Mickey Contractor Speaks to Vogue India

Make-up guru Mickey Contractor is the A-list and Bollywood's darling but his essential everyday make-up tips are perfect for every woman who wants to look her best.

On using foundation
Foundations that are too light can make you look chalky; they won’t make you look fairer. The trick is to match foundation to your neck, and not the back of your hand. Foundation can oxidize and make your skin look dull and gray, so try it for a day before you buy.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid

Blend, blend, blend
Not blending make-up properly is a common mistake. When foundation looks blotchy, it means it hasn’t been blended well. Foundation that’s blended well looks natural and has a clean finish. Apply moisturizer first: on the face, particularly under the eyes, and down the neck. When you apply foundation next, it blends easily and looks natural. Use the right tools: either a foundation brush or sponge. Don’t wear too much or too little; always start with less, and if you feel you need more, apply a second layer and blend towards the ears, neck, and hairline.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Studio Moisture Fix SPF 15

Think holistically
Pay attention to little details: nails, eyebrows, skin and hair. If your hair isn’t washed, wear it up; if your brows are messy, take a few minutes with a tweezer; if your nails are broken, file them down. As for skin, there should be a daily regime – the minimum is cleanser and moisturizer.
Mickey's Favorite: M.A.C Green Gel Cleanser

Source: Vogue India

Make-up Trend: Cream Blush

As the mercury starts to rise, blush might wear out during the day. Rather than submitting to melting makeup, try cream formulas. The sheer, weightless wash of color they impart on skin lasts for hours.

To get a soft glow like Malaika Arora Khan, lightly swirl two fingers over your blush. Then tap fingers along your cheekbones and gently blend downward.

Rec: Revlon Cream Blush in Berry Flirtatious

LFW Part 2: Make-up Artists Tell Us How To Achieve Runway Looks

Suneet Varma

Jojo and Yatan tell us how we can achieve Suneet Varma’s "traditional Japanese" look:

• Apply dramatic eye liner (M.A.C Boot Black Eyeliner) and red lipstick (M.A.C Russian Red Lipstick) for rosebud mouths on an otherwise neutral canvas.
  
  
• Since you're going for strong eye and lip make-up, you might not need blush at all. Use liquid tint (M.A.C Improper Copper Cream Color Base) instead. Go gradually, patting a bit on and blending it out; liquid tints stain the cheek with colour, and the intensity is hard to reduce once it's on. They also dry fast, so you have to blend quickly.
  

LFW Part 1: Make-up Artists Tell Us How To Achieve Runway Looks

Vijay Arora

Here's how you can achieve Vijay Arora's 'Amy Winehouse meets Sharmila Tagore look. His inspiration continues to be Amy Winehouse. Mickey Contractor calls this look a young Sharmila Tagore eyes with a very soft mouth:

• Line the lower lash line with M.A.C Costa Riche Eye Kohl and then apply M.A.C Blacktrack Fludiline on the top lash line. Make it dramatic by applying M.A.C Boot Black Liquid Liner by progressively thickening the line outwards.
  
  
• Use M.A.C Prrr Lipglass for a very soft mouth.
  
  
• Mickey Contractor gave a soft illumination to the models' skin with M.A.C Strobe Liquid
  

Source: Vogue India

Make-up Trend: Metallic Green Eye Shadow

Everyone was green with envy over Kareena Kapoor's alluring gaze for this cover shoot. She infused a normally-heavy smokey eye with a burst of refreshing olive just in time for summer. The result? Irresistible bohemian smolder, just what Clint suggested here.

There's a rule this summer, don't match your eyes to your outfit! Instead make greens work so they make your eyes pop. With metallics, you have more liberty —they take on different hues in the light.

Rec: L'Oreal Wear Infinite eye shadow in Golden Olive

Clint Fernandes Speaks to Vogue India

Make-up artist Clint Fernandes, who has been involved with the Lakme Fashion Week for years, speaks on the "smudged kohl" look, how to work psychedelic into your look, make-up for daywear...

On the 'it' make-up trend for spring summer 2008
The "smudged kohl" look is very in for the season and it is a look that Indian women are not unfamiliar with. It is the glam bohemian look that is very in for the moment.

On wearing the psychedelic look at a party without looking 'made up' and experimental
To wear psychedelic colors without looking ridiculous is to minimize and restrict its usage to an "only where need be" basis. Using colors on the eyes should be controlled; for the nails you can be more experimental.

On lipsticks that compliment the desi complexion
Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Midnight Rose, Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Color Lipshine SPF 15 in Antigua and Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick in Barcelona Red

On a key red carpet look
Smokey eyes with a dramatic mouth works well for the red carpet! Wear with straight long hair or very sculpted curls.

On make-up for daywear
Just kohl on the eyes with mascara and a translucent pink lip color looks great! When worn with just a light compact, it works well for a summer day.

Make-up Trend: Enhanced Lashes

Want a flutter like Preity Zinta? A lash curler can get you only so far. Attach small clusters of fake lashes along the outer half of each top lashline. A full band of lashes are best left to on-stage performers.

To keep your faux flutters a secret, be sure to use a gray lash glue (conventional adhesive dries looking white).

Rec:Ardell Duralash Naturals Individual Lashes

Make-up Trend: Creamy Lipstick

Imagine mixing the rich hue of your everyday lipstick with the moisturizing qualities of a lip balm. Dry, cakey lipsticks of the past made pouts look anything but kissable. But the latest crop of conditioning lipsticks glide on smooth and leave your lips buttery soft like Madhuri's .

To make creamy lipstick look fresh and modern (a little less granny), dab a matching gloss over the middle of the upper and lower lips.

Rec: Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color

Make-up Trend: Full Brows

Thick waxes are best for wax museums! If you want Kajol's delicate, lush arches, use a firm brow pencil with a subtle color payoff. Use a pencil-to-powder formulations that never melt away and really help you build the shape of your natural brows.

Wooden pencils need constant sharpening and are too thick and waxy. Instead, save yourself time by investing in a retractable, mechanical version with a thin tip.

Rec: Vanitymark by Brett Freedman Ultra-Brow pencil

Make-up Trend: Barely There Color

Go brushless and use your fingers. Pat on peach blush and eyeshadow; follow with black mascara and nude gloss. Katrina, is a makeup minimalist in real life, too: "I can't apply a straight line on my upper lid to save my life."

Rec: Bobbi Brown Nude Lip and Eye Palette

Make-up Trend: Cheekbone Highlighter

By drawing light to the flat planes of her face, Sameera has a three-dimensional look on the cheekbone. It's anti-contouring.

Easily enhance your bone structure in the same way by sweeping brightener from below the brows around to the cheekbones in a C-shape that follows the line of the eye socket.

Rec: NARS The Multiple in Maui

Make-up Trend: Sexy Red Lips

Vinyl lacquered red lips work wonders on the runway and during photo shoots, but they're a challenge for the rest of us to pull off. To look sexy but not sexpot, tame the shine like Kareena Kapoor without muting it entirely.

Contrary to legend, there is a red lipstick for everyone. If you have pale or pink-toned skin, choose a blue-based shade; if your skin is olive, peachy or tan, opt for a yellow-based hue.

Rec: Boots New Botanics Lipstick Japanese Cherry

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Cannes Day 3 Make-up Breakdown

Skin
Day 3 of the film festival, L'Oreal Derma Genesis Day Cream was applied to give her skin perfect elements of plumping, tautening and illuminating; and it contains SPF 15. The cream also prepped the skin as a base for the foundation to be smoothed over. To remove Ash's make-up the make-up artist used L'Oreal Demaq Expert Le Devient Tonique which is a milky cleanser that can also be used as a toner. This was perfect for her dry skin!

Face
The make-up artist went back to using Mineral Foundation today. L'Oreal Accord Parfait Mineral Foundation in D5 Sable Dore was buffed in to give her glowy and perfectly even skin tone. L'Oreal Touche Magique Correcteur in 4 Beige Dore, was used to conceal Ash's under eye circles and a few blemishes on her face. To give Ash that slightly flushed look, the make-up artist used L'Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Blush in 50 Tendre Bois De Rose.

Eyes
L'Oreal Colour Appeal Mono Eye Shadow in 21 Beige Dore was applied on the lids to make her gorgeous green eyes pop. L'Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss was used to apply a thin line on her upper lids. L'Oreal Volume Shocking Exacte Brush Mascara was applied in three coats to give Aishwarya's lashes volume and thickness.

Lips
L'Oreal Colour Riche Made For Me Natural Lipstick in 230 Pashmina, which has a touch of pink and apricot, was applied to Ash's lips for the perfect finish.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Cannes Day 2 Make-up Breakdown

Skin
Day 2 of the film festival, L'Oreal Derma Genesis Day Cream was applied to give her skin perfect elements of plumping, tautening and illuminating; and it contains SPF 15. The cream also prepped the skin as a base for the foundation to be smoothed over.

Face
Instead of using mineral foundation today, the make-up artist decided to use L'Oreal Visible Lift Firming Foundation in 24 Miel Eclat, which is a tinted moisturizer, to give Ash a dewy, and youthful appearance. Her cheeks were a peachy rose, the make-up artist used L'Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Blush in 50 Tendre Bois De Rose.

Eyes
L'Oreal Colour Appeal Mono Eye Shadow in 21 Beige Dore was applied on the lids to compliment her peachy nude Armani dress. L'Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss was used to line her upper lids, the make-up artist proceeded to wing the liner for a cat eye effect, and then lined her lower lash line as well. L'Oreal Volume Shocking Exacte Brush Mascara was applied in three coats to give Aishwarya curvy and long lashes.

Lips
Aishwarya's lips were kept glossy today by applying two coats of L'Oreal Glamshine Gloss 6H in 103 Forever Nude.

Make-up Trend: Defined Lips

Some women's beauty aversions are fear-based. We avoid false lashes because they may fall off. Or we pass up on lip liner for fear of a harsh border. But thanks to celerities like Malaika Arora Khan, we can enhance the shape our lips in a pinch and look natural.

Line just along the inside of the lip line using a pencil one shade darker than the natural color of your lips. Lock color in place with by drawing around the outside of the lip line with a matte nude pencil.

Rec: Duwop Reverse Lip Liner

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Cannes Day 1 Make-up Breakdown

Skin
L'Oreal Derma Genesis Day Cream was applied generously to give her skin perfect elements of plumping, tautening and illuminating; and it contains SPF 15 which was perfect for the afternoon sun at France

Face
Aishwarya's skin is flawless, all it needed was to be evened out. The make-up artist applied L'Oreal Accord Parfait Mineral Foundation in D5 Sable Dore to her entire face using the brush provided with the powder. Instead of brushing it into the skin, it was buffed into her face to give her skin a radiant, yet glowy look. L'Oreal True Match Blush in 155 Sable was applied to the apples of her cheeks to give them a hint of color as well as compliment her smokey eyes.

Eyes
L'Oreal Contour Khôl in 131 Noir Intense was used as a base for the smokey eyes, it was then cleaned up using a stiff angled eye shadow brush, to make it look neater yet smudged. L'Oreal Super Liner in Carbon Gloss was added to line the eyes on the upper and lower lid which made them darker, smokier and gave the eyes a glossy look as the name suggests. L'Oreal Color Appeal Mono Chrome Shine Eye Shadow in Brun Lame was used in the upper crease and outter lids as well to highlight the eye and contour the eyes with a lighter color than the lids. Lastly, L'Oreal Volume Shocking Exacte Brush Mascara in Black was used to give Aishwarya's already curly and full lashes that extra oomph!

Lips
L'Oreal Colour Riche Made For Me Natural Lipstick in 235 Nude was applied for a barely-there-lips look to compliment her smokey eyes.

Make-up Trend: Silver Eye Shadow

This is a very soft, youthful look for Spring. Everyone can wear it, because silver is universally flattering and not harsh.

Use a cream shadow (rather than powder), because if it creases in warm weather, you can quickly reblend with a finger.

Rec: Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow in Galaxy

Make-up Trend: Hot Pink Lipstick

"Kareena thought fuchsia lips would be fun to try for the shoot" says Kareena Kapoor's makeup artist Mickey Contractor. "It adds a pop of color that really electrifies the face."

Use a light nude blush to balance the bold lip.

Rec: mark Glow Baby Glow Luxe Hook Up Lip Gloss in Melon Luxe

Shout-out!

Ladies and gentlemen,

So I've been working for cK Calvin Klein Beauty a little less than a month, as a make-up artist. I love working with people and of course love make-up, so it's the perfect job for me. We are doing complimentary makeovers. So please any of you living/visiting Houston, TX; please stop by, not only do you get a chance to get a complimentary makeover, you get to meet me (LOL!) So, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you asap. Bring as many friends/family/co-workers I don't care. Come and see me!!!

xoxo,
i♥makeup

Make-up Trend: Sparkly Eyes

The paparazzi can turn off their flashbulbs when you wear eye makeup with this much sparkle. Paired with a dazzling dress, this look, as Hansika shows, is positively scintillating for night time.

To open the eye area, apply a light shade of sparkly shadow below and above the iris and blend well.

Rec: Too Faced Kitty Glitter in Purrfect

Make-up Trend: Copper Eye Shadow

Apricot-copper lids give light eyes more pop. But nothing makes a brown-eyed girl sizzle like deep copper eye makeup. Sweep pale beige shadow from lash lines to crease. Apply copper in the creases, and add a touch right under your brow bones to highlight your bone structure.

Adding a darker shade into the crease of your lids give the eyes more dimension. To get deeper into the crease, lightly press a tapered shadow brush along the area from corner to corner.

Rec: Sonia Kashuk Powder Partners Eye Shadow Duo in Take Cover

Meghna Reddy in Tantress Collection for M.A.C Cosmetics

Meghna's Face Chart

I stumbled upon this promo image for the collection that launched back in 2004. You can clearly tell that it's Meghna (Sameera Reddy's sister) coming out of the water. I found the face chart for what they used on her as well. Click on the image to resize it. Most of the products from the collection are limited edition but Refined Golden Bronzing Powder is a definite must-have and is a part of their permanent collection. Go and pick it up for the summer for a sun-kissed and perfectly bronzed look!

Deepika Padukone's Maybelline Ads

Deepika is wearing Shine Seduction Lipcolor in 720 Sunkissed.
In the U.S it would be Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper in 705 Lusciously Spiced

Deepika is wearing Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in 378 Velvety Plum.
In the U.S. it would be C377 Rose Luster

Deepika is wearing Dream Matte Mousse Foundation in Light 5

Deepika is wearing Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Burgundy

In the U.S. it would be Moisture Extreme Lipcolor in Real Raisin

Make-up Trend: Nude and Fresh Make-up

It's usually a challenge to pull off all-over monotone beige without looking like a corpse. But Celina Jaitley shows that adding a hint of pink to lipstick and cheeks brings a blah face from stale to stellar in no time.

If your lips have a lot of natural color to them, neutralize the shade with foundation or light-weight concealer before applying lip color.

Rec: Mally Beauty City Chick Nude Lip kit

Make-up Trend: Mushroom Eye Shadow

The mauve tones in these shades give a touch of warmth to the skin.

• For Fair Skin: Stila Eye Shadow in Puck (1) and Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow in Taupe (2).
• For Medium Skin: Wet n Wild Mega Eyes in Naked (3) and Yves Saint Laurent Ombre Solo Double-Effect Eyeshadow in #4 (4).
• For Dark Skin: L'Oréal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Eye Shadow in Bare Spice (5) and M.A.C Eye Shadow in Remotely Grey (6).

Source: Allure

Make-up Trend: Thin Black Eyeliner

Raveena Tandon is known for loving her black eyeliner. For a screening of a movie, she accentuated them with a clean, fine black rim along the inside of her lids. The effect? Sexy and cat-like without looking smudgy or too heavy.

The inner rims of your eyes are sensitive and should be treated with care. Choose a creamy, waterproof flat-tip liner—and never sharpen the pencil to a fine tip. If your pencil is too pointy, rub it down on your hand before using.

Rec: Tarte EmphasEYES Inner Rim eye liners

Make-up Trend: Pink Smoky Eyes

This is such a great look for a summer fling. It's a great pick-me-up and brightener for the eye. Especially when paired with a bronze complexion, demonstrated here by Amrita Arora, a touch of rose on the lids adds a fresh glow to your look.

Lighten up! Pastel shades are a must with pink eye shadow. A too-dark hue (like berry) could resemble a rash—or worse, a brow wax gone wrong!

Rec: Trish McEvoy eye shadow in Pink Tangerine

Make-up Trend: Smooth, Even Skin

Would you want to look airbrushed in person, like Aishwarya Rai? Say goodbye to orange-peel pores, unsightly blackheads and rough texture. "A weekly at-home microdermabrasion scrub is all you need to get rid off dead cells that collect on the surface of your skin. After a couple of weeks, your skin will be smoother, brighter and tighter," says Dr. Fredric Brandt.

To protect the new, post-scrub delicate skin, use a formula made with polishing crystals (not jagged ground pits or shells) like Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion for the Face, which also contains chamomile and aloe vera to soothe any irritation.

Rec: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion for Face,