Make-up Trend: Matte Skin

Pack up your highlighters, ladies. Spring catwalks at the Lakme India Fashion Week showed us models with soft, silky skin with minimal luster and flawless texture.

To get Raagheshwari's seamless, natural complexion, smooth oil-free foundation over freshly washed and moisturized skin, then pat translucent loose powder over your entire face, and dust away excess with a fluffy powder brush. Touch up your T-zone with oil-absorbing sheets.

Rec: M.A.C Blot Film

LFW: Day 2 Make-up Trends

Kollol Datta

The Kollol Datta show, which saw hair swept into a pomaded off centre topknot, paired with a neutral face, and white under eye stick on extensions. Beauty? It may not make an appearance on the street, but definitely had the audience gasping.
Rec: Make Up Forever Lashes 25149 (White Feathers)

Kiran Uttam Ghosh

The center partings and natural waves at Kiran Uttam Ghosh gave us some relief from overkill, as did the soft natural make up, which actually let the garments get all the attention
Rec: M.A.C Select Tint

Neeta Lulla

We didn't see any hair at Neeta Lulla's show, because we only saw ornate, embellished turbans. Bring them on we say, bad hair days begone. The make up though was shimmery, luxe and very very sophisticated, with the emphasis on the eyes.
Rec: M.A.C Pigment in Platinum

Sonam Dubal

Glowing skin, with slight emphasis on the eyes. Cherry lips. Hair swept tightly off the face, held back with hairbands, and a topknot from which strands emerge in defiance of every law of gravity. We give a thumbs up to the look at the Sonam Dubal show.
Rec: M.A.C Lipstick in Dubonnet

Source: Lakme

LFW: Day 1 Make-up Trends

Manish Malhotra

Extensions, extensions, extensions. Superlong, superluxuriant, superbackcombed hair, the way nature never intended it to be. Pair this with silver eyeshadow and a glossy pink pout for true super stardom.
Rec: M.A.C Eye Shadow in Electra and M.A.C Heatherette Lipglass in Style Minx

J.J. Valaya

Smokey eyes rule, and they are paired with a nude glossy lip. JJ Valaya proved that this look can look even deadlier than red lipstick and black eyeliner.
Rec: M.A.C Fafi Eyes 1 Quad, M.A.C Lipstick in Hug Me

Ruchi Mehta

The wide eyed naivette of the purely 'mascara'ed lash extension enhanced nude eye, and matte pink lips is another look du jour. In keeping with the feminity of the them, Ruchi Mehta had her models with an almost bare face and contoured cheeks, and hair that was just that bit in disarray.
Rec: M.A.C Select Tint and M.A.C Bronzing Powder in Refined Deeper Bronze

Source: Lakme

Lakmé Fashion Week Inspired Collection: Tropical Island Looks

Look 1Face

Apply Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact and blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline, to prepare your base. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Desert Rose across your cheekbones for a sizzling summer look.

Eyes

Sweep Shade 3 from the Lakmé Into The Blue Eye Quartet and sweep it across the inner half of your upper eyelid. Follow through by blending in Shade 4 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet. Then, define your eyes by lining your lower eyelid with Shade 3 from the Lakmé Into The Blue Quartet.

Lips

Apply a generous coat of Lakmé Enrich Sheer Lipcolor by Wendell Rodricks in Shade 520.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the tips in Shade 026 for a dramatic finish.

Look 2
Face

Create your base by using the Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact. Blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline. Unleash that Island spirit by highlighting your cheekbones with the Lakmé Face Sheer in Sun Kissed.

Eyes

Apply Shade 2 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet and sweep it across from inner corners of your eyelid to the rim. Then, apply Shade 4 from the Lakmé Purple Oasis Quartet over the outer half of your eyelid and blend outwards for definition. Finally use Shade 1 from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet over your brow bone area.

Lips

Use Lakmé Starshine Lipgloss in Shade 27 and discover how your lips refract the summer sun.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the tip with Shade 029 for added drama.

Look 3
Face

Apply Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact and blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline, to prepare your base. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Desert Rose across your cheekbones for that blazing summer shine.

Eyes

Pick Shade 2 from Lakmé Into The Blue Quartet and sweep it across your upper eyelid and lower lash line. Follow through with Shade 3 from the same quartet and line your upper lid along the eyelash line from the inner corner of your eye to the outer corner. Finish this look off by using Shade 3 on the outer corners of the upper eyelid from the Lakmé Sunlit Quartet.

Lips

Define your lips by outlining them with Lakmé Nine-to-Five Defining Lip Liner in Merlot. Shine out by applying Lakmé Starshine Lipgloss in Shade 67.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Paint your nails with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 025. Highlight the base of the nail with Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 026.

Look 4
Face

Create your base by using the Lakmé Nine-to-Five Flawless Make-up or Lakmé Crème Compact. Blend it evenly across your face and into the neckline. Dust Lakmé Face Sheer in Earth Blaze across your cheekbones to outshine the summer sun.

Eyes

From the Lakmé Sunlit Eye Quartet, choose Shade 1 as a base and sweep it across your upper eyelid. Then use Shade 3 on the outer corner of your upper eyelid and blend outwards. Now, use Shade 4 from the same quartet as an eyeliner along your upper eyelash line. Sweep this color into a winged-up shape for some extra drama. Finally, highlight your brow line with Shade 2.

Lips

Apply a rich, creamy coat of Lakmé Enrich Lipcolor in Shade 521.

Nails

Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Clear Glass as a base. Apply Lakmé True Wear Nail Color in Shade 024. Put on two coats for a subtle, summery finish.

Make-up Trend: Opaque Pale Pink Nail Polish

Wouldn't it be great to have your weekly manicure match a week's worth of outfits? Pale pink nail polish is a universally flattering shade, and it complements all the color trends for spring fashion.

The added bonus of pale pink is that it shows chips less than dark hues. To extend the life of your mani, apply a base coat, to which polish clings. Apply a glossy top coat nightly.

Rec: Essie Nail Polish in Pinkadelic

Video Feature: Removing Make-up With Clint F and An UPDATE on Interview post

This video feature, shows us Clint removing make-up as opposed to putting it on. Clint as well as myself, both stress on the fact that each and every part of your face should be bare after you gave removed your make-up. Always remove all of it, eyeliner, lipstick, concealer, EVERYTHING. It's essential for the skin to breathe as well as make-up can easily clog pores if not removed properly and can cause unwanted blemishes and lead to acne as well. Clint, being the genius as he is, shows us how to take off make-up the correct way, and always remember don't tug on your skin, gently cleanse it. Watch it here!

!!!UPDATE!!!
Sorry girls, I wrote out the video content and forgot to add the update part of the post. Clint has answered all my questions, just waiting on him to answer you readers' questions. It should be posted sometime this week, or next week!!

Make-up Trend: Bright Pink Cheeks

Bollywood's lovelies like Neha Dhupia have a royal flush to match. There's a fine line between a Raggedy Ann doll face and really rosy skin. Neha gets it right every time by emphasizing just the apples of her cheeks.

Tap your blush brush over your wrist to remove excess powder blush before swirling it over cheeks in a circle. Focus on the upper cheek bone for a more fun, young look; aim for the middle of the cheek for a more sophisticated vibe.

Rec: M.A.C Beauty Powder Blush in Sweetness

Make-up Trend: Sheer Bronzer

What do colored contact lenses, Splenda and push-up bras have in common? They're all great fakes. To quickly achieve a believable faux tan, try a gel bronzer applied in a thin, even veil.

Powder bronzers can turn cakey with humidity and perspiration. To get Aishwarya Bachchan's look, dab gel bronzer along each cheekbone, on your forehead and your chin and blend in with a makeup wedge.

Rec: Guerlain Terracotta Fresh Bronzing Gel

Make-up Trend: Ultra-thick Eyeliner

Katrina Kaif shows there's no better way to take your eye makeup from boardroom to ballroom than with a thick band of matte black along the upper lash line. The look is sophisticated and not too heavy, but also lends a nice focus to the eyes.

Use this trick to brighten the whiteness of your eyes: sweep navy eye shadow along the top of black liner to add a hint of color. Blend it into a blue smoky hue that off-sets redness in your eyes.

Rec: M.A.C Liquid Eye Liner in Boot Black and M.A.C Eye Shadow in Flashtrack

Make-up Trend: Pearlescent Eye Shadow

As we head into spring, a major frost is forecast on Bollywood starlets. Shilpa Shetty confidently bats a white, sparkle-adorned eye, enhanced with touches of gold and lilac.

Rim eyes with a soft deep purple eye liner, then blend into a fuzzy line with a Q-tip. Next, spread a frosty white cream shadow over your entire lid and along the lower lash line with your pinky finger. Finally, swipe a golden beige cream shadow into the crease.

Rec: Nars Duo Cream Eye Shadow in Thebes

Verve and Vogue India's Make-up Trends

Verve's Make-up Trends of the Month:
Purple and Yellow
Purple Preen

Royal and exotic, purple is the trendiest hue this month. A touch of green and peach creates a painterly watercolor effect on your lids.
Make-up Recs: M.A.C Pigment in Violet; M.A.C Eye Shadow Quad in Fafi Eyes 2; YSL Aquaresistant Mascara in Black Abyss

Bold Blast

The trick to wearing intense colors is to experiment by using them unexpectedly – a dash of blue on the nails teamed with powder pink on the cheeks does the trick.
Make-up Recs: YSL Aquaresistant Mascara in Black Abyss; M.A.C Eyeshadow in Chrome Yellow; O.P.I India Collection in Yoga-ta Get this Blue!; M.A.C Blushcreme in Posey

Vogue's Make-up Trend of the Month:
Hyperreal Skin

Hyperreal and exaggeratedly natural skin is the new make-up trend, inspired by 17th-century art and 21st-century technology.
There's nothing sexier than the glow of healthy skin, and nothing signals confidence like a woman who can face the world without make-up. It's perhaps the most sought-after beauty statement, and it's now become the hottest inspiration for make-up looks.
A range of products created to enhance natural appeal takes inspiration from both the Flemish school of art and Photoshop, with an interplay of light and shade and detailed highlighting of the face. Matte and gloss play off each other, and light is the third element...
Rec: Lancôme Color Ideal Illuminateur

Video Feature: Clint F Shows us How To Apply Eyeliner and An Announcement From Juice Fairy

While waiting for the upcoming interview with Clint, I leave you with yet another teaser, in this video Clint shows us how to apply eyeliner. If you notice in the video he shows us two ways of applying eye liner one thing to remember is always dust loose (translucent) powder under your eyes when working with dark eye shadows. Watch the video here.

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I had posted an entry back in December talking about ColorOn Professional Instant Eye Shadow Applicators, here. Fellow blogger Juice Fairy is having a contest, in which she is giving away the Variety pack: applications of the Amethyst & Gold, the Emerald & Gold and the Sapphires & Gold eye shadows. One lucky winner will be announced on the 29th of March. So don't waste any time and go and enter yourself into the contest. Enter here.

Make-up Trend: Terracotta Rose Cheeks

Rose on the apples of the cheeks—with a swipe of bronzey blush in the hollows—adds natural-looking depth, warms up the face, and looks refined.

• For Fair Skin: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush in Vibrant (1) and Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Tranquil Pink (2).
• For Medium Skin: Max Factor ColorGenius Blush in #110 Peaches (3), and Estée Lauder Tender Blush in #213 Rosewood (4).
• For Dark Skin: Tropez Sweet Cheeks Powder Blush in Dusty Mauve (5) and Clinique blushwear in Shy Blush (6).

Source: Allure

Archie Panjabi and Tannishta Chatterjee's Make-up Breakdowns at BIFA

Archie Panjabi received the M.A.C. VIP treatment when M.A.C Pro Trainer Dean Rudd visited her home. To achieve her beautiful evening look, Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Strobe Cream and Select Moisturecover concealer created flawless and glowing skin. Additionally, Cheery Blushcreme added a hint of color on the cheeks. For the eyes, Sumptuous Olive, Honeylust and Freshwater eye shadows were used with Plushlash mascara in Plushblack. Spice lip pencil and Beaux Lustreglass were used to create sexy glossy lips.

Lead actress from Brick Lane, Tannishta Chatterjee, enjoyed her home appointment from Senior Artist Martina Luisetti. She used Select Moisturecover concealer as foundation, Moisturelush Eye Cream was dotted under the eyes. Sincere Powder Blush created rosy cheeks while Costa Riche and Smolder Eye Kohl were applied and Blacktrack Fluidline was pushed deep into the eye lid. For added sex appeal, Reflects Blackened Red Glitter and layers of Mascara X in Black X were used with Number 7 Lashes. For the lips, Plus Luxe Plushglass was brushed onto the lips for the ultimate pout.

Make-up Artist Samantha Kochhar's Tips and Tricks

• The first step is to match your foundation to your skin. A good tip is to test the undertone of the foundation (if yellow or pink) on a piece of white paper.
  Samantha's Rec: Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation
  
  
• To cover under eye dark circles and acne scars or other blemishes, use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your foundation.
  Samantha's Rec: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
  
  
• Eyes are an important part of your face, one which you can accentuate well, especially for an evening out. A lot of good products are available these days for you to experiment with. However, choosing the right eyeshadow color is important. For desi skin tones, the best colors to go for are dull pinks, soft tans, browns or other earthy colors.
  Samantha's Rec: M.A.C Eye Shadows in Pink Source, Bamboo, Patina
  
  
• Sometimes, a color looks different on different people, so to get the exact shade (as it looks on the palette), it is advisable to use a primer before applying eyeshadow. Cover the entire lid up to the lower edge of the brow bone with the primer and do not extend beyond the outer edge of the eye.
  Samantha's Rec: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
  
  
• Always start with a little color on the eyeshadow brush as it is easy to add.
  Samantha's Rec: M.A.C Brush 227
  
  
• To add sheen and give the eyes a more rounded look, dust some gold or a frosted shade on the center of the eyelid and the brow bone.
  Samantha's Rec: M.A.C Eye Shadows in Gorgeous Gold and Ricepaper
  
  
• For a more dramatic look, experiment with blue or violet mascara and green, navy blue or silver eyeliner. Do not neglect the eyebrows - shape them up with a light brown eyebrow pencil.
  Samantha's Rec: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Extreme Blue and Fascinating Violet; M.A.C Liquidlast Liner in Inky and Urban Decay Liquid Liner in Revolver; M.A.C Eye Brow Pencil in Lingering
  
  
• Your blush and lipstick should match not just your outfit, but your skin tone as well. Not everybody can wear pink or maroon lipstick. So try different tones (pinks or browns).
  Samantha's Rec: M.A.C Beauty Powder Blushes in Shy Beauty and Eversun; M.A.C Lipsticks in Mellow Frame and Taupe
  
  
• For a touch of glamour, dust gold or silver iridescence powder on the cheekbones (near the temples) and the collar bone.
  Samantha's Rec: M.A.C Loose Beauty Powder in Drizzlegold and M.A.C Loose Iridescent Powder in Silver Dusk
  

India Fashion Week Beauty Trend: Smoky Eyes

"The look for Varun Bahl's show is very simple yet stunning, just like his clothes. The idea is to use subtle make-up and play up only the eyes," says Yatin.
He gives us the breakdown,

• Let your eyes be dramatic, with a hint of aqua on the inside of your eyelid and smoky grey to almost black as you go outwards. (M.A.C Eye Shadows in Clarity, Smut, Carbon)
  
  
• Keep your mouth plain with nude shades. But here's a little secret -- add a hint of copper gloss to plump up your lips. (M.A.C Lipstick in Sandy B and M.A.C Lustreglass in Ornamental)
  

Video Feature: Clint Fernandes Shows Us A Great Party Look

Clint Fernandes shows us how to do a glamorous, glittery evening look. He shows us step-by-step how achieve it without looking like a three-year-old's glitter project. Click here to watch the video.

P.S. Ladies, Clint has agreed to let me interview him, (he's worked on faces like Katrina Kaif, Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora, Lisa Ray etc.) if there are any questions you would like to ask him, please leave it in the comments by today, 11:59 PM CST! I will not be accepting any questions from the SHOUT-OUT Box. Also while leaving your question(s) please leave your name, an alias or something I can address you by. No Anonymous questions will be answered. Thank you ladies, now ask away!

Hollywood meets Bollywood: Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman looked stunning as she adopted a traditional Indian look on the set of her new film, New York I Love You.

Adorned with lavish gold jewellery, the 26-year-old Natalie Portman donned earrings attached to sahaaray (chains attached to the earrings), maang tikka (jewelery worn in the parting of the head), a jhumar (jewelery worn on the left side of the head), along with a matching necklace (not pictured) and red bangles (not pictured).

But what really struck me was how beautiful she looked in traditional kohl rimmed smokey brown eyes and beautiful red lips.

I will be posting a make-up breakdown for this look soon, for now I shall leave you with pictures of the gorgeous Natalie Portman

Source and Source

M.A.C Senior Artists Vimi Joshi and Gordon Espinet On Make-up Trends 2008

Vimi Joshi and Gordon Espinet

Skin

‘‘It’s the no make-up look that is huge this year, it looks like you’ve got nothing on,’’ says Vimi Joshi, senior artist for MAC, Middle East and India. So foundation’s not just smoothed over the whole skin, it’s applied on strategic spots.
Vimi's pick: M.A.C Face and Body Foundation
Make-up artist Gordon Espinet, for M.A.C votes for an even skin tone, without shimmer. ‘‘The only sheen your face should have is the one that comes from your skin,’’ he says. He further describes it as ‘‘The glow that comes from within when you’ve got incredibly hydrated skin.’’
Gordon's pick: M.A.C Select Tint

Eyes

The eyes are in focus this year and they look super glam. ‘‘When the skin is plain and lips are sheer, the eyes are made up,’’ says Gordon. Stay away from harsh lines made with liquid liners or pencils. Opt for shadows, shades of brown, moss green, beige and taupe, with gold and precious metal shades highlighting the inner corners.
Gordon's picks: M.A.C Eye Shadows in Romp, Soba, Bronze; Velvet Moss; Brule and Satin Taupe; Goldmine, Electra
M.A.C’s favorite make-up trend for the season is maxed-out eyes, with big dark lashes, big dark brows or big dark eyeshadow. ‘‘The doe-eyed look is in,’’ says Vimi. An example: At a recent M.A.C trends show, Vimi gave a model a mermaid look, primping her eye with Minted Eye Kohl and Rollickin' Paint Pot before putting on Shimmermoss Eye Shadow and then highlighted the lash line with Reflects Turquatic Glitter.
She also added that, "Remember that exaggerated eye make-up is accompanied by minimal amounts of make-up elsewhere. So use an intense eyeshadow and minimal mascara, or massive amounts of mascara and false lashes, but a blank lid and brow."
Vimi's picks: M.A.C Plush Lash Mascara

Lips

"Lips are tricky this season", Gordon says. ‘‘Some of the greatest colors are in fashion, but they’re not easy for everyone to carry off,’’ he says. On the palette are corals, khakis and reddish hues. ‘‘Off shades of pinks, like orange and blue-toned pinks, are still very big,’’ he adds.
The in-your-face glossy sheen that’s been ruling make-up season after season has given way to a creamy matte lip, says Vimi.
Vimi and Gordon's picks: M.A.C Mattene Lipsticks in Seriously Rich, Tango, Orange Dare, Powersuit

WLIFW: Rajesh Pratap Singh BACKSTAGE

If made up faces during Fashion Week are a rule, Rajesh Pratap Singh's models were an exception, for his show. The models walking for his show looked strikingly different. It was an alluring mix -- completely nude, yet demure and sexy.

Make-up artists Yatin and Jojo shared the secret of this subtle yet hot look. Jojo seemed thrilled about the new look on the ramp. "It is clean, natural and very real," he said. They show us how to get this look.

This look can be a bit difficult for the not-so-regular users of make-up. A little practice can help. You need to shade the contours of your face (M.A.C Bronzing Powder in Matte Bronze) and highlight certain areas, like the sides of your nose and jaw line (M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish in Warmed). Then give your cheeks definition, accentuating them with a neutral shade of blush (M.A.C Powder Blush in Trace Gold). Apply a nude shade of eyeshadow (M.A.C Eye Shadow in Naked Lunch) with just a little shimmer to the center of the eyelid to bring out that sparkle in your eyes. And don't forget to complete your eye make-up with loads of mascara (M.A.C Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack). There's no gloss for those lips. But a neutral shade of matte lipstick (M.A.C Lipstick in Blankety)-- slightly lighter than the natural color of your lips -- should complete the look, perfectly.