypnotic eyes that are paired with bright red lips in various nuances and hues and a nicely contoured face. Although Russian women are pale with alabaster skin, this is a trend that can be adapted by women of all ethnicity and look glamorous for few occasions especially holidays.

I also want to stress that articles like these have a global appeal and I hope everyone who comes across the blog likes it. So lets see how to do this look..............

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Perfect LIP!!


Its been a long long long long time since I have done 'application' posts like this. Thanks to a couple of blogger friends who encouraged me to be creative and start posting eye makeup looks and I went overboard doing as many as I could post, forgetting the makeup teacher in me.

Today I am going to talk and share some of my opinions about getting the perfect lip, with or without a lip liner while quoting the benefits of each. So do keep reading........


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Beauty Explorer : Launches and Little Birdie News


Beauty Explorer is a medium to get some news from the beauty and cosmetic industry. It also helps in knowing some interesting facts and is quite a fun to know what's happening around the world and of course the beauty scene in India
In Beauty Explorer today I will be sharing some amazing news that I came across, new products that I found and other random stuff.


Review : Maybelline Volume Express the FALSIES mascara and Hyperglossy liner


I picked up these beauties a few weeks back and putting them to test into various tutorials and also bridals, I have decided to come up with a lovely review that you all might like. Maybelline is always been a go to brand for all MUAs like me to get some amazing cutting edge products that can be used for bridals as well as photoshoots that are on budget. These products are bang on the buck and really do a wonderful job giving high quality results.....

So reviewing these lovelies Maybelline Volume Express the Falsies mascara and Maybelline Hyperglossy liner..........

Saturday, December 1, 2012

In the lap of luxury makeup..



(Image courtesy : Dior)
In a famous movie was a dialogue, 'Jawani jaa ke aati nahin, buddhapa aake jaata nahin' translated as 'Youth goes to never return and old age arrives to never go back'. So true was the philosophy and the idea of the actor. And while thinking about the smallest things like 'makeup' it really holds true especially when it comes to using luxury makeup. This is a simple makeup story of a woman who loves to be in the lap of luxury.

Anyways, this post does not deal with any philosophy as such. This is an article in which I am doing makeup to a hypothetical beautiful lady (who has never used luxury brands like Chanel, Dior, Lancome etc.) and using all the products that I have (some of them I own) to help her take a plunge into the lap of luxury makeup.


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